Shloka 17
वज्रदत्तेन सह अर्जुनयुद्धम्
Arjuna’s engagement with Vajradatta during the Aśvamedha circuit
स तैर्विद्धो महातेजा वज्दत्तो महामृधे । भृशाहत: पपातोर्व्या न त्वेममजहात् स्मृति:
sa tair viddho mahātejā vajradatto mahāmṛdhe | bhṛśāhataḥ papātorvyā na tv enam ajahāt smṛtiḥ ||
அந்த மாபெரும் போரில் அவ்வம்புகளால் குத்துண்ட மகாதேஜஸ்வி வஜ்ரதத்தன் கடும் காயத்தால் தரையில் விழுந்தான்; ஆயினும் அவன் நினைவு தளரவில்லை—மயக்கம் அடையவில்லை।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid extreme violence and injury, the verse highlights steadiness of mind (smṛti) as a mark of heroic discipline—endurance without losing awareness, a valued trait in kṣatriya ethics.
In the course of a major battle, Vajradatta is pierced by arrows and falls to the ground, yet he does not faint; he retains consciousness and composure despite being badly wounded.