ततो हिमवतः पार्श्वे समभ्येत्य जरद्गवम् ॥
सर्वम् अल्पेन कालेन देशं चक्रे वशे बली ॥
एवं बहुविधान् देशान् विजित्य पुरुषर्षभः ॥
उन्नाटम् अभितो जिग्ये कुक्षिमन्तं च पर्वतम् ॥
पाण्डवः सुमहावीर्यो बलेन बलिनां वरः ॥
स काशिराजं समरे सुबन्धुम् अनिवर्तिनम् ॥
वशे चक्रे महाबाहुर् भीमो भीमपराक्रमः ॥
tato himavataḥ pārśve samabhyetya jaradgavam ||
sarvam alpena kālena deśaṃ cakre vaśe balī ||
evaṃ bahuvidhān deśān vijitya puruṣarṣabhaḥ ||
unnāṭam abhito jigye kukṣimantaṃ ca parvatam ||
pāṇḍavaḥ sumahāvīryo balena balināṃ varaḥ ||
sa kāśirājaṃ samare subandhum anivartinam ||
vaśe cakre mahābāhur bhīmo bhīmaparākramaḥ ||
Then, having come to Jaradgava at the flank of Himavat, the mighty one subdued the whole of that land in a short time. Thus, having conquered manifold lands, the bull among men subdued Unnata all around, and Mount Kukshimat. The mighty-armed Bhima, terrible in might, subdued Subandhu, the unyielding king of Kashi, in battle.
a27c9abb0fba · published Jul 16, 2026, 3:28:51 PM UTC
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Bhima's swiftness — subduing the whole land 'in a short time' — shows how few obstacles remain before a force driven by a righteous cause. Telling, too, is the word about Subandhu: 'unyielding' (anivartin), one who did not flee the field — and yet was subdued. The verse teaches that resolve without the balance of strength only postpones the inevitable; the valor to stand to the end is worthy, but against a superior power it leads not to victory but to a defeat borne with dignity. Wisdom lies not only in steadfastness but in judging rightly — with whom to stand to the death, and before whom to yield without shame.