Shloka 20
सहदेव-दक्षिण-दिग्विजयः — Sahadeva’s Southern Conquest and the Māhiṣmatī–Agni Encounter
वृत: सुमहता राजन् बलेन चतुरक्षिणा: । आजगाम पुनर्वीर: शक्रप्रस्थं पुरोत्तमम्
vṛtaḥ sumahatā rājan balena caturakṣiṇāḥ | ājagāma punar vīraḥ śakraprasthaṃ purottamam ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「大王よ、きわめて大いなる四軍（象・馬・戦車・歩兵）に囲まれて、勇士アルジュナは再び、すぐれた都シャクラプラスタ（インドラプラスタ）へ帰還した。戦において諸王を屈服させ、貢納と宝物を集めながらも、敗れた支配者たちをそれぞれの国に復位させた—征服と政治的節度とを併せ持ち—財宝と宝玉、そして贈り物として得た疾駆の名馬を携えて戻ったのである。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic model of conquest: power is exercised with restraint—victory is followed by orderly governance, collection of tribute, and restoration of local rulers rather than needless destruction.
After campaigns that bring in tribute and resources, Arjuna returns to Śakraprastha/Indraprastha accompanied by a large fourfold army, marking the completion of a successful expedition and the consolidation of Yudhiṣṭhira’s political standing.