Shloka 21
न शशाक वशे कर्तु यं पाण्डुरपि वीर्यवान् सो<र्जुनेन वशं॑ नीतो राजा5डसीद् यवनाधिप:,सौवीर देशका राजा, जो गन्धर्वोंके उपद्रव करनेपर भी लगातार तीन वर्षोतक बिना किसी विघ्न-बाधाके यज्ञोंका अनुष्ठान करता रहा, युद्धमें अर्जुन आदि पाण्डवोंके हाथों मारा गया। पराक्रमी राजा पाण्डु भी जिसे वशमें न ला सके थे, उस यवनदेश (यूनान)-के राजाको भी जीतकर अर्जुनने अपने अधीन कर लिया
na śaśāka vaśe kartuṃ yaṃ pāṇḍur api vīryavān | so 'rjunena vaśaṃ nīto rājā āsīd yavanādhipaḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Even the mighty Pāṇḍu could not bring that king under his control; yet Arjuna subdued him—the ruler of the Yavanas—bringing him into obedience. The passage underscores Arjuna’s expanding sovereignty and the political-moral ideal that true power is shown not merely by conquest, but by establishing order and submission to rightful authority.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of establishing political order: Arjuna’s superiority is shown by his ability to bring even an unconquered ruler into submission, implying disciplined power directed toward governance rather than mere violence.
Vaiśaṃpāyana reports that a Yavana ruler—whom even King Pāṇḍu could not subdue—was nevertheless brought under Arjuna’s control, marking Arjuna’s successful extension of authority over distant or formidable kings.