Shloka 126
Rājagṛhe Magadheśvarasya yuddhāhvānam — Arjunena saṃyamaḥ
The Rājagṛha Challenge and Arjuna’s Restraint
गोकर्णमथ चासाद्य प्रभासमपि जग्मिवान् | उन सबको मृदुल पराक्रमसे ही जीतकर वे घोड़ेकी इच्छानुसार उसके पीछे चलनेमें विवश हुए सौराष्ट्र, गोकर्ण और प्रभासक्षेत्रोंमें गये
gokarṇam atha cāsādya prabhāsam api jagmivān |
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Nang marating ang Gokarṇa, nagpatuloy rin siya patungong Prabhāsa. Ang mga sumalungat ay napasuko sa banayad ngunit mabisang lakas; at sapagkat napilitan silang sumunod sa kabayo ayon sa nais nito—gaya ng hinihingi ng ritong Aśvamedha—naglakbay sila sa Saurāṣṭra, Gokarṇa, at sa banal na pook ng Prabhāsa.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Royal power is to be exercised within dharma: even when asserting sovereignty through the Aśvamedha, the narrative highlights controlled, non-cruel prowess and adherence to ritual order—following the horse’s course rather than mere conquest for its own sake.
The Aśvamedha horse continues its sanctioned wanderings. The accompanying party proceeds through Saurāṣṭra and reaches major tīrthas—Gokarṇa and Prabhāsa—subduing resistance with measured force and then moving on in obedience to the horse’s chosen path.