01.105
Core:Kunti chooses Pandu in a Swayamvara; Madri, the beautiful, is bought for a price.
Vaiśampāyana said:
Endowed with beauty, strength, and virtue, delighting in righteousness and of great vows, the daughter of Kuntibhoja was offered in svayaṁvara by her father.
Amidst thousands of kings, she chose Pāṇḍu — lion-toothed, elephant-shouldered, bull-eyed, and of great strength.
The fortunate Kuru prince was united with the daughter of Kuntibhoja, like Indra with Paulomī.
Even Bhīṣma journeyed through the gates of the Madra kingdom; Mādrī, daughter of the Madra king, was famed in the three worlds.
Unmatched in beauty on earth and renowned among all kings, Mādrī was purchased with great wealth for Pāṇḍu, and Bhīṣma arranged the marriage of the great-souled Pāṇḍu.
Seeing lion-chested, elephant-shouldered, bull-eyed, and high-minded Pāṇḍu, a tiger among men, the people of earth were amazed.
Having completed his marriage, Pāṇḍu, full of strength and zeal, set out to conquer the earth, defeating many enemies.
First challenged and defeated in battle by Pāṇḍu, the lion among men, the Daśārṇas brought fame to the Kauravas.
Then Pāṇḍu marched forth with an army adorned with various banners, rich in elephants, horses, and chariots, and crowded with foot soldiers.
Dārva, the protector of the Magadha kingdom, who had challenged all heroes and was the enemy of all kings, was slain at Rājagṛha.
Then, having taken his treasury, vehicles, and forces, Pāṇḍu went to Mithilā and conquered the Videhas in battle.
Likewise among the Kāśis, Suhmas, and Puṇḍras, the bull among the Bharatas, Pāṇḍu, by his own strength, brought fame to the Kurus.
Approaching Pāṇḍu, blazing like fire with torrents of arrows and flames of weapons, the enemy-subduing kings were scorched.
Those kings, with their forces shattered by Pāṇḍu’s army, were subdued and engaged in paying tributes.
All kings on earth, having been conquered by him, regarded the valiant Pāṇḍu as the sole hero, like Indra among the gods.
All rulers of the earth, with folded hands and bowed in respect, approached him bearing wealth and various kinds of gems.
They brought gems, pearls, coral, as well as gold and silver, prized cows, horses, fine chariots, and elephants.
Donkeys, camels, buffaloes, and whatever goats or sheep were given — all that the king, lord of Nāgapura, accepted.
Having taken all that, Pāṇḍu returned with a joyful army, wishing to gladden his kingdoms and the city of Hastināpura.
The lost glory of the lion among kings, Śantanu, and of the wise Bharata, was revived by Pāṇḍu once again.
Those who had formerly seized the Kuru territories and wealth were made tributaries by Pāṇḍu, the lion of Nāgapura.
Thus spoke the assembled kings and ministers, their minds confident and joyous, together with the citizens and people of the land.
All, led by Bhīṣma, went out to welcome the returning Pāṇḍu; the people of Nāgapura, not going far, saw the land filled with joyful multitudes of various kinds.
With treasures brought on many vehicles, high and low in value — elephants, horses, chariots, cows, camels, goats and sheep — the Kauravas, with Bhīṣma, saw no end to the offerings.
He, the enhancer of Kausalyā’s joy, bowed to his father’s feet and honored the citizens and country folk as was fitting.
Beholding his son returned after crushing enemy realms and fulfilling his aims, Bhīṣma, overwhelmed with joy, shed tears.
Amidst great sounds from hundreds of musical bands and drums, delighting all the citizens, he entered Hastināpura.
