Shloka 3
अश्वमेधीयस्य हयस्य दक्षिणापश्चिमगमनम् — The Sacrificial Horse’s Southern and Western Circuit
स तानुवाच धर्मात्मा बीभत्सुरपराजित:
sa tān uvāca dharmātmā bībhatsur aparājitaḥ
Then the righteous-souled Bībhatsu, unconquered, addressed them—speaking from a stance of dharma and steadfast resolve.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ideal leadership and conduct: a dharmātmā (one grounded in dharma) speaks with moral authority, and aparājitaḥ (unconquered) suggests steadiness and integrity that are not overcome by fear, pressure, or unrighteous impulses.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, Arjuna (called Bībhatsu) turns to address a group (“them”), marking a transition into his counsel or instructions; the epithets emphasize his ethical disposition and unshaken strength as he speaks.