Shloka 20
Bhīmasena’s Digvijaya and Tribute Return (भीमस्य दिग्विजयः धननिवेदनं च)
ततः सिंहपुरं रम्यं चित्रायुधसुरक्षितम् | प्राधमद् बलमास्थाय पाकशासनिराहवे,तदनन्तर इन्द्रकुमार अर्जुनने राजा चित्रायुथके द्वारा सुरक्षित सुरम्य नगर सिंहपुरपर सेना लेकर आक्रमण किया और उसे युद्धमें जीत लिया
tataḥ siṃhapuraṃ ramyaṃ citrāyudhasurakṣitam | prādhmad balam āsthāya pākaśāsanir āhave ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then, taking up his army, he advanced in battle against the lovely city of Siṃhapura, well-guarded by Citrāyudha. In that conflict, Arjuna—the son of Indra (Pākaśāsani)—pressed the attack, bringing the fortified city under his power.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined, organized force in the service of a political objective, reflecting the Mahābhārata’s concern with how kṣatriya power should be exercised—through strategy and responsibility rather than uncontrolled violence.
Arjuna, identified through Indra’s epithet Pākaśāsani, advances with an army to attack the beautiful city of Siṃhapura, which is defended by Citrāyudha, and he overcomes it in battle.