Shloka 13
Rājasūya-sambhāra: Prosperity under Rājadharma and the Initiation of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Sacrifice
शर्मकान् वर्मकांश्वैव व्यजयत् सान्त्वपूर्वकम् । वैदेहक॑ च राजानं जनक॑ जगतीपतिम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
śarmakān varmakāṃś caiva vyajayat sāntvapūrvakam |
vaidehakaṃ ca rājānaṃ janakaṃ jagatīpatim |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Ia menaklukkan kaum Śarmaka dan Varmaka dengan lebih dahulu memakai jalan pendamaian. Ia juga menundukkan Janaka, raja Videha, penguasa bumi, tanpa tindakan yang terlampau keras. Namun terhadap Śaka dan Barbara, ia meraih kemenangan dengan siasat—menunjukkan bahwa kelembutan didahulukan bila mungkin, dan kecerdikan dipakai bila perlu.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical hierarchy in political action: victory should be sought first through sāntva (conciliation/persuasion), minimizing violence and coercion; force is not the default but a last resort when peaceful submission is possible.
In the account of subjugations during the Sabha Parva, the hero’s campaign includes defeating the Śarmakas and Varmakas through conciliation and also bringing Janaka of Videha under control, emphasizing controlled, non-excessive means of conquest.