Shloka 16
वज्रदत्तेन सह अर्जुनयुद्धम्
Arjuna’s engagement with Vajradatta during the Aśvamedha circuit
ततोअर्जुनस्तूर्णतरं रुक्मपुड्खानजिद्दवागान् | प्रेषयामास संक़ुद्धों भगदत्तात्मजं प्रति
tato 'rjunas tūrṇataraṁ rukmapuṅkhān ajiddavāgān preṣayāmāsa saṁkruddho bhagadattātmajaṁ prati |
随即，阿周那怒火炽盛，迅疾向薄伽达多之子金刚达多（Vajradatta）射出直飞之箭，箭羽如金。那伟大战阵之中，金刚达多被箭矢重创，伤痕累累，遂自象背坠落于地；然而即便如此，他仍未昏厥。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Kṣatriya battlefield ethic: decisive action and martial skill are expected, yet anger (saṁkruddha) is shown as a powerful driver that must be ethically governed. It also praises endurance—Vajradatta, though struck down, does not succumb to fainting—suggesting steadfastness under adversity.
Arjuna, angered, rapidly shoots straight-flying, gold-fletched arrows at Vajradatta (Bhagadatta’s son). The blows wound Vajradatta severely, causing him to fall from his elephant to the ground, but he remains conscious, indicating the fight is not yet concluded.