Shloka 16
Rājasūya-sambhāra: Prosperity under Rājadharma and the Initiation of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Sacrifice
ततः सुद्यान् प्रसुद्यांश्ष सपक्षानतिवीर्यवान् | विजित्य युधि कौन्तेयो मागधानभ्यधाद् बली,विदेह देशमें ही ठहरकर कुन्तीकुमार भीमने इन्द्रपर्वतके निकटवर्ती सात किरातराजोंको जीत लिया। इसके बाद सुह्य और प्रसुह्म देशके राजाओंको, जिनके पक्षमें बहुत लोग थे, अत्यन्त पराक्रमी और बलवान कुन्तीकुमार भीम युद्धमें परास्त करके मगधदेशको चल दिये
tataḥ sudyān prasudyāṁś ca sapakṣān ativīryavān | vijitya yudhi kaunteyo māgadhān abhyadhād balī ||
Then the mighty and exceedingly valiant son of Kuntī, Bhīma, having defeated in battle the rulers of Sudya and Prasudya along with their allied supporters, advanced against the Magadhas. The narrative underscores the Pandava campaign of conquest as a means to secure political legitimacy and resources for the larger dharmic objective (the royal sacrifice), while also portraying Bhīma’s forceful energy directed toward a sanctioned end rather than personal vendetta.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and warfare are depicted as ethically constrained instruments when directed toward a sanctioned royal duty (such as establishing sovereignty for a major rite). The verse frames conquest not as mere aggression but as part of a larger political-dharmic program, emphasizing disciplined strength aligned with a collective purpose.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Bhīma, the son of Kuntī, defeats the rulers of Sudya and Prasudya along with their allies in battle, and then proceeds to confront/advance upon Magadha.