Shloka 9
Rājagṛhe Magadheśvarasya yuddhāhvānam — Arjunena saṃyamaḥ
The Rājagṛha Challenge and Arjuna’s Restraint
ततस्तमपि कौन्तेय: समरेष्वपराजित: । जिगाय युधि दुर्धर्षो यज्ञविघ्नार्थभागतम्,युद्धमें किसीसे परास्त न होनेवाले दुर्धर्ष वीर पार्थने यज्ञमें विघ्न डालनेके लिये आये हुए एकलव्य-कुमारको भी परास्त कर दिया
tatas tam api kaunteyaḥ samareṣv aparājitaḥ | jigāya yudhi durdharṣo yajñavighnārthabhāgatam ||
ततस्तमपि कौन्तेयः समरेष्वपराजितः। जिगाय युधि दुर्धर्षो यज्ञविघ्नार्थमागतः॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A kṣatriya’s force is ethically justified when used to protect dharma—here, safeguarding a legitimate sacrifice from disruption—so that public and sacred order are not undermined.
During the Aśvamedha context, a formidable opponent arrives intending to hinder the sacrifice; Arjuna (Kaunteya), famed as undefeated in battle, defeats him in combat.