Shloka 14
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya Resolve and the Slaying of Jarāsandha
ते विजित्य नृपान्वीरा आजह्रुर्दिग्भ्य ओजसा । अजातशत्रवे भूरि द्रविणं नृप यक्ष्यते ॥ १४ ॥
te vijitya nṛpān vīrā ājahrur digbhya ojasā ajāta-śatrave bhūri draviṇaṁ nṛpa yakṣyate
ఆ వీరులు అనేక రాజులను పరాక్రమంతో జయించి, దిక్కులనుండి అపార ధనాన్ని తెచ్చి, యజ్ఞం చేయదలచిన అజాతశత్రు యుధిష్ఠిర మహారాజుకు సమర్పించారు, ఓ రాజా।
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “It may be noted that by dispatching his younger brothers to conquer in different directions, King Yudhiṣṭhira did not actually intend that they declare war with the kings. Actually, the brothers started for different directions to inform the respective kings about King Yudhiṣṭhira’s intention to perform the Rājasūya sacrifice. The kings were thus informed that they were required to pay taxes for the execution of the sacrifice. This payment of taxes to Emperor Yudhiṣṭhira meant that the king accepted subjugation before him. In case of a king’s refusal to act accordingly, there was certainly a fight. Thus by their influence and strength, the brothers conquered all the kings in different directions, and they were able to bring in sufficient taxes and presentations. These were brought before King Yudhiṣṭhira by his brothers.”
FAQs
This verse states that the heroic warriors conquered opposing kings and collected abundant wealth from all directions to support Yudhiṣṭhira (Ajātaśatru) as he was about to perform the sacrifice.
Because Yudhiṣṭhira was preparing to perform a major Vedic sacrifice, and the required resources were assembled through the victories and collections made by his heroic supporters.
Great undertakings succeed when guided by dharma and supported by disciplined effort—collecting the necessary resources ethically and purposefully for a higher, service-oriented goal.