Shloka 20
सहदेव-दक्षिण-दिग्विजयः — Sahadeva’s Southern Conquest and the Māhiṣmatī–Agni Encounter
वृत: सुमहता राजन् बलेन चतुरक्षिणा: । आजगाम पुनर्वीर: शक्रप्रस्थं पुरोत्तमम्
vṛtaḥ sumahatā rājan balena caturakṣiṇāḥ | ājagāma punar vīraḥ śakraprasthaṃ purottamam ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Ó rei, cercado por um vastíssimo exército de quatro armas, o heróico Arjuna retornou novamente a Śakraprastha (Indraprastha), aquela cidade excelsa. Tendo subjugado reis em batalha, recolheu tributos e bens preciosos; contudo, restituiu os vencidos aos seus próprios reinos—unindo conquista e contenção política—e voltou trazendo riquezas, gemas e cavalos velozes recebidos como dádivas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic model of conquest: power is exercised with restraint—victory is followed by orderly governance, collection of tribute, and restoration of local rulers rather than needless destruction.
After campaigns that bring in tribute and resources, Arjuna returns to Śakraprastha/Indraprastha accompanied by a large fourfold army, marking the completion of a successful expedition and the consolidation of Yudhiṣṭhira’s political standing.