Shloka 10
Rājasūya-sambhāra: Prosperity under Rājadharma and the Initiation of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Sacrifice
सोमधथेयांश्व निर्जित्य प्रययावुत्तरामुख: । वत्सभूमिं च कौन्तेयो विजिग्ये बलवान् बलातू,तत्पश्चात् महातेजस्वी कुन्तीकुमारने मत्स्य, महाबली मलद, अनघ और अभय नामक देशोंको जीतकर पशुभूमि (पशुपतिनाथके निकटवर्ती स्थान--नेपाल)-को भी सब ओरसे जीत लिया। वहाँसे लौटकर महाबाहु भीमने मदधार पर्वत और सोमधेयनिवासियों-को परास्त किया। इसके बाद बलवान् भीमने उत्तराभिमुख यात्रा की और वत्सभूमिपर बलपूर्वक अधिकार जमा लिया
somadhateyāṁś ca nirjitya prayayāv uttarāmukhaḥ | vatsabhūmiṁ ca kaunteyo vijigye balavān balāt ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having subdued the Somadhāteya people, the mighty son of Kuntī (Bhīma) marched northward. By sheer force of arms, that powerful warrior brought the land of Vatsa under his control.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a pragmatic strand of kṣatriya-statecraft: sovereignty is often established through demonstrable strength. Ethically, it invites reflection on the tension between dharma as protection/order and the use of coercive power to secure political aims.
Vaiśampāyana narrates Bhīma’s campaign of conquest: after defeating the Somadhāteyas, he turns north and forcibly subdues the region of Vatsa, extending the Pandavas’ influence and preparing the ground for imperial recognition and tribute.