Shloka 16
वज्रदत्तेन सह अर्जुनयुद्धम्
Arjuna’s engagement with Vajradatta during the Aśvamedha circuit
ततोअर्जुनस्तूर्णतरं रुक्मपुड्खानजिद्दवागान् | प्रेषयामास संक़ुद्धों भगदत्तात्मजं प्रति,तब कुपित हुए अर्जुनने तुरंत ही सोनेके पंखोंसे युक्त सीधे जानेवाले बाण वज्रदत्तपर चलाये। उन बाणोंसे अत्यन्त आहत और घायल होकर उस महासमरमें महातेजस्वी वज्रदत्त हाथीकी पीठसे पृथ्वीपर गिर पड़ा; परंतु इतनेपर भी वह बेहोश नहीं हुआ
tato 'rjunas tūrṇataraṁ rukmapuṅkhān ajiddavāgān preṣayāmāsa saṁkruddho bhagadattātmajaṁ prati |
そのときアルジュナは怒りに燃え、金の羽を備えた直進の矢を、バガダッタの子ヴァジュラダッタに向けて矢継ぎ早に放った。大いなる合戦のただ中でその矢に激しく打たれ、深手を負った光輝ある勇将ヴァジュラダッタは、象の背から地へと落ちた――それでもなお、意識は失われなかった。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Kṣatriya battlefield ethic: decisive action and martial skill are expected, yet anger (saṁkruddha) is shown as a powerful driver that must be ethically governed. It also praises endurance—Vajradatta, though struck down, does not succumb to fainting—suggesting steadfastness under adversity.
Arjuna, angered, rapidly shoots straight-flying, gold-fletched arrows at Vajradatta (Bhagadatta’s son). The blows wound Vajradatta severely, causing him to fall from his elephant to the ground, but he remains conscious, indicating the fight is not yet concluded.