Shloka 18
वज्रदत्तेन सह अर्जुनयुद्धम्
Arjuna’s engagement with Vajradatta during the Aśvamedha circuit
Devanagari script
ततः: स पुनरारुह्म वारणप्रवरं रणे | अव्यग्रः प्रेषयामास जयार्थी विजयं प्रति
Transliteration
tataḥ sa punar āruhya vāraṇapravaraṃ raṇe | avyagraḥ preṣayāmāsa jayārthī vijayaṃ prati ||
Translation
随后，他又在战场上重新登上那头最雄伟的战象。心神不乱、志在取胜，他驱象向前，直逼毗阇耶（阿周那），以求在战斗中夺取胜利。
Word by Word
ततःthen, thereafter
ततः:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततः (तद्-प्रातिपदिकात् अव्यय)
FormAvyaya
सःhe
सः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
पुनःagain
पुनः:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootपुनः
FormAvyaya
आरुह्यhaving mounted
आरुह्य:
TypeVerb
Rootआ-रुह्
FormAbsolutive (Gerund), indeclinable
वारणप्रवरम्the best of elephants
वारणप्रवरम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootवारणप्रवर
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
रणेin battle
रणे:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootरण
FormNeuter, Locative, Singular
अव्यग्रःunagitated, unflurried
अव्यग्रः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootअव्यग्र
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
प्रेषयामासsent forth, urged on
प्रेषयामास:
TypeVerb
Rootप्र-इष्
FormPerfect (Liṭ), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada
जयार्थीdesiring victory
जयार्थी:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootजयार्थिन्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
विजयम्victory
विजयम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootविजय
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
प्रतिtowards
प्रति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootप्रति
FormAvyaya (preposition)
Speaker
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Characters & Entities
V
VaiśampāyanaV
Vijaya (Arjuna)F
foremost elephant (vāraṇapravara)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadiness of mind (avyagraḥ) and determined effort in one’s chosen duty; in a martial context it portrays the kṣatriya ideal of acting without panic while pursuing the intended objective.
A warrior remounts a superior war-elephant and, remaining calm, drives it forward toward Vijaya—i.e., Arjuna—seeking victory in the ongoing battle.