Shloka 20
जयद्रथविमोचन–पलायनवृत्तान्तः
Recovery of Draupadī and Jayadratha’s flight
भद्रान् रोहितकांश्वैव आग्रेयान् मालवानपि । गणान् सर्वान् विनिर्जित्य नीतिकृत् प्रहसन्निव
bhadrān rohitakāṁś caiva āgreyān mālavān api | gaṇān sarvān vinirjitya nītikṛt prahasann iva ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Matapos mapasuko ang lahat ng pangkat na iyon—ang mga Bhadrān, Rohitaka, Āgreya, at Mālava—siya, na tagapag-ayos ng patakaran at kaayusan, ay waring napapangiti, na para bang ang tagumpay at pamamahala ay bunga ng disiplinadong estratehiya at hindi lamang ng dahas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights nīti—disciplined governance and strategic order—as the ethical frame for power: conquest is portrayed not as uncontrolled violence but as controlled subduing that enables rule and stability.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that a ruler/leader has defeated multiple regional groups (Bhadras, Rohitakas, Āgreyas, Mālavas) and, having brought all their bands under control, appears calmly confident—almost smiling—after establishing dominance.