Shloka 6
Arjuna Confronted by Saindhava Forces during the Aśvamedha Circuit (श्वेतवाहनस्य सैन्धवसंघर्षः)
सम्प्रेष्यमाणो नागेन्द्रो वजदत्तेन धीमता । उत्पतिष्यन्निवाकाशमभिदुद्राव पाण्डवम्,बुद्धिमान् वज्रदत्तके द्वारा हाँके जानेपर वह गजराज पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनकी ओर इस प्रकार दौड़ा, मानो आकाशमें उड़ जाना चाहता हो
sampreṣyamāṇo nāgendro vajradattena dhīmatā | utpatiṣyann ivākāśam abhidudrāva pāṇḍavam |
Vaiśampāyana said: Urged on and driven forward by the wise Vajradatta, the lordly elephant charged straight toward the Pāṇḍava (Arjuna), rushing as if it meant to leap up into the very sky. The scene underscores the force of trained power set in motion by human intent, and the moral tension of directing such might against a righteous opponent.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how immense strength (the elephant) becomes ethically significant only through intention and direction: power itself is neutral, but when guided by a person’s will it can serve dharma or be turned into aggression. It invites reflection on responsibility for the consequences of commanded force.
Vajradatta drives a mighty elephant forward; the elephant, seemingly ready to spring into the sky, charges directly at the Pāṇḍava hero Arjuna. The line intensifies the battle-like momentum and sets up Arjuna’s response to the onrushing threat.