Shloka 13

वज्रदत्तेन सह अर्जुनयुद्धम्

Arjuna’s engagement with Vajradatta during the Aśvamedha circuit

Devanagari script

वज्रदत्तस्तत: क्रुद्धो मुमोचाशु धनंजये । तोमरानग्निसंकाशान्‌ शलभानिव वेगितान्‌

Transliteration

vajradattas tataḥ kruddho mumocāśu dhanaṃjaye | tomarān agnisaṃkāśān śalabhān iva vegitān ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana nói: Bấy giờ Vajradatta nổi giận, lập tức phóng về phía Arjuna những ngọn lao rực cháy, sáng như lửa, lao vút trong không trung như bầy thiêu thân bay nhanh.

Word by Word

• वज्रदत्तः: Vajradata (proper name)
• वज्रदत्तः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्रदत्त
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• ततः: then/thereupon
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• क्रुद्धः: angry
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रुद्ध
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• मुमोच: released/shot
• Type: Verb
• Root: मुच्
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• आशु: quickly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आशु

• धनंजये: upon Dhanañjaya (Arjuna)
• धनंजये: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनंजय
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• तोमरान्: javelins/spears
• तोमरान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोमर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• अग्नि-संकाशान्: fire-like, resembling fire
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अग्नि-संकाश
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• शलभान्: moths/locusts (as a simile)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शलभ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• इव: like/as
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव

• वेगितान्: swift, impetuous
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेगित
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśaṃpāyana
• Vajradatta
• Dhanaṃjaya (Arjuna)
• tomara (javelin)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how anger (krodha) can intensify violence and precipitate reckless aggression; in the dharmic frame of epic warfare, the ideal warrior is tested by maintaining steadiness and discernment even when confronted with fiery, fear-inducing attacks.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vajradatta, enraged, launches a rapid volley of blazing javelins at Arjuna (Dhanaṃjaya). Their speed and fiery appearance are compared to moths darting toward flame, emphasizing the ferocity and momentum of the assault.