Shloka 17
Kubera-prasāda-vihāra and Counsel on Ajñātavāsa (कुबेरप्रसादविहारः तथा अज्ञातवासोपदेशः)
अन्तर्भूमौ च येडगृह्नन् दानवा रथवाजिन: । अनुप्रविश्य तान् बाणा: प्राहिण्वन् यमसादनम्,पृथ्वीके भीतर घुसकर जिन दानवोंने मेरे रथके घोड़ोंको पकड़ रखा था, उनके शरीरमें भी घुसकर मेरे बाणोंने उन सबको यमलोक भेज दिया
antarbhūmau ca yeḍagṛhnan dānavā rathavājinaḥ | anupraviśya tān bāṇāḥ prāhiṇvan yamasādanam ||
Arjuna disse: “Aqueles Dānavas que, escavando para dentro da terra, agarravam os cavalos do meu carro—minhas flechas, penetrando também em seus próprios corpos, enviaram-nos a todos à morada de Yama.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya duty of protection: when hostile forces use deceitful means (hiding underground) to endanger one’s vehicle and mission, decisive action to neutralize the threat is presented as justified within the ethics of battle and safeguarding one’s charge.
Dānavas conceal themselves beneath the earth and grab Arjuna’s chariot-horses. Arjuna’s arrows penetrate into the ground and into their bodies, killing them and sending them to Yama’s realm.