Shloka 17
Rājasūya-sambhāra: Prosperity under Rājadharma and the Initiation of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Sacrifice
दण्डं च दण्डधारं च विजित्य पृथिवीपतीन् | तैरेव सहितै: सर्वैर्गिरि्रजमुपाद्रवत्,मार्गमें दण्ड-दण्डधार तथा अन्य राजाओंको जीतकर उन सबके साथ वे गिरिव्रज नगरमें आये
daṇḍaṃ ca daṇḍadhāraṃ ca vijitya pṛthivīpatīn | taireva sahitaiḥ sarvair girivrajam upādravat ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Having subdued the kings of the earth—both those who wielded the rod of authority and those who bore arms—he advanced upon Girivraja, accompanied by all those very rulers.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the classical political idea of daṇḍa (coercive authority) as a tool of kingship: conquest is not only defeating opponents but also integrating them into a new political order, displaying overlordship and consolidating rule.
After conquering various kings, the leader proceeds to Girivraja, bringing the defeated rulers along with him—an image of a victorious campaign culminating in an advance on a major fortified city.