Shloka 46
अश्वमेधीयस्य हयस्य दक्षिणापश्चिमगमनम् — The Sacrificial Horse’s Southern and Western Circuit
परिवार्य हयं जग्मुस्ततश्लुक्रोध पाण्डव: । यद्यपि पार्थने सान्त्वनापूर्वक समझा-बुझाकर उन सबको युद्धसे रोका
parivārya hayaṁ jagmus tataś ca krodha-pāṇḍavāḥ | yady api pārthena sāntvanāpūrvakaṁ samjñāpayitvā yuddhāt nivāritāḥ, tathāpi te amarṣa-śīlā yodhā aśvaṁ sarvataḥ parikṣipya grahītuṁ pravavṛduḥ | tad dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍu-putra arjunasya mahān krodho 'bhavat ||
毗湿摩耶那说道：般度族的战士们怒火炽盛，向前逼近，将祭马团团围住。纵然普利塔之子阿周那以安抚之言、以理相劝，竭力阻止他们开战，那些骄矜而不肯忍让的斗士仍旧步步紧迫，从四面合围，要夺取那匹马。见此情状，般度之子阿周那大怒。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical struggle between self-restraint and reactive honor. Even when a leader (Arjuna) attempts pacification and avoidance of violence, unchecked pride and intolerance (amarṣa) can drive conflict—showing why mastery over anger is crucial for dharma, especially in politically charged ritual contexts.
During the Aśvamedha context, the sacrificial horse becomes the focal symbol of sovereignty. Some Pāṇḍava-aligned warriors, angered, surround and attempt to seize the horse. Arjuna tries to stop them through calming persuasion, but they still advance, and Arjuna’s anger flares upon witnessing their defiance.