Shloka 213
अश्वमेधीयस्य हयस्य दक्षिणापश्चिमगमनम् — The Sacrificial Horse’s Southern and Western Circuit
अभ्ययु: सहिता: पार्थ प्रगृहीतशरासना: । उसकी सेनामें हाथी
abhyayuḥ sahitāḥ pārtha pragṛhītaśarāsanāḥ |
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: Nagkaisa, tangan ang mga pana at palaso na handang-handang, ang mga mandirigma’y sumalakay kay Arjuna. Ang kanilang hukbo—hitik sa mga elepante, kabayo, at karwaheng pandigma—ay pinalamutian ng mga kuwintas ng bandila at watawat. Nang mabalitaan ang pagkamatay ni Haring Śakuni, nag-alab sa poot ang mga mandirigma ng lupain ng Gandhāra; kaya’t kinuha nila ang kanilang mga sandata at sabay-sabay na rumagasa bilang iisang pulutong upang lusubin si Arjuna.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how news of a leader’s death can inflame collective anger and drive retaliatory violence. Ethically, it illustrates the peril of acting from amarsa (indignant wrath): it unites people quickly, but often toward destructive ends, showing the tension between kṣatriya duty in battle and the moral cost of vengeance.
Gandhāra warriors, enraged after hearing that King Śakuni has been slain, assemble and launch a coordinated attack on Arjuna. Their army is described as a full combined force with elephants, horses, and chariots, decorated with banners and flags, advancing with weapons ready.