Shloka 17
हिरण्यपुरवर्णन–रौद्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Hiraṇyapura Described and the Deployment of the Raudra Weapon
ततो विचार्य बहुशो रथमार्गेषु तान् हयान् । प्राचोदयत् समे देशो मातलिभर्भरतर्षभ
tato vicārya bahuśo rathamārgeṣu tān hayān | prācodayat same deśe mātalir bharatarṣabha ||
Kemudian Mātali, setelah berulang kali menimbang jalan yang wajar di sepanjang jejak kereta, menggesa kuda-kuda itu mara di tanah yang rata—wahai yang termulia antara keturunan Bhārata.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights thoughtful discernment (vicāra) before action: one should assess the path and conditions repeatedly and then proceed in a controlled, appropriate manner—an ethical model of careful, responsible agency rather than impulsiveness.
Mātali, acting as charioteer, examines the chariot routes and the terrain, and after repeated consideration drives the horses forward over level ground, ensuring safe and proper progress.