Shloka 1
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके ५८ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल ७९ श्लोक हैं) > तीतरके समान चितकबरे रंगवाले। एकोनत्रिशो<ड ध्याय: भीमसेनका फट जीतनेके लिये प्रस्थान और देशोंपर विजय पाना वैशम्पायन उवाच एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु भीमसेनो5पि वीर्यवान् । धर्मराजमनुप्राप्य ययौ प्राचीं दिशं प्रति,महता बलचक्रेण परराष्ट्रावमर्दिना । हस्त्यश्वरथपूर्णेन दंशितेन प्रतापवान् २ ।। वृतो भरतशार्टूलो द्विषच्छोकविवर्द्धन: । वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! इसी समय शत्रुओंका शोक बढ़ानेवाले भरतवंशशिरोमणि महाप्रतापी एवं पराक्रमी भीमसेन भी धर्मराजकी आज्ञा ले, शत्रुके राज्यको कुचल देनेवाली और हाथी, घोड़े एवं रथसे भरी हुई, कवच आदिसे सुसज्जित विशाल सेनाके साथ पूर्व दिशाको जीतनेके लिये चले
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: etasminn eva kāle tu Bhīmaseno 'pi vīryavān dharmarājam anuprāpya yayau prācīṃ diśaṃ prati, mahatā balacakreṇa pararāṣṭrāvamardinā; hasty-aśva-ratha-pūrṇena daṃśitena pratāpavān. vṛto bharataśārdūlo dviṣac-choka-vivardhanaḥ.
Vaiśampāyana said: At that very time, Bhīmasena too—mighty in valor—having approached King Dharma (Yudhiṣṭhira) and received his sanction, set out toward the eastern quarter. He went with a vast, wheel-like host that would crush hostile kingdoms—filled with elephants, horses, and chariots, and fully armed and armored. Thus attended, that tiger among the Bharatas advanced, increasing the sorrow of his foes.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds disciplined power under dharma: Bhīma does not act independently but approaches Dharmarāja and proceeds under royal authorization. Martial strength is framed as legitimate when aligned with rightful command and the larger political-ritual aim (the subjugation of rival kings as part of establishing just sovereignty).
As the campaigns for subduing surrounding regions begin, Bhīmasena receives Yudhiṣṭhira’s approval and marches east with a large, well-equipped army of elephants, horses, and chariots, intent on defeating and bringing hostile kingdoms under control.