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Shloka 23

नकुलस्य प्रतीची-दिग्विजयः

Nakula’s Conquest of the Western Quarter

महता बलचक्रेण परराष्ट्रावमर्दिना । हस्त्यश्वरथपूर्णेन दंशितेन प्रतापवान्‌ २ ।।

vaiśampāyana uvāca |

mahatā balacakreṇa pararāṣṭrāvamardinā |

hasty-aśva-ratha-pūrṇena daṃśitena pratāpavān ||

vṛto bharataśārdūlo dviṣacchoka-vivardhanaḥ |

وَیشَمپایَن نے کہا—اے جنمیجَے! اسی وقت بھرت وَنش کا شیر، دشمنوں کے غم میں اضافہ کرنے والا، مہاپرتاپی بھیم سین دھرم راج کے حکم کے مطابق، ہاتھیوں، گھوڑوں اور رتھوں سے بھری، ہتھیار و زرہ سے آراستہ، اور دشمن ریاستوں کو پامال کرنے والی منظم عظیم فوج کے حلقے میں گھرا ہوا، مخالف مملکتوں کو زیر کرنے کے لیے روانہ ہوا۔

महताby/with great
महता:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootमहत्
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
बलचक्रेणwith the army-formation/host (lit. wheel of forces)
बलचक्रेण:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootबलचक्र
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
परराष्ट्रावमर्दिनाwith (that which is) crushing the enemy-kingdoms
परराष्ट्रावमर्दिना:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootपरराष्ट्र-अवमर्दिन्
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
हस्त्यश्वरथपूर्णेनfilled with elephants, horses, and chariots
हस्त्यश्वरथपूर्णेन:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootहस्ति-अश्व-रथ-पूर्ण
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
दंशितेनarmoured, equipped (with mail/armor)
दंशितेन:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootदंशित
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
प्रतापवान्mighty, illustrious
प्रतापवान्:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootप्रतापवत्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
वृतःsurrounded, attended
वृतः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootवृत
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
भरतशार्दूलःtiger among the Bharatas
भरतशार्दूलः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootभरत-शार्दूल
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
द्विषच्छोकविवर्द्धनःincreaser of enemies’ grief
द्विषच्छोकविवर्द्धनः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootद्विषत्-शोक-विवर्द्धन
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

वैशम्पायन उवाच

V
Vaiśampāyana
B
Bharata lineage (Bharatas)
E
enemies (dviṣat)
A
army/force-array (balacakra)
E
elephants
H
horses
C
chariots
E
enemy kingdoms (pararāṣṭra)

Educational Q&A

The verse frames warfare as an extension of lawful kingship and duty: force is depicted as organized (balacakra), properly equipped (daṃśita), and directed toward a political objective under legitimate command, emphasizing responsibility and order rather than personal vengeance.

Vaiśampāyana describes a leading Bharata hero departing with a large, fully armed army—complete with elephants, horses, and chariots—to subdue enemy territories, thereby increasing the sorrow of opponents through successful campaign and domination.