02.028
Pancharatra: Sahadeva’s conquest of the south Regions.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
तथैव सहदेवोऽपि धर्मराजेन पूजितः। महत्या सेनया सार्धं प्रययौ दक्षिणां दिशम् ॥२-२८-१॥
Likewise, Sahadeva, having been honored by Dharmaraja, set out with a large army towards the southern direction. (2-28-1)
स शूरसेनान्कार्त्स्न्येन पूर्वमेवाजयत्प्रभुः। मत्स्यराजं च कौरव्यो वशे चक्रे बलाद्बली ॥२-२८-२॥
He, the powerful lord, had previously conquered all the Śūrasenas; and the Kaurava, by force, brought the king of the Matsyas under his control. (2-28-2)
अधिराजाधिपं चैव दन्तवक्रं महाहवे। जिगाय करदं चैव स्वराज्ये संन्यवेशयत् ॥२-२८-३॥
He defeated Dantavakra, the overlord of kings, in the great battle, and also the tribute-payer, and then installed him in his own kingdom. (2-28-3)
सुकुमारं वशे चक्रे सुमित्रं च नराधिपम्। तथैवापरमत्स्यांश्च व्यजयत्स पटच्चरान् ॥२-२८-४॥
He brought the gentle Sumitra and the king under his control; likewise, he defeated the other Matsyas and the Pataccaras. (2-28-4)
निषादभूमिं गोशृङ्गं पर्वतप्रवरं तथा। तरसा व्यजयद्धीमाञ्श्रेणिमन्तं च पार्थिवम् ॥२-२८-५॥
The wise one also conquered the Niṣāda land, Gośṛṅga mountain, and the foremost of mountains, as well as Śreṇimant and the ruler, by force. (2-28-5)
नवराष्ट्रं विनिर्जित्य कुन्तिभोजमुपाद्रवत्। प्रीतिपूर्वं च तस्यासौ प्रतिजग्राह शासनम् ॥२-२८-६॥
After conquering the new kingdom, he approached Kuntibhoja and, with affection, accepted his command. (2-28-6)
ततश्चर्मण्वतीकूले जम्भकस्यात्मजं नृपम्। ददर्श वासुदेवेन शेषितं पूर्ववैरिणा ॥२-२८-७॥
Then, on the bank of the Carmaṇvatī river, Vāsudeva saw the king, the son of Jambhaka, who had been left behind by his former enemy. (2-28-7)
चक्रे तत्र स सङ्ग्रामं सह भोजेन भारत। स तमाजौ विनिर्जित्य दक्षिणाभिमुखो ययौ ॥२-२८-८॥
He engaged in battle there with Bhoja, O Bhārata. Having defeated him in battle, he proceeded southward. (2-28-8)
करांस्तेभ्य उपादाय रत्नानि विविधानि च। ततस्तैरेव सहितो नर्मदामभितो ययौ ॥२-२८-९॥
Having taken their hands and various gems, then, accompanied by them, he proceeded towards the Narmadā river. (2-28-9)
विन्दानुविन्दावावन्त्यौ सैन्येन महता वृतौ। जिगाय समरे वीरावाश्विनेयः प्रतापवान् ॥२-२८-१०॥
Vinda and Anuvinda, the princes of Avanti, surrounded by a mighty army, were defeated in battle by the valiant son of Aśvini (Nakula), who was a hero. (2-28-10)
ततो रत्नान्युपादाय पुरीं माहिष्मतीं ययौ। तत्र नीलेन राज्ञा स चक्रे युद्धं नरर्षभः ॥२-२८-११॥
Then, taking the jewels, he proceeded to the city of Māhiṣmatī. There, the best of men engaged in battle with King Nīla. (2-28-11)
पाण्डवः परवीरघ्नः सहदेवः प्रतापवान्। ततोऽस्य सुमहद्युद्धमासीद्भीरुभयङ्करम् ॥२-२८-१२॥
Sahadeva, the valiant son of Paṇḍu and destroyer of enemy heroes, then fought a very great and terrifying battle that struck fear into the timid. (2-28-12)
सैन्यक्षयकरं चैव प्राणानां संशयाय च। चक्रे तस्य हि साहाय्यं भगवान्हव्यवाहनः ॥२-२८-१३॥
Agni, the Lord, created assistance for him, bringing about the destruction of the army and endangering lives. (2-28-13)
ततो हया रथा नागाः पुरुषाः कवचानि च। प्रदीप्तानि व्यदृश्यन्त सहदेवबले तदा ॥२-२८-१४॥
At that time, blazing horses, chariots, elephants, men, and armours were seen in Sahadeva's army. (2-28-14)
ततः सुसम्भ्रान्तमना बभूव कुरुनन्दनः। नोत्तरं प्रतिवक्तुं च शक्तोऽभूज्जनमेजय ॥२-२८-१५॥
Then, the descendant of Kuru became greatly agitated in mind. Janamejaya was unable to give any reply. (2-28-15)
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya said.
