Shloka 7
Rājasūya-sambhāra: Prosperity under Rājadharma and the Initiation of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Sacrifice
वशे चक्रे महाबाहुर्भीमो भीमपराक्रम: । बलवानोंमें श्रेष्ठ महापराक्रमी तथा भयंकर पुरुषार्थ प्रकट करनेवाले पाण्डुकुमार महाबाहु भीमसेनने समरमें पीठ न दिखानेवाले काशिराज सुबाहुको बलपूर्वक हराया ।। ६ १ *3॥ ततः सुपार्श्वमभितस्तथा राजपतिं क्रथम्
vaśe cakre mahābāhur bhīmo bhīmaparākramaḥ | balavānāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ mahāparākramaḥ tathā bhayaṅkara-puruṣārtha-prakaṭa-karaḥ pāṇḍu-kumāro mahābāhuḥ bhīmaseno 'pi samare pṛṣṭhaṃ na darśayantaṃ kāśirājaṃ subāhukaṃ balapūrvakaṃ harayām āsa || tataḥ supārśvam abhitas tathā rājapatiṃ krathum ... |
Vaiśampāyana said: Mighty-armed Bhīma, famed for terrifying valor, brought them under his control. The Pāṇḍava prince Bhīmasena—foremost among the strong, of great prowess, and one who displayed fearsome manly effort—overpowered by sheer force Subāhu, the king of Kāśī, who did not turn his back in battle. Then he went on to subdue Supārśva and also Krathu, a lord of kings.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in its martial aspect: steadfastness in battle (not turning one’s back) is praised, yet superior strength and disciplined exertion can lawfully subdue even a courageous opponent within the context of royal conquest.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ campaign of subjugating kings, Bhīma defeats Subāhu, the king of Kāśī, who is described as not retreating in battle; Bhīma then proceeds to subdue other rulers such as Supārśva and Krathu.