Shloka 156
उलूकदूतवाक्यम् / Ulūka’s Message to the Pāṇḍavas
पुरं तद् भुवि विख्यातं नाम्ना भोजकटं नृप । राजन! प्रचुर हाथी-घोड़ोंवाली विशाल सेनासे सम्पन्न वह भोजकट नामक नगर सम्पूर्ण भूमण्डलमें विख्यात है
puraṃ tad bhuvi vikhyātaṃ nāmnā bhojakaṭaṃ nṛpa | rājan pracura-hastī-ghoḍōṃvālī viśālā senā-se sampannaṃ tad bhojakaṭa-nāmakaṃ nagaraṃ samasta-bhūmaṇḍale vikhyātam iti ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Ô roi, cette cité sur la terre est renommée sous le nom de Bhojakaṭa. Ô souverain, la grande ville appelée Bhojakaṭa—pourvue d’une vaste armée, riche en éléphants et en chevaux—est célébrée dans le monde entier.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a ruler’s worldly strength—renown, resources, and military preparedness—implying that political power is measured not only by fame but also by organized force; it sets the ethical backdrop for how such power may be used in the coming conflict.
Vaiśaṃpāyana describes the city named Bhojakaṭa to the king, emphasizing its widespread fame and its formidable military assets, especially its abundance of elephants and horses.