Shloka 18
राज्ञस्तत् सर्वमाचख्यौ मन्त्री विजयमुत्तमम् । पराजयं कुरूणां चाप्युपायान्तं तथोत्तरम्,मन्त्रीने वह सब समाचार महाराजसे कह सुनाया। अपने पक्षकी उत्तम विजय और कौरवोंकी करारी हार हुई है। राजकुमार उत्तर नगरमें आ रहे हैं। समस्त गौएँ जीत ली गयीं तथा कौरव परास्त होकर भाग गये। शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले कुमार उत्तर सारथिसहित सकुशल हैं
rājñas tat sarvam ācakhyau mantrī vijayam uttamam | parājayaṁ kurūṇāṁ cāpy upayāntaṁ tathottaram ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The minister reported all of this to the king—how their side had won a splendid victory and how the Kurus had suffered defeat. He also announced that Prince Uttara was now returning, having recovered the cattle and driven the enemy into flight, safe and sound together with his charioteer.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical role of truthful counsel and responsible governance: a minister must accurately report outcomes to the king, and victory is framed not merely as triumph but as the restoration of order, security, and the community’s resources (symbolized by the recovered cattle).
A minister informs the king that their side has achieved a decisive victory, the Kurus have been defeated, and Prince Uttara is returning. In the broader episode, this corresponds to the successful recovery of the cattle after the conflict near Virāṭa’s realm.