Shloka 18
Ulūpī–Citravāhinī Saṃvāda: Dhanaṃjaya-patana and Prāya-threat
गृहीतं वाजिन दृष्टवा प्रीतात्मा स धनंजय: । पुत्र रथस्थं भूमिष्ठ: संन्यवारयदाहवे,घोड़ेको पकड़ा गया देख अर्जुन मन-ही-मन बहुत प्रसन्न हुए। यद्यपि वे भूमिपर खड़े थे तो भी रथपर बैठे हुए अपने पुत्रको युद्धके मैदानमें आगे बढ़नेसे रोकने लगे
gṛhītaṃ vājinaṃ dṛṣṭvā prītātmā sa dhanañjayaḥ | putraṃ rathasthaṃ bhūmiṣṭhaḥ saṃnyavārayad āhave ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Seeing that the sacrificial horse had been seized, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) felt inwardly pleased. Though he himself stood on the ground, he restrained his son—who was mounted on the chariot—from pressing forward in the battle, checking him in the midst of the fight.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a warrior context, discernment and restraint are virtues: Arjuna, pleased at the turn of events, still checks his son’s impulsive advance, modeling responsible leadership and measured conduct in battle.
During the Aśvamedha-related conflict, the sacrificial horse has been captured. Arjuna, standing on the ground, observes this and feels pleased, but he prevents his chariot-mounted son from rushing forward in the fight.