Shloka 23
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 dviṣacchoka-vivardhanaḥ |
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Jener mächtige Held—ein Tiger unter den Bharatas—war von einem gewaltigen Heer umgeben, geordnet wie ein Kriegsrad, bereit, feindliche Reiche zu zermalmen; erfüllt von Elefanten, Pferden und Streitwagen und versehen mit Waffen und Rüstungen. Als Mehrer des Leids seiner Gegner brach er auf königlichen Befehl hin auf, um die widerstrebenden Herrschaften zu unterwerfen. Der Vers betont: Eroberung ist hier nicht private Wut, sondern Handeln unter legitimer Autorität und in geordneter Kriegskunst.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames warfare as an extension of lawful kingship and duty: force is depicted as organized (balacakra), properly equipped (daṃśita), and directed toward a political objective under legitimate command, emphasizing responsibility and order rather than personal vengeance.
Vaiśampāyana describes a leading Bharata hero departing with a large, fully armed army—complete with elephants, horses, and chariots—to subdue enemy territories, thereby increasing the sorrow of opponents through successful campaign and domination.