Shloka 11
Chapter 6: Dāruka’s Report; Arjuna Witnesses Dvārakā’s Desolation (दारुकवृत्तान्तः—अर्जुनस्य द्वारकादर्शनम्)
विदेहावकरोत् पार्थ चैद्यं च बलगर्वितम् | नैषादिमेकलव्यं च चक्रे कालिड्रमागधान्
videhāvakarōt pārtha caidyaṁ ca balagarvitam | naiṣādim ekalavyaṁ ca cakre kāliḍramāgadhān
قال فاسوديفا: «يا بارثا، لقد أذلَّ ملكَ فيديها، وأخضع أيضًا القَيْديَةَ المتكبّر بزهو القوة. وكذلك قهر إيكالَفْيَةَ من النِّصادَة، وجعل ملوك كالينغا وماغَدها يذعنون.»
वसुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical motif in the Mahābhārata: unchecked pride in power (balagarva) invites humbling. Legitimate strength is portrayed as that which restores order by restraining arrogance and compelling submission to a higher political-moral authority.
Vasudeva, addressing Arjuna (Pārtha), recalls a hero’s past feats—bringing down the ruler of Videha, humbling the Cedi king famed for strength-pride, subduing the Niṣāda archer Ekalavya, and forcing the Kaliṅga and Māgadha rulers into submission—thus summarizing conquests and the curbing of overbearing kings.