Shloka 25
Śaṅkha–Likhita Upākhyāna: Daṇḍa, Confession, and the Purification of Kingship (शङ्ख-लिखितोपाख्यानम्)
यत् कर्म वै निग्रहे शात्रवाणां योगश्चाग्रय: पालने मानवानाम् । कृत्वा कर्म प्राप्प कीर्ति स युद्धाद् वाजिग्रीवो मोदते स्वर्गलोके
yat karma vai nigrahe śātravāṇāṁ yogaś cāgryaḥ pālane mānavānām | kṛtvā karma prāpya kīrtiṁ sa yuddhād vājigrīvo modate svargaloke ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Les actes qu’il accomplit—sa puissance à dompter les ennemis et sa discipline éminente, son effort concentré pour protéger les hommes—furent remarquables. Ayant fait son devoir et conquis une noble renommée par la guerre, le roi Vājigrīva se réjouit à présent dans le monde céleste.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises a kingly ideal: strength against aggressors must be paired with disciplined, focused governance for the protection of subjects. When such duty (karma) is performed rightly, it yields honorable fame (kīrti) and is portrayed as meriting heavenly reward.
The narrator Vaiśampāyana is describing the exemplary conduct of King Vājigrīva—his success in defeating enemies and his diligent care of the people—and concludes that, having gained renown through battle and fulfilled his duties, he now enjoys happiness in Svarga.