Shloka 21
प्राग्ज्योतिषे वज्रदत्त-धनंजय-समागमः
Vajradatta Confronts Dhanaṃjaya at Prāgjyotiṣa
स तथा रक्ष्यमाणो वै पार्थनामिततेजसा । धृतवर्मा शरं दीप्त॑ मुमोच विजये तदा,इस प्रकार अमित तेजस्वी अर्जुनके द्वारा जानबूझकर छोड़ दिये जानेपर धृतवर्माने उनके ऊपर एक अत्यन्त प्रज्वलित बाण चलाया
sa tathā rakṣyamāṇo vai pārthānāmita-tejasā | dhṛtavarmā śaraṃ dīptaṃ mumoca vijaye tadā ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Walaupun demikian, ketika Pārtha Arjuna yang bersinar tiada bandingan melindunginya—bahkan sengaja membiarkannya hidup—Dhṛtavarmā pada saat itu, dalam keghairahan merebut kemenangan, melepaskan sebatang anak panah yang menyala ke arahnya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical contrast: Arjuna’s protective restraint (even toward an opponent) versus Dhṛtavarmā’s choice to answer mercy with renewed aggression, illustrating how self-control and compassion can be tested amid kṣatriya warfare.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Dhṛtavarmā, though being protected/spared by the mighty Arjuna, nevertheless shoots a blazing arrow at Arjuna during the battle encounter.