Shloka 14
Traigarta Attempt to Seize the Aśvamedha Horse; Arjuna’s Restraint and Tactical Victory
अथापरे मनुष्येन्द्र पुरुषा वाक्यमब्रुवन् । नैनं पश्याम सम्मर्दे धनुरेतत् प्रदृश्यते,निवृत्तमेनं द्रक्ष्याम: पुनरेष्यति च ध्रुवम् । नरेन्द्र! दूसरे लोग ये बातें कहते थे--“इस भीड़में हम अर्जुनको तो नहीं देखते हैं; किंतु उनका यह धनुष दिखायी देता है। यही वह भयंकर टंकार करनेवाला विख्यात गाण्डीव धनुष है। अर्जुनकी यात्रा सकुशल हो। उन्हें मार्गमें कोई कष्ट न हो। ये निर्भय मार्गपर आगे बढ़ते रहें। ये निश्चय ही कुशलपूर्वक लौटेंगे और उस समय हम फिर इनका दर्शन करेंगे”
atha apare manuṣyendra puruṣā vākyam abruvan | nainaṁ paśyāma sammarḍe dhanur etat pradṛśyate, nivṛttam enaṁ drakṣyāmaḥ punar eṣyati ca dhruvam ||
Then other men spoke these words: “O lord among men, in this crush of the crowd we do not see Arjuna himself; yet his bow is visible. When he turns back, we shall behold him again—for he will surely return.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a warrior’s identity and duty can be recognized through unmistakable signs—here, Arjuna’s famed bow—while also expressing communal confidence and auspicious expectation that one who proceeds with resolve will return safely.
Amid a dense crowd, people cannot spot Arjuna directly, but they can see his bow. They remark that when he turns back they will see him again, affirming their certainty that he will return.