Shloka 6
वज्रदत्तेन सह अर्जुनयुद्धम्
Arjuna’s engagement with Vajradatta during the Aśvamedha circuit
पुन: प्रविश्य नगरं दंशित: स नृपोत्तम:। आरुह्दु नागप्रवरं निर्ययौ रणकर्कश:
punaḥ praviśya nagaraṃ daṃśitaḥ sa nṛpottamaḥ | ārūhya tu nāgapravaraṃ niryayau raṇakarkaśaḥ ||
毗湿摩波耶那说：那位最尊贵的国王重入城中，披挂齐备，登上一头华美的战象；他在战场上凶猛无比，又再度出城赴战。先前被甘狄婆所放之箭击得心神震荡的英勇国王金刚达多已放走了马；如今披甲而出，一到便向帕尔塔（阿周那）猛冲而去。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma as steadfastness under pressure: even after being shaken by Arjuna’s arrows and losing the immediate objective (the horse), the king regroups, arms himself properly, and returns to face the opponent—showing resolve, preparedness, and the warrior’s commitment to duty in conflict.
Vajradatta, distressed by the arrows shot from Arjuna’s Gāṇḍīva, releases the horse and retreats into the city. He then re-emerges fully armored, mounted on a great elephant, and immediately attacks Arjuna (Pārtha).