Shloka 7
Rājasūya-sambhāra: Prosperity under Rājadharma and the Initiation of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Sacrifice
वशे चक्रे महाबाहुर्भीमो भीमपराक्रम: । बलवानोंमें श्रेष्ठ महापराक्रमी तथा भयंकर पुरुषार्थ प्रकट करनेवाले पाण्डुकुमार महाबाहु भीमसेनने समरमें पीठ न दिखानेवाले काशिराज सुबाहुको बलपूर्वक हराया ।।
vaśe cakre mahābāhur bhīmo bhīmaparākramaḥ | balavānāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ mahāparākramaḥ tathā bhayaṅkara-puruṣārtha-prakaṭa-karaḥ pāṇḍu-kumāro mahābāhuḥ bhīmaseno 'pi samare pṛṣṭhaṃ na darśayantaṃ kāśirājaṃ subāhukaṃ balapūrvakaṃ harayām āsa || tataḥ supārśvam abhitas tathā rājapatiṃ krathum ... |
वैशम्पायन उवाच— महाबाहुर्भीमो भीमपराक्रमो बलवतां वरिष्ठो महापराक्रमः, तान् सर्वान् वशे चकार। स च पाण्डवो भीमसेनः समरे पृष्ठं न दर्शयन्तं काशिराजं सुबाहुं बलात् पराजित्य वशीचकार। ततः सुपार्श्वमभितः तथा राजपतिं क्रथं च जिगाय।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in its martial aspect: steadfastness in battle (not turning one’s back) is praised, yet superior strength and disciplined exertion can lawfully subdue even a courageous opponent within the context of royal conquest.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ campaign of subjugating kings, Bhīma defeats Subāhu, the king of Kāśī, who is described as not retreating in battle; Bhīma then proceeds to subdue other rulers such as Supārśva and Krathu.