Shloka 26
Adhyāya 8: Saṃprahāra-varṇana and Bhīma–Kṣemadhūrti Dvipa-Yuddha
Combat Description and Elephant Duel
दुर्योधनस्य वृद्धयर्थ कृत्स्नामुर्वीमथाजयत् | यं लब्ध्वा मागधो राजा सान्त्वमानो5थ सौहदै:
duryodhanasya vṛddhyarthaṃ kṛtsnām urvīm athājayat | yaṃ labdhvā māgadho rājā sāntvamāno 'tha sauhṛdaiḥ ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: Upang itaguyod ang pag-angat ni Duryodhana, nilupig niya ang buong daigdig. Nang makamtan siya, ang hari ng Magadha ay nagsikap na mapasakanya ang loob—sa pamamagitan ng mapagpayapang pananalita at mga kilos ng pakikipagkaibigan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a political-ethical dynamic: conquest and expansion undertaken to strengthen a ruler, followed by diplomacy—conciliation and friendship—as a means to secure or stabilize relationships. It reflects the Mahābhārata’s attention to statecraft where force and persuasion operate together.
The narrator states that, for Duryodhana’s benefit, a figure (implied from the surrounding context) subdues the whole realm. After this person is secured/obtained, the king of Magadha approaches with conciliatory speech and friendly overtures, indicating an attempt to form or maintain an alliance.