Adhyāya 33 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Post-Conflict Remorse and Inquiry on Āśrama Discipline (शोक-विमर्शः, आश्रम-जिज्ञासा)
सेयं त्वामनुसम्प्राप्ता विक्रमेण वसुन्धरा । निर्जिताश्न महीपाला विक्रमेण त्वयानघ,अनघ! तुमने भी इस वसुन्धराको अपने पराक्रमसे प्राप्त किया है और भुजाओंके बलसे समस्त राजाओंको परास्त किया है
seyaṁ tvām anusamprāptā vikrameṇa vasundharā | nirjitāś ca mahīpālā vikrameṇa tvayānagha ||
اے بےگناہ! یہ زمین تُو نے اپنے پرَاکرم سے حاصل کی ہے؛ اسی پرَاکرم سے تُو نے اس سرزمین کے سبھی راجاؤں کو مغلوب کر دیا ہے۔
व्यास उवाच
Earthly dominion gained through valor and conquest is acknowledged as a fact of kshatriya power, but Shanti Parva frames such power as ethically consequential—rule must be aligned with dharma, not merely justified by victory.
Vyasa addresses a ruler/hero, stating that he has obtained the earth through his prowess and has defeated other kings by strength, highlighting the extent of his political-military success as a prelude to reflection on righteous governance.