Rājagṛhe Magadheśvarasya yuddhāhvānam — Arjunena saṃyamaḥ
The Rājagṛha Challenge and Arjuna’s Restraint
तत्र चित्राड़दी नाम बलवानरिमर्दन: । तेन युद्धम भूत् तस्य विजयस्यातिभैरवम्,वहाँ उस समय महाबली शत्रुमर्दन चित्रांगद नामक नरेश राज्य करते थे। उनके साथ अर्जुनका बड़ा भयंकर युद्ध हुआ
tatra citrāṅgada-nāmā balavān arimardanaḥ | tena yuddham abhūt tasya vijayasyātibhairavam ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Di sana, seorang raja perkasa bernama Citrāṅgada, masyhur sebagai penghancur musuh, sedang memerintah. Dengan baginda, Arjuna bertempur dalam pertempuran yang amat menggerunkan dan sengit—suatu perlawanan kelam yang akan menentukan kemenangan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights the Kṣatriya ideal of confronting formidable opposition without retreat: sovereignty and honor are tested through disciplined courage, and victory is portrayed as something earned amid real peril rather than taken lightly.
During the events of the Aśvamedha-related campaign, Arjuna encounters the powerful ruler Citrāṅgada. A fierce battle breaks out between them, described as exceptionally terrifying and decisive for victory.