Shloka 12
Bhīmasena’s Digvijaya and Tribute Return (भीमस्य दिग्विजयः धननिवेदनं च)
तत्रस्थ: पुरुषैरेव धर्मराजस्य शासनात् । किरीटी जितवान् राजन् देशान् पञ्चगणांस्तत:ः,राजन! धर्मराजकी आज्ञासे किरीटधारी अर्जुनने वहीं रहकर अपने सेवकोंद्वारा पंचगण नामक देशोंको जीत लिया
tatra-sthaḥ puruṣair eva dharmarājasya śāsanāt | kirīṭī jitavān rājan deśān pañcagaṇāṁs tataḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Demeurant sur place et agissant sur l’ordre de Dharmarāja (Yudhiṣṭhira), Arjuna, le porteur de diadème—par l’entremise de ses propres hommes—conquit les contrées appelées pays de Pañcagaṇa, ô roi.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined action under legitimate authority: Arjuna’s victories are framed as execution of Dharmarāja’s command, emphasizing duty, hierarchy, and the ethical ideal that power should be exercised as service to righteous governance rather than personal ambition.
During the campaign of subjugating regions for imperial consolidation, Arjuna remains stationed in a place and, following Yudhiṣṭhira’s orders, has the Pañcagaṇa countries conquered through his own men/retainers, extending the Pāṇḍava political reach.