Shloka 23
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 dviṣacchoka-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、戦輪のごとく整えられ、敵対する諸国を踏み砕くために備えられた大軍に囲まれていた。象・馬・戦車に満ち、武具と甲冑も完備していた。敵の嘆きを増す者として、彼は王の命に従い、反抗する国々を屈服させるべく出陣した。この詩句は、征服が私憤ではなく、正当な権威のもとで秩序立って遂行される王務であることを示す。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames warfare as an extension of lawful kingship and duty: force is depicted as organized (balacakra), properly equipped (daṃśita), and directed toward a political objective under legitimate command, emphasizing responsibility and order rather than personal vengeance.
Vaiśampāyana describes a leading Bharata hero departing with a large, fully armed army—complete with elephants, horses, and chariots—to subdue enemy territories, thereby increasing the sorrow of opponents through successful campaign and domination.