Shloka 33
शकुनेः पुत्रेण सह आश्वमेधाश्वविषयः संघर्षः — Arjuna’s restrained engagement with Śakuni’s son during the horse-escort
गाश्चैव महिषीश्वैव तथा वृद्धस्त्रियोडपि च | आऔदकानि च सत्त्वानि श्वापदानि वयांसि च,गायें, भैसें, बूढ़ी स्त्रियाँ, जल-जन्तु, हिंसक जन्तु, पक्षी, जरायुज, अण्डज, स्वेदज, उद्धिज्ज, पर्वतीय तथा सागरतटपर उत्पन्न होनेवाले प्राणी--ये सभी वहाँ दृष्टिगोचर हुए
gāś caiva mahiṣīś caiva tathā vṛddha-striyo 'pi ca | audakāni ca sattvāni śvāpadāni vayāṃsi ca ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “There were seen there cows and buffaloes, and even aged women as well; also creatures of the waters, beasts of prey, and birds.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a dharmic vision of the world in which all classes of beings—domestic animals, vulnerable humans (the elderly), aquatic life, predators, and birds—are included within the king’s field of concern. In the Aśvamedha context, it evokes the ideal of comprehensive protection and ordered prosperity under righteous rule.
Vaiśampāyana is describing what was visible at the scene: a wide array of beings were observed—cows, buffaloes, elderly women, aquatic creatures, wild beasts, and birds—suggesting a vast, teeming presence around the event being narrated in this chapter.