Shloka 20
Rājasūya-sambhāra: Prosperity under Rājadharma and the Initiation of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Sacrifice
स कर्ण युधि निर्जित्य वशे कृत्वा च भारत । ततो विजिग्ये बलवान् राज्ञ: पर्वतवासिन:
sa karṇaṁ yudhi nirjitya vaśe kṛtvā ca bhārata | tato vijigye balavān rājñaḥ parvatavāsinaḥ ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Ó Bhārata, tendo derrotado Karṇa em combate e trazido-o sob o seu domínio, o poderoso Bhīma conquistou em seguida os reis que habitavam nas montanhas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse reflects a kṣatriya-political ethic: victory in war aims at establishing control and order (vaśa) over rivals, extending sovereignty through conquest rather than portraying battle as mere violence.
After defeating Karṇa in battle and subduing him, the powerful victor (contextually Bhīma in this campaign) proceeds to conquer the mountain-dwelling kings, expanding the Pāṇḍavas’ sphere of dominance.