Shloka 17
सहदेव-दक्षिण-दिग्विजयः — Sahadeva’s Southern Conquest and the Māhiṣmatī–Agni Encounter
एवं स पुरुषव्यात्रो विजित्य दिशमुत्तराम् । संग्रामान् सुबहून् कृत्वा क्षत्रियैर्दस्युभिस्तथा
evaṃ sa puruṣavyāghro vijitya diśam uttarām | saṃgrāmān subahūn kṛtvā kṣatriyair dasyubhis tathā ||
Так Арджуна, тигр среди людей, покорив северную сторону света, провёл множество сражений — и с кшатрийскими царями, и с шайками грабителей.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kṣatriya ideal of establishing order: a righteous ruler’s champion must confront both rival kings and lawless marauders to secure the realm and uphold stable governance. It implicitly contrasts legitimate sovereignty with predation (dasyu), presenting warfare as a means to restore political and social order when aligned with royal duty.
Vaiśampāyana reports that Arjuna has completed a northern campaign, winning control of the northern quarter after fighting many battles against kṣatriya rulers and bandit groups. This forms part of the broader digvijaya/tribute-gathering efforts connected with consolidating the Pāṇḍavas’ power.