Shloka 21
Adhyāya 31: Rājasūya-samāgama — The Gathering of Kings and the Ordering of Hospitality
ततो रत्नान्युपादाय पुरी माहिष्मतीं ययौ । तत्र नीलेन राज्ञा स चक्रे युद्ध नरर्षभ:,तदनन्तर वे नरश्रेष्ठ वहाँसे रत्नोंकी भेंट लेकर माहिष्मतीपुरीको गये और वहाँ राजा नीलके- साथ घोर युद्ध किया
tato ratnāny upādāya purī māhiṣmatīṃ yayau | tatra nīlena rājñā sa cakre yuddhaṃ nararṣabhaḥ ||
Kemudian, setelah mengambil permata sebagai ufti, sang wira—laksana banteng di antara manusia—berangkat menuju kota Māhiṣmatī. Di sana, baginda bertempur sengit dengan Raja Nīla.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya duty in statecraft: receiving or collecting rightful tribute and, when challenged, meeting opposition through sanctioned combat—balancing authority with the codes of honorable warfare.
After accepting jewels, the hero travels to Māhiṣmatī and fights a severe battle with King Nīla, indicating resistance encountered during the course of asserting political claims or collecting tribute.