Shloka 46
बभ्रुवाहन-धनंजययोः संग्रामः
Babhruvāhana and Dhanaṃjaya’s engagement at Maṇipūra
एवं निर्जित्य तान् वीरान् सैन्धवान् स धनंजय: । अन्वधावत धावन्तं हयं कामविचारिणम्
evaṁ nirjitya tān vīrān saindhavān sa dhanañjayaḥ | anvadhāvat dhāvantaṁ hayaṁ kāmavicāriṇam ||
இவ்வாறு சைந்தவ வீரர்களை வென்று, தனஞ்சயன் அர்ஜுனன், விருப்பம்போல் அலைந்து ஓடிக்கொண்டிருந்த அந்தக் குதிரையின் பின்னால் தானும் தொடர்ந்து ஓடினான்.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined kingship: after establishing victory over challengers, the protector continues the Ashvamedha mission by pursuing the freely roaming horse—asserting rightful authority while keeping the action aligned with dharma (order, restraint, and duty).
Arjuna has defeated the Saindhava warriors who opposed the Ashvamedha progress. Immediately afterward, he runs after the sacrificial horse, which is described as moving and running wherever it wishes, as is customary in the rite.