Shloka 12
Traigarta Attempt to Seize the Aśvamedha Horse; Arjuna’s Restraint and Tactical Victory
एष गच्छति कौन्तेय तुरगश्चैव दीप्तिमान् यमन्वेति महाबाहु: संस्पृशन् धनुरुत्तमम्
eṣa gacchati kaunteya turagaś caiva dīptimān yam anveti mahābāhuḥ saṃspṛśan dhanur uttamam
毗湿摩波耶那说道：“看哪，昆蒂之子阿周那正行进；看哪，那匹光辉灿然的祭马亦在前行。紧随其后的是臂力无双的阿周那，手按其上等神弓。”众人如是传言，既显明此仪式昭示于众，又彰显阿周那为奉事坚战之法而警醒守护。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in action: a royal rite (Aśvamedha) requires disciplined protection. Arjuna’s hand on the bow symbolizes restrained power—readiness to defend the ritual order without needless aggression.
As the Aśvamedha horse roams, people point out the procession: the radiant horse goes ahead and Arjuna, Kuntī’s son, follows closely, prepared with his bow to meet any challenge to the sacrifice’s authority.