Shloka 22
नकुलस्य प्रतीची-दिग्विजयः
Nakula’s Conquest of the Western Quarter
महता बलचक्रेण परराष्ट्रावमर्दिना । हस्त्यश्वरथपूर्णेन दंशितेन प्रतापवान् २ ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
mahatā balacakreṇa pararāṣṭrāvamardinā |
hasty-aśva-ratha-pūrṇena daṃśitena pratāpavān ||
vṛto bharataśārdūlo dviṣac-choka-vivardhanaḥ |
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。――その大勇士、バラタ族の虎は、敵国を踏み砕くほどの威を備えた大軍に、戦輪のごとく整然と囲まれていた。軍勢は象・馬・戦車に満ち、武具と甲冑を余すところなく整えていた。かくして敵の嘆きはますます増した。叙事詩の法（ダルマ）の枠内で、この詩句は、正当な命令のもとに規律ある武力をもって敵対の国々に臨むという王者の務めを示している。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic-political principle: rightful rule is upheld not merely by intent but by disciplined, well-ordered strength under command. Power is portrayed as ethically situated when deployed in service of legitimate royal duty against hostile realms.
Vaiśampāyana describes a leading Bharata hero proceeding with a massive, fully equipped army—elephants, horses, and chariots in organized formation—so formidable that it increases the sorrow of opposing kings. In the surrounding episode (as reflected in the Gītā Press context), this aligns with the campaign of conquest undertaken on the Pāṇḍavas’ behalf.