Shloka 1
शकुनेः पुत्रेण सह आश्वमेधाश्वविषयः संघर्षः — Arjuna’s restrained engagement with Śakuni’s son during the horse-escort
अफ्-#-#क+ पञ्चाशीतितमोब<् ध्याय: यज्ञभूमिकी तैयारी, नाना देशोंसे आये हरा राजाओंका यज्ञकी सजावट और आयोजन वैशम्पायन उवाच इत्युक्त्वानुययौ पार्थो हयं कामविहारिणम् । न्यवर्तत ततो वाजी येन नागादह्दयं पुरम्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं-जनमेजय! गान्धारराजसे यों कहकर अर्जुन इच्छानुसार विचरनेवाले घोड़ेके पीछे चल दिये। अब वह घोड़ा लौटकर हस्तिनापुरकी ओर चला
vaiśampāyana uvāca | ity uktvānuyayau pārtho hayaṁ kāmavihāriṇam | nyavartata tato vājī yena nāgāhvayaṁ puram ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having spoken thus, Pārtha (Arjuna) set out in pursuit of the horse that roamed at will. Thereafter the steed turned back, heading toward Nāgāhvaya—the city (Hastināpura). In the ethical frame of the Aśvamedha, the horse’s free wandering signifies sovereign authority tested without needless violence, while Arjuna’s following reflects disciplined guardianship of the rite rather than conquest for its own sake.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power is to be exercised under dharma: the Aśvamedha horse moves freely as a lawful test of sovereignty, and the warrior’s role is disciplined protection of the rite, avoiding aggression unless challenged.
After addressing the Gāndhāra king (as implied by the surrounding context), Arjuna begins following the freely roaming sacrificial horse; the horse then turns back toward Hastināpura (Nāgāhvaya-pura).