Shloka 20
सहदेव-दक्षिण-दिग्विजयः — Sahadeva’s Southern Conquest and the Māhiṣmatī–Agni Encounter
वृत: सुमहता राजन् बलेन चतुरक्षिणा: । आजगाम पुनर्वीर: शक्रप्रस्थं पुरोत्तमम्
vṛtaḥ sumahatā rājan balena caturakṣiṇāḥ | ājagāma punar vīraḥ śakraprasthaṃ purottamam ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: Oh rey, rodeado por un inmenso ejército de cuatro cuerpos, el heroico Arjuna regresó de nuevo a Śakraprastha (Indraprastha), aquella ciudad excelsa. Tras someter a los reyes en batalla, reunió tributos y riquezas; pero restituyó a los vencidos en sus propios reinos—uniendo la conquista con la mesura política—y volvió trayendo tesoros, gemas y caballos veloces recibidos como presentes.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic model of conquest: power is exercised with restraint—victory is followed by orderly governance, collection of tribute, and restoration of local rulers rather than needless destruction.
After campaigns that bring in tribute and resources, Arjuna returns to Śakraprastha/Indraprastha accompanied by a large fourfold army, marking the completion of a successful expedition and the consolidation of Yudhiṣṭhira’s political standing.