Shloka 54
Adhyāya 45 — Duryodhana’s Distress, Śakuni’s Counsel, and the Summons for Dyūta
क्षत्रं समग्रमपि च त्वत्प्रसादाद् वशे स्थितम् | उपादाय बलिं मुख्यं मामेव समुपस्थितम्,“तथा सारा क्षत्रियमण्डल भी आपके ही प्रसादसे मेरे अधीन हुआ और उत्तमोत्तम रत्नोंकी भेंट ले मेरे पास आया
kṣatraṃ samagram api ca tvatprasādād vaśe sthitam | upādāya baliṃ mukhyaṃ mām eva samupasthitam |
“ด้วยพระกรุณาของพระองค์ อำนาจแห่งกษัตริย์นักรบทั้งปวงก็อยู่ในอำนาจของข้า; และเมื่อถือบรรณาการอันประธานมาแล้ว ก็เข้ามาเฝ้าข้าเอง”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links political success to “prasāda” (favor/grace), implying that authority is not merely seized by force but is also legitimized through acknowledged support. It also foregrounds the ethical dimension of rule: subjugation is expressed through the orderly act of paying tribute, raising questions about rightful sovereignty and the responsibilities that accompany dominance.
The speaker reports that the entire kṣatriya sphere has come under his control and that the subordinate polity has approached him bearing the chief tribute. It depicts consolidation of power and the formal recognition of supremacy through offerings.