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 |
वैशंपायन म्हणाले—जनमेजया! त्याच वेळी भरतवंशातील व्याघ्र असा महाप्रतापी, शत्रूंचा शोक वाढविणारा भीमसेन धर्मराजाच्या आज्ञेनुसार, हत्ती-घोडे-रथांनी परिपूर्ण व शस्त्र-कवचांनी सुसज्ज, शत्रुराज्ये चिरडणाऱ्या सुव्यवस्थित विशाल सेनेने वेढला जाऊन, विरोधी राज्ये जिंकण्यासाठी प्रस्थान झाला।
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.