Shloka 63

अश्वमेधीयस्य हयस्य दक्षिणापश्चिमगमनम् — The Sacrificial Horse’s Southern and Western Circuit

Devanagari script

न्यवर्तन्त महाराज शरवर्षार्जिता भृशम्‌ | महाराज! अर्जुनकी मार खाकर उनके बाणोंकी वर्षसे पीड़ित हुए गान्धार सैनिक उस घोड़ेको छोड़कर बड़े वेगसे पीछे लौट गये

Transliteration

nyavartanta mahārāja śaravarṣārjitā bhṛśam |

Translation

毗湿摩波耶那说：大王啊，健陀罗士卒被阿周那重创，又为凶猛的箭雨所压倒，便弃下祭马，疾速退却。此景表明：当武力被用来护持誓愿之祭礼时，即便骄矜的战士，其攻势一旦受挫，也不得不撤退。

Word by Word

• न्यवर्तन्त: they turned back/returned
• न्यवर्तन्त: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृत् (वर्तते)
• Form: Imperfect (Lan), 3rd, Plural, Atmanepada

• महाराज: O great king
• महाराज: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाराज
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• शरवर्ष: by a shower of arrows
• शरवर्ष: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरवर्ष
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• अर्जिताः: afflicted/overcome (lit. 'made/obtained')
• अर्जिताः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्जित (√अर्ज्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• भृशम्: exceedingly, greatly
• भृशम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भृशम्

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Mahārāja (Janamejaya)
• Arjuna
• Gāndhāra soldiers
• Aśvamedha horse

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharma in action: when a royal vow and sacrificial rite (Aśvamedha) is challenged, the appointed protector uses measured martial force to uphold the rite; those who act aggressively and are decisively checked must withdraw, illustrating the ethical boundary between rightful defense and futile violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Arjuna confronts the Gāndhāra forces who have seized or obstructed the Aśvamedha horse. Under his intense arrow-shower, they are badly hurt, abandon the horse, and retreat rapidly.