Shloka 25
Traigarta Attempt to Seize the Aśvamedha Horse; Arjuna’s Restraint and Tactical Victory
किराता यवना राजन् बहवो5सिथनुर्धरा: । म्लेच्छाश्षान्ये बहुविधा: पूर्व ये निकृता रणे
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: kirātā yavanā rājan bahavo 'sthi-dhanur-dharāḥ | mlecchāś cānye bahuvidhāḥ pūrva ye nikṛtā raṇe ||
ବୈଶମ୍ପାୟନ କହିଲେ—ହେ ରାଜନ୍! ତଳୱାର ଓ ଧନୁଷ ଧାରଣ କରିଥିବା ବହୁ କିରାତ ଓ ଯବନ, ଏବଂ ଅନ୍ୟାନ୍ୟ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ପ୍ରକାରର ମ୍ଲେଚ୍ଛ—ଯେମାନେ ପୂର୍ବେ ଯୁଦ୍ଧରେ ପରାଜିତ ହୋଇଥିଲେ—ଏବେ ଅର୍ଜୁନଙ୍କୁ ସମ୍ମୁଖୀନ କରିବାକୁ ଆଗେଇ ଆସିଲେ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the continuing consequences of war: even after a decisive victory, hostility and resistance can re-emerge. It also reflects the epic’s political-ethical realism—kings must remain vigilant, and past enmities may resurface when power is asserted (as in the Ashvamedha context).
Vaiśampāyana reports to the king that many groups—Kirātas, Yavanas, and other mlecchas—previously defeated in earlier fighting, assemble again and come to face Arjuna, setting the stage for renewed confrontation during the Ashvamedhika events.