Shloka 27
Traigarta Attempt to Seize the Aśvamedha Horse; Arjuna’s Restraint and Tactical Victory
हृष्ट-पुष्ट मनुष्यों और वाहनोंसे युक्त बहुत-से रणदुर्मद आर्य नरेश भी पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनसे भिड़े थे ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca | hṛṣṭa-puṣṭa-manuṣyaiś ca vāhanaiś ca samanvitāḥ bahavo raṇa-durmadā ārya-nareśā api pāṇḍuputram arjunaṃ samabhidruvan || evaṃ vṛttāni yuddhāni tatra tatra mahīpate | arjunasya mahīpālair nānā-deśa-samāgataiḥ pṛthvīnātha ||
毗舍摩波耶那说：许多高贵的诸王——心怀欢腾，兵众与车马充足，又因战阵之傲而骄矜——也前来与般度之子阿周那相抗。于是，哦，大地之主，在此处彼处，阿周那屡次不得不与来自诸邦异域的国王交战。此段强调：马祭（Aśvamedha）的行进乃对王权与职责之考验——阿周那遭逢挑战者，并非出于私怨，而是出于王者义务与对合法统治的宣示。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in the context of the Aśvamedha: conflict arises as a function of lawful sovereignty and duty, not merely personal enmity. Arjuna’s repeated battles represent the burdens of kingship—maintaining order and legitimacy when challenged by other rulers.
As the Aśvamedha proceeds, many kings from different regions—confident in their forces and battle-pride—challenge Arjuna. Consequently, Arjuna must fight in many places against these arriving rulers.