Shloka 6
अश्वमेधीयस्य हयस्य दक्षिणापश्चिमगमनम् — The Sacrificial Horse’s Southern and Western Circuit
ते वध्यमाना: पार्थेन हयमुत्सृज्य सम्भ्रमात्
te vadhyamānāḥ pārthena hayam utsṛjya sambhramāt
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Nang sila’y mapabagsak ni Pārtha (Arjuna), sila—nilamon ng sindak—ay iniwan ang kabayong panghandog ng Aśvamedha at tumakas nang magulo at litó. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito kung paanong ang takot at kaguluhan ay sumisiklab kapag ang pagsalakay ay sumasalubong sa makatarungang pagtutol, at kung paanong ang kabayong handog ang nagiging sagisag ng kapangyarihang panghari na hindi maagaw ng mga humahamon.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When power is exercised in defense of rightful order (dharma), those driven by challenge or greed often collapse into fear and confusion; the verse highlights the moral and political weight carried by the Aśvamedha horse as a symbol of legitimate sovereignty.
As Arjuna attacks and overpowers the opposing group, they panic and abandon the sacrificial horse, retreating in disorder—showing Arjuna’s successful protection of the Aśvamedha procession.