Shloka 19
Traigarta Attempt to Seize the Aśvamedha Horse; Arjuna’s Restraint and Tactical Victory
अनुजममुर्महात्मान क्षत्रियाश्व विशाम्पते । विधिवत् पृथिवीपाल धर्मराजस्य शासनात्
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: Anujam amum mahātmānaṃ kṣatriyāś ca viśāṃpate | Vidhivat pṛthivīpālā dharmarājasya śāsanāt ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “O panginoon ng bayan, maraming Kṣatriya at iba pang mga pinunong naghahari sa lupa, na sumusunod sa wastong kaayusang ritwal sa ilalim ng utos ni Dharmarāja, ang sumunod sa nakababatang kapatid na iyon—ang dakilang-loob na si Arjuna. Kasama nila, napakaraming Brāhmaṇa na bihasa sa mga Veda ang umalalay rin ayon sa tagubilin ni Dharmarāja—na may disiplinadong pagsunod sa makatarungang kapangyarihan at sama-samang pagtaguyod sa isang gawaing panghari na naaayon sa dharma.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in governance: a righteous king’s command (Dharmarāja’s śāsana) is to be carried out in a lawful, ritually proper manner (vidhivat), and society’s leaders—kings, kṣatriyas, and learned Brāhmaṇas—support a legitimate royal enterprise through disciplined cooperation.
During the Aśvamedha-related events, Arjuna, the younger brother of Yudhiṣṭhira, proceeds on his mission accompanied by many kṣatriyas and rulers, and also by numerous Veda-versed Brāhmaṇas, all following him in accordance with Yudhiṣṭhira’s directive.