Shloka 3
Arjuna’s Northern Conquests: Kimpuruṣa-lands, Hāṭaka, Mānasasaras, and the Harivarṣa Boundary
तत्र कृत्यमहं मनन््ये कोशस्य परिवर्धनम् | करमाहारयिष्यामि राज्ञ: सर्वान् नृपोत्तम
tatra kṛtyam ahaṃ manye kośasya parivardhanam | karam āhārayiṣyāmi rājñaḥ sarvān nṛpottama ||
Arjuna berkata: Dalam hal ini, aku menganggap tugas yang perlu ialah memperbesar perbendaharaan diraja. Wahai raja yang utama, aku berniat menundukkan para pemerintah dan memungut ufti daripada mereka, agar kekuatan sumber kerajaan bertambah teguh.
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kingly priority within rājadharma: maintaining and increasing the treasury to sustain governance. It frames revenue (kara/tribute) as a practical duty of rule, tied to political subordination of other rulers rather than private gain.
Arjuna states his policy/intention: he deems it necessary to expand the treasury and proposes collecting tribute from all kings—implying conquest or bringing them under suzerainty—addressing a superior ruler as “best of kings.”