Shloka 34
भीमस्य जलान्वेषणं तथा वनविश्रान्तिः
Bhīma’s Search for Water and the Forest Halt
पदातींश्व रथांश्चैव न्यवधीदर्जुनाग्रज: । गोपाल इव दण्डेन यथा पशुगणान् वने
padātīṁś ca rathāṁś caiva nyavadhīd arjunāgrajaḥ | gopāla iva daṇḍena yathā paśugaṇān vane ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Ang nakatatandang kapatid ni Arjuna ay nagbagsak kapwa ng mga kawal na naglalakad at ng mga mandirigmang nasa karwahe, itinutulak silang umatras na tila isang pastol na may tungkod na madaling kumokontrol sa kawan sa gubat. Ipinahihiwatig ng larawang ito ang disiplinadong lakas—kapangyarihang ginagamit upang supilin at ituwid ang galaw, hindi lamang upang magngitngit—sa gitna ng mabagsik na pangangailangan ng digmaan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames martial action through the ethic of disciplined control: even in violence, the ideal leader acts with steadiness and purpose, like a herdsman guiding and restraining a herd—power as governance rather than mere fury.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna’s elder brother overwhelms opposing forces—both infantry and chariot fighters—subduing them decisively; the comparison to a cowherd with a staff emphasizes ease, authority, and control in the midst of conflict.