Shloka 21
प्राग्ज्योतिषे वज्रदत्त-धनंजय-समागमः
Vajradatta Confronts Dhanaṃjaya at Prāgjyotiṣa
स तथा रक्ष्यमाणो वै पार्थनामिततेजसा । धृतवर्मा शरं दीप्त॑ मुमोच विजये तदा,इस प्रकार अमित तेजस्वी अर्जुनके द्वारा जानबूझकर छोड़ दिये जानेपर धृतवर्माने उनके ऊपर एक अत्यन्त प्रज्वलित बाण चलाया
sa tathā rakṣyamāṇo vai pārthānāmita-tejasā | dhṛtavarmā śaraṃ dīptaṃ mumoca vijaye tadā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Though thus being protected—indeed, deliberately spared—by Pārtha Arjuna of immeasurable splendor, Dhṛtavarmā at that moment, in the heat of the contest, released a blazing arrow at him. The episode underscores how Arjuna’s restraint and guardianship are met by Dhṛtavarmā’s aggressive resolve, intensifying the ethical contrast between forbearance and retaliatory violence in battle.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical contrast: Arjuna’s protective restraint (even toward an opponent) versus Dhṛtavarmā’s choice to answer mercy with renewed aggression, illustrating how self-control and compassion can be tested amid kṣatriya warfare.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Dhṛtavarmā, though being protected/spared by the mighty Arjuna, nevertheless shoots a blazing arrow at Arjuna during the battle encounter.