Shloka 6
Adhyāya 32: Rājasūya-Dīkṣā and Appointment of Court Offices (राजसूयदीक्षा तथा अधिकारविनियोगः)
शैरीषकं महोत्थं च वशे चक्रे महाद्युति: । आक्रोशं चैव राजर्षि तेन युद्धमभून्महत्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | śairīṣakaṁ mahotthaṁ ca vaśe cakre mahādyutiḥ | ākrośaṁ caiva rājarṣi tena yuddham abhūn mahat |
Sang bercahaya (Nakula) menaklukkan Śairīṣaka dan Mahottha; ia pun menundukkan resi-raja Ākrośa—dengannya terjadi pertempuran besar.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames conquest as an instrument of kingship used to establish control and gather support for a larger dharmic-political aim, while acknowledging that even ‘legitimate’ campaigns entail severe conflict and suffering.
During the Pandavas’ expansion campaign, Nakula subdues the regions called Śairīṣaka and Mahottha and defeats their ruler Ākrośa after a major battle.