Shloka 26
Adhyāya 8: Saṃprahāra-varṇana and Bhīma–Kṣemadhūrti Dvipa-Yuddha
Combat Description and Elephant Duel
दुर्योधनस्य वृद्धयर्थ कृत्स्नामुर्वीमथाजयत् | यं लब्ध्वा मागधो राजा सान्त्वमानो5थ सौहदै:
duryodhanasya vṛddhyarthaṃ kṛtsnām urvīm athājayat | yaṃ labdhvā māgadho rājā sāntvamāno 'tha sauhṛdaiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Buscando o engrandecimento de Duryodhana, ele então conquistou toda a terra. Tendo-o obtido, o rei de Magadha passou a tentar conquistá-lo—com palavras conciliatórias e gestos de amizade.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a political-ethical dynamic: conquest and expansion undertaken to strengthen a ruler, followed by diplomacy—conciliation and friendship—as a means to secure or stabilize relationships. It reflects the Mahābhārata’s attention to statecraft where force and persuasion operate together.
The narrator states that, for Duryodhana’s benefit, a figure (implied from the surrounding context) subdues the whole realm. After this person is secured/obtained, the king of Magadha approaches with conciliatory speech and friendly overtures, indicating an attempt to form or maintain an alliance.