Shloka 3
Arjuna’s Northern Conquests: Kimpuruṣa-lands, Hāṭaka, Mānasasaras, and the Harivarṣa Boundary
तत्र कृत्यमहं मनन््ये कोशस्य परिवर्धनम् | करमाहारयिष्यामि राज्ञ: सर्वान् नृपोत्तम
tatra kṛtyam ahaṃ manye kośasya parivardhanam | karam āhārayiṣyāmi rājñaḥ sarvān nṛpottama ||
Arjuna said: In this matter, I consider the necessary task to be the increase of the royal treasury. O best of kings, I intend to levy tribute—having brought all the rulers under authority—so that the kingdom’s resources are strengthened.
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kingly priority within rājadharma: maintaining and increasing the treasury to sustain governance. It frames revenue (kara/tribute) as a practical duty of rule, tied to political subordination of other rulers rather than private gain.
Arjuna states his policy/intention: he deems it necessary to expand the treasury and proposes collecting tribute from all kings—implying conquest or bringing them under suzerainty—addressing a superior ruler as “best of kings.”