Shloka 3
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
अश्वृं च तं परामृश्य विषयान्ते विषोपमा: । न भयं चक्रिरे पार्थाद् भीमसेनादनन्तरात्
aśvaṃ ca taṃ parāmṛśya viṣayānte viṣopamāḥ | na bhayaṃ cakrire pārthād bhīmasenād anantarāt ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Nang masamsam nila ang kabayong iyon sa loob ng sarili nilang nasasakupan, ang mga lalaking yaon—nakamamatay na gaya ng lason—ay hindi man lamang natakot kay Pārtha Arjuna, ang nakababatang kapatid ni Bhīmasena. Sa kanilang pagmamataas at poot, itinuring nila ang kabayong pang-Aśvamedha bilang isang paghamon at pinili ang pagsuway kaysa pagpipigil, kaya’t inihanda ang daan sa tunggalian laban sa maharlikang ritong nakaugat sa dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how arrogance and hostility can blind people to rightful authority and dharmic order: even a sacred royal rite like the Aśvamedha becomes a trigger for confrontation when opponents act 'like poison' and refuse prudent fear or respect.
During the Aśvamedha, the roaming sacrificial horse enters a realm; the local warriors seize it within their borders and, despite Arjuna’s presence as its protector, they do not fear him, signaling their intention to challenge the rite and fight.