Shloka 3
नकुलस्य प्रतीची-दिग्विजयः
Nakula’s Conquest of the Western Quarter
स गत्वा नरशार्दूल: पज्चालानां पुरं महत्,महता बलचक्रेण परराष्ट्रावमर्दिना । हस्त्यश्वरथपूर्णेन दंशितेन प्रतापवान् २ ।।
sa gatvā naraśārdūlaḥ pāñcālānāṃ puraṃ mahat, mahatā balacakreṇa pararāṣṭrāvamardinā | hasty-aśva-ratha-pūrṇena daṃśitena pratāpavān || vṛto bharataśārdūlo dviṣac-choka-vivardhanaḥ |
Waiśampāyana berkata: Sang “harimau di antara manusia” maju dan mencapai kota agung milik Pāñcāla, diiringi roda besar pasukan yang melumat kerajaan-kerajaan musuh. Bala itu penuh gajah, kuda, dan kereta perang, lengkap berzirah dan bersenjata. Ia, harimau keturunan Bharata, menambah duka para lawannya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames martial strength as ethically situated within kṣatriya-dharma: force is portrayed as rightful when organized, disciplined, and exercised under legitimate royal direction to establish or protect political order.
Vaiśampāyana describes a heroic leader advancing to the great city of the Pāñcālas with a massive, well-equipped army—elephants, horses, and chariots—capable of subduing enemy realms and causing grief to opponents.