Shloka 18
Traigarta Attempt to Seize the Aśvamedha Horse; Arjuna’s Restraint and Tactical Victory
ब्राह्मणाश्ष महीपाल बहवो वेदपारगा:,महाराज! प्रजानाथ! उनके सिवा और भी बहुत-से वेदोंमें पारंगत ब्राह्मणों और क्षत्रियोंने धर्मराजकी आज्ञासे विधिपूर्वक महात्मा अर्जुनका अनुसरण किया
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: brāhmaṇāś ca mahīpāla bahavo vedapāragāḥ, mahārāja prajānātha; teṣāṃ śeṣāś ca bahavo vedapāraga-brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyāś ca dharmarājasyājñayā vidhipūrvakaṃ mahātmānam arjunam anvayuḥ.
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「王よ、民を護る者よ、ヴェーダを究めた多くのブラーフマナたちが従った。さらに彼らのほかにも、ヴェーダに深く通じた多くのブラーフマナとクシャトリヤが、ダルマラージャの命により、正しい儀礼の順序を守って、大心のアルジュナに随行した。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined obedience to righteous authority (Dharmarāja) and the ethical ideal that major royal undertakings—especially sacrificial rites—should be supported by learned and properly qualified participants acting according to prescribed procedure (vidhi).
During the Ashvamedha context, Arjuna proceeds as the chief follower/guardian, and many Veda-versed Brāhmaṇas along with Kṣatriyas accompany him, formally and ritually, because Yudhiṣṭhira has ordered it.