Shloka 18
Rājasūya-sambhāra: Prosperity under Rājadharma and the Initiation of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Sacrifice
जारासंधि सान्त्वयित्वा करे च विनिवेश्य ह । तैरेव सहितै: सर्वे: कर्णमभ्यद्रवद् बली
jārāsaṃdhi sāntvayitvā kare ca viniveśya ha | taireva sahitaiḥ sarvaiḥ karṇam abhyadravad balī ||
Setelah menenangkan Jārāsaṃdhi dan menegakkannya kembali di kerajaannya dengan syarat membayar upeti, Bhīma yang perkasa pun maju menyerbu Karṇa bersama semua sekutu itu.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a practical aspect of rājadharma: after victory, a ruler should stabilize governance by reassuring the defeated party and binding them through a clear obligation (tribute), thereby reducing chaos and enabling orderly administration.
Bhīma first pacifies and reinstates Jārāsaṃdhi in the kingdom under the condition of paying tribute, then—supported by the gathered allies—he advances to engage Karṇa.