Shloka 1
शकुनेः पुत्रेण सह आश्वमेधाश्वविषयः संघर्षः — Arjuna’s restrained engagement with Śakuni’s son during the horse-escort
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vaiśampāyana uvāca | ity uktvānuyayau pārtho hayaṁ kāmavihāriṇam | nyavartata tato vājī yena nāgāhvayaṁ puram ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道：说罢此言，帕尔塔（阿周那）便起身追随那匹随意游行的祭马。其后，骏马回转，朝那伽阿呼耶——即象城（哈斯提那补罗）而去。在马祭（Aśvamedha）的伦理法度中，祭马自由漫游象征王权的承认与试验，而不诉诸无谓杀伐；阿周那随行其后，则是以纪律护持大祭，而非为征服而征服。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power is to be exercised under dharma: the Aśvamedha horse moves freely as a lawful test of sovereignty, and the warrior’s role is disciplined protection of the rite, avoiding aggression unless challenged.
After addressing the Gāndhāra king (as implied by the surrounding context), Arjuna begins following the freely roaming sacrificial horse; the horse then turns back toward Hastināpura (Nāgāhvaya-pura).