Shloka 16
प्राग्ज्योतिषे वज्रदत्त-धनंजय-समागमः
Vajradatta Confronts Dhanaṃjaya at Prāgjyotiṣa
केतुवर्मण्यभिहते धृतवर्मा महारथ: । रथेनाशु समुत्पत्य शरैर्जिष्णुमवाकिरत्,केतुवर्माके मारे जानेपर महारथी धृतवर्मा रथके द्वारा शीघ्र ही वहाँ आ धमका और अर्जुनपर बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगा
ketuvarmaṇy abhihate dhṛtavarmā mahārathaḥ | rathenāśu samutpatya śarair jiṣṇum avākirat ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When Ketuvarman had been struck down, the great chariot-warrior Dhṛtavarman swiftly sprang forward in his chariot and showered Jiṣṇu (Arjuna) with volleys of arrows—pressing the fight on in the wake of his fallen ally, as the battle’s momentum demanded.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya battlefield ethic: when an ally falls, a warrior may immediately press the engagement to uphold his side’s cause and honor. It reflects the relentless continuity of war, where personal loss quickly turns into renewed combat rather than withdrawal.
After Ketuvarman is struck down, Dhṛtavarman—described as a mahāratha—rushes in on his chariot and unleashes a dense volley of arrows at Arjuna (called Jiṣṇu), escalating the fight in response to Ketuvarman’s fall.