Shloka 12
Rājasūya-sambhāra: Prosperity under Rājadharma and the Initiation of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Sacrifice
ततो दक्षिणमल्लांश्व भोगवन्तं च पर्वतम् । तरसैवाजयद् भीमो नातितीव्रेण कर्मणा,फिर क्रमशः भगर्गोंके स्वामी, निषादोंके अधिपति तथा मणिमान् आदि बहुत-से भूपालोंको अपने अधिकारमें कर लिया। तदनन्तर दक्षिण मल्लदेश तथा भोगवान् पर्वतको भीमसेनने अधिक प्रयास किये बिना ही वेगपूर्वक जीत लिया
tato dakṣiṇa-mallānś ca bhogavantaṃ ca parvatam | tarasaivājayad bhīmo nātitīvreṇa karmaṇā |
Vaiśampāyana said: Thereafter Bhīma swiftly subdued the Southern Mallas and also the mountain called Bhogavat, accomplishing the conquest by sheer force and momentum, without resorting to excessively harsh measures. In the continuing campaign he likewise brought many other rulers—such as the lord of the Bhargas, the chief of the Niṣādas, and Maṇimān—under his authority, extending the Pāṇḍavas’ sway through disciplined, efficient domination rather than needless cruelty.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a campaign of conquest undertaken for royal consolidation, the text highlights restraint: success is praised when achieved efficiently and without needless cruelty (nāti-tīvreṇa karmaṇā), aligning power with a measure of dharmic self-control.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ digvijaya connected with Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya preparations, Bhīma advances through regions, subduing the Southern Mallas and the Bhogavat mountain area swiftly, and bringing additional local rulers and chiefs under Pāṇḍava authority.