Shloka 3
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
अश्वृं च तं परामृश्य विषयान्ते विषोपमा: । न भयं चक्रिरे पार्थाद् भीमसेनादनन्तरात्
aśvaṃ ca taṃ parāmṛśya viṣayānte viṣopamāḥ | na bhayaṃ cakrire pārthād bhīmasenād anantarāt ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Setelah merampas kuda itu di dalam wilayah mereka sendiri, orang-orang itu—berbahaya seperti racun—langsung tidak gentar sedikit pun terhadap Pārtha Arjuna, adik kepada Bhīmasena. Dalam keangkuhan dan permusuhan, mereka menganggap kuda korban Aśvamedha sebagai suatu cabaran, lalu memilih ingkar daripada menahan diri, sehingga terbentanglah jalan menuju pertikaian menentang upacara diraja yang berlandaskan dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how arrogance and hostility can blind people to rightful authority and dharmic order: even a sacred royal rite like the Aśvamedha becomes a trigger for confrontation when opponents act 'like poison' and refuse prudent fear or respect.
During the Aśvamedha, the roaming sacrificial horse enters a realm; the local warriors seize it within their borders and, despite Arjuna’s presence as its protector, they do not fear him, signaling their intention to challenge the rite and fight.