Shloka 14
अर्जुन–उलूपीसंवादः
Arjuna and Ulūpī: Explanation of Śānti and the Maṇipūra Resolution
संरक्ष्यमाण: पार्थेन शरीरे सव्यसाचिना । मन्यमान: स्ववीर्य तन््मागध: प्राहिणोच्छरान्
saṁrakṣyamāṇaḥ pārthena śarīre savyasācinā | manyamānaḥ svavīryaṁ tan māgadhaḥ prāhiṇoc charān, yadyapi savyasācī arjunena jāna-būjhkar uske śarīr kī rakṣā kī tathāpi sa magadharāja ise apanā parākrama samajhne lagā aura arjunapar lagātār bāṇoṁ kā prahār kartā rahā |
Bagaman sadyang iniingatan ni Pārtha—si Arjuna na bihasa sa dalawang kamay—ang kanyang katawan, inakala ng hari ng Magadha na iyon ay bunga ng sarili niyang lakas, kaya’t patuloy niyang pinauulan ng mga palaso si Arjuna.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Restraint and protection offered by a stronger warrior can be misread as weakness; pride (ahaṅkāra) distorts perception and can provoke needless escalation. Ethically, the verse contrasts Arjuna’s controlled conduct with the Magadhan’s self-congratulating aggression.
During the Ashvamedhika events, Arjuna is fighting a Magadhan king. Arjuna deliberately avoids harming him and even protects his body; the Magadhan king, unaware of Arjuna’s intention, assumes his own valor is prevailing and continues to shoot arrows at Arjuna.