Shloka 22
नकुलस्य प्रतीची-दिग्विजयः
Nakula’s Conquest of the Western Quarter
महता बलचक्रेण परराष्ट्रावमर्दिना । हस्त्यश्वरथपूर्णेन दंशितेन प्रतापवान् २ ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
mahatā balacakreṇa pararāṣṭrāvamardinā |
hasty-aśva-ratha-pūrṇena daṃśitena pratāpavān ||
vṛto bharataśārdūlo dviṣac-choka-vivardhanaḥ |
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Jener mächtige Held—ein Tiger unter den Bharatas—war von einem gewaltigen Heer umgeben, geordnet wie ein Kriegsrad, das die Reiche der Feinde zermalmen konnte; erfüllt von Elefanten, Pferden und Streitwagen und vollständig mit Waffen und Rüstungen versehen. So mehrte sich der Kummer der Gegner. Im ethischen Rahmen des Epos betont der Vers die königliche Pflicht: disziplinierte, wohlgerüstete Macht, die unter rechtmäßigem Befehl gegen feindliche Herrschaften gerichtet wird.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic-political principle: rightful rule is upheld not merely by intent but by disciplined, well-ordered strength under command. Power is portrayed as ethically situated when deployed in service of legitimate royal duty against hostile realms.
Vaiśampāyana describes a leading Bharata hero proceeding with a massive, fully equipped army—elephants, horses, and chariots in organized formation—so formidable that it increases the sorrow of opposing kings. In the surrounding episode (as reflected in the Gītā Press context), this aligns with the campaign of conquest undertaken on the Pāṇḍavas’ behalf.