Shloka 27
Traigarta Attempt to Seize the Aśvamedha Horse; Arjuna’s Restraint and Tactical Victory
हृष्ट-पुष्ट मनुष्यों और वाहनोंसे युक्त बहुत-से रणदुर्मद आर्य नरेश भी पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनसे भिड़े थे ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca | hṛṣṭa-puṣṭa-manuṣyaiś ca vāhanaiś ca samanvitāḥ bahavo raṇa-durmadā ārya-nareśā api pāṇḍuputram arjunaṃ samabhidruvan || evaṃ vṛttāni yuddhāni tatra tatra mahīpate | arjunasya mahīpālair nānā-deśa-samāgataiḥ pṛthvīnātha ||
वैशंपायन म्हणाले—हृष्टपुष्ट मनुष्य व वाहने यांनी समृद्ध, रणगर्वाने उन्मत्त असे अनेक आर्य नरेशही पांडुपुत्र अर्जुनाशी भिडले. हे पृथ्वीनाथा, अशा रीतीने ठिकठिकाणी, नानादेशांतून आलेल्या राजांशी अर्जुनाला पुन्हा पुन्हा युद्ध करावे लागले.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in the context of the Aśvamedha: conflict arises as a function of lawful sovereignty and duty, not merely personal enmity. Arjuna’s repeated battles represent the burdens of kingship—maintaining order and legitimacy when challenged by other rulers.
As the Aśvamedha proceeds, many kings from different regions—confident in their forces and battle-pride—challenge Arjuna. Consequently, Arjuna must fight in many places against these arriving rulers.