Shloka 12
वज्रदत्तेन सह अर्जुनयुद्धम्
Arjuna’s engagement with Vajradatta during the Aśvamedha circuit
तमापततन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य क्रुद्धो राजन् धनंजय: । भूमिष्ठो वारणगतं योधयामास भारत,राजन्! भरतनन्दन! उसे इस प्रकार आक्रमण करते देख अर्जुन कुपित हो उठे। वे पृथ्वीपर स्थित होते हुए भी हाथीपर चढ़े हुए वज्रदत्तके साथ युद्ध करने लगे
tam āpatatantaṁ samprekṣya kruddho rājan dhanañjayaḥ | bhūmiṣṭho vāraṇagataṁ yodhayāmāsa bhārata ||
Vaiśampāyana said: O King, seeing him rushing in to attack, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) became enraged. Though standing on the ground, he engaged in battle with the warrior mounted upon an elephant—thus, O descendant of Bharata, he fought without yielding to the enemy’s advantage.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: when confronted by an aggressive assault, a warrior must respond with steadiness and courage, not allowing the opponent’s positional advantage (elephant-mount) to dictate one’s resolve.
As an enemy charges to attack, Arjuna (Dhanañjaya) becomes angry and immediately engages him in combat. Arjuna remains on the ground while fighting an opponent who is mounted on an elephant.