Shloka 16
ततः सुद्यान् प्रसुद्यांश्ष सपक्षानतिवीर्यवान् | विजित्य युधि कौन्तेयो मागधानभ्यधाद् बली
tataḥ sudyān prasudyāṁś ca sapakṣān ativīryavān | vijitya yudhi kaunteyo māgadhān abhyadhād balī ||
ततः सुद्यान् प्रसुद्यांश्च सपक्षानतिवीर्यवान् । विजित्य युधि कौन्तेयो मागधानभ्यधाद् बली ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and warfare are depicted as ethically constrained instruments when directed toward a sanctioned royal duty (such as establishing sovereignty for a major rite). The verse frames conquest not as mere aggression but as part of a larger political-dharmic program, emphasizing disciplined strength aligned with a collective purpose.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Bhīma, the son of Kuntī, defeats the rulers of Sudya and Prasudya along with their allies in battle, and then proceeds to confront/advance upon Magadha.