Shloka 2
Rājasūya-sambhāra: Prosperity under Rājadharma and the Initiation of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Sacrifice
अयोध्यायां तु धर्मज्ञं दीर्घयज्ञ महाबलम् । अजयतू पाण्डवश्रेष्ठो नातितीव्रेण कर्मणा,इसके बाद अयोध्याके धर्मज्ञ नरेश महाबली दीर्घयज्ञको पाण्डवश्रेष्ठ भीमने कोमलतापूर्ण बर्तावसे वशमें कर लिया
ayodhyāyāṃ tu dharmajñaṃ dīrghayajña-mahābalam | ajayatū pāṇḍavaśreṣṭho nātitīvreṇa karmaṇā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: In Ayodhyā, the foremost of the Pāṇḍavas brought under his sway the righteous king Dīrghayajña, a man of great strength—winning him not by harsh measures, but through conduct that was not excessively severe.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power should be exercised within dharma: even when seeking political submission, one should avoid excessive harshness and win allegiance through measured, ethical conduct.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ campaign of subjugation, the foremost Pāṇḍava (identified here as Bhīma) brings the Ayodhyā king Dīrghayajña under control, not by brutal force but by restrained and conciliatory action.