किमर्थं भगवानग्निः प्रत्यमित्रोऽभवद्युधि। सहदेवस्य यज्ञार्थं घटमानस्य वै द्विज ॥२-२८-१६॥
O Brahmin, for what reason did the revered Agni become an enemy in battle to Sahadeva, who was striving for the purpose of the sacrifice? (2-28-16)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
तत्र माहिष्मतीवासी भगवान्हव्यवाहनः। श्रूयते निगृहीतो वै पुरस्तात्पारदारिकः ॥२-२८-१७॥
There, it is said that the revered Agni, resident of Māhiṣmatī, was once restrained in the past for adultery. (2-28-17)
नीलस्य राज्ञः पूर्वेषामुपनीतश्च सोऽभवत्। तदा ब्राह्मणरूपेण चरमाणो यदृच्छया ॥२-२८-१८॥
He, who had been brought by the former kings of Nīla, then, wandering by chance in the form of a Brāhmaṇa, became (so). (2-28-18)
तं तु राजा यथाशास्त्रमन्वशाद्धार्मिकस्तदा। प्रजज्वाल ततः कोपाद्भगवान्हव्यवाहनः ॥२-२८-१९॥
But then the righteous king investigated him according to the scripture. Then, the revered Agni (the fire-god) blazed up in anger. (2-28-19)
तं दृष्ट्वा विस्मितो राजा जगाम शिरसा कविम्। चक्रे प्रसादं च तदा तस्य राज्ञो विभावसुः ॥२-२८-२०॥
Seeing him, the king was astonished and bowed his head to the sage; then Agni, the Fire-god, bestowed his favor upon that king. (2-28-20)
वरेण छन्दयामास तं नृपं स्विष्टकृत्तमः। अभयं च स जग्राह स्वसैन्ये वै महीपतिः ॥२-२८-२१॥
By granting a boon, the foremost performer of sacrifices pleased the king; and the lord of the earth granted fearlessness to his own army. (2-28-21)
ततः प्रभृति ये केचिदज्ञानात्तां पुरीं नृपाः। जिगीषन्ति बलाद्राजंस्ते दह्यन्तीह वह्निना ॥२-२८-२२॥
From that time onwards, O king, any kings who, out of ignorance, attempt to conquer that city by force are here consumed by fire. (2-28-22)
तस्यां पुर्यां तदा चैव माहिष्मत्यां कुरूद्वह। बभूवुरनभिग्राह्या योषितश्छन्दतः किल ॥२-२८-२३॥
O best of the Kurus, at that time in the city of Māhiṣmatī, there were women who could not be approached at will. (2-28-23)
एवमग्निर्वरं प्रादात्स्त्रीणामप्रतिवारणे। स्वैरिण्यस्तत्र नार्यो हि यथेष्टं प्रचरन्त्युत ॥२-२८-२४॥
Thus, Agni granted women a boon without opposition; there, women indeed move about freely as they wish. (2-28-24)
वर्जयन्ति च राजानस्तद्राष्ट्रं पुरुषोत्तम। भयादग्नेर्महाराज तदा प्रभृति सर्वदा ॥२-२८-२५॥
O best of men, from that time onward, O great king, all kings have always avoided that kingdom out of fear of Agni. (2-28-25)
सहदेवस्तु धर्मात्मा सैन्यं दृष्ट्वा भयार्दितम्। परीतमग्निना राजन्नाकम्पत यथा गिरिः ॥२-२८-२६॥
But Sahadeva, the righteous-souled, seeing the army afflicted by fear and surrounded by fire, O king, was not shaken, like a mountain. (2-28-26)
उपस्पृश्य शुचिर्भूत्वा सोऽब्रवीत्पावकं ततः। त्वदर्थोऽयं समारम्भः कृष्णवर्त्मन्नमोऽस्तु ते ॥२-२८-२७॥
After purifying himself by touching water, he addressed the fire: "This endeavor is for your benefit. O follower of Kṛṣṇa, salutations to you." (2-28-27)
मुखं त्वमसि देवानां यज्ञस्त्वमसि पावक। पावनात्पावकश्चासि वहनाद्धव्यवाहनः ॥२-२८-२८॥
You are the mouth of the gods and the sacrifice itself, O Pāvaka (Agni). You are the purifier, born from the purifier, and by your act of carrying, you are the carrier of offerings. (2-28-28)
वेदास्त्वदर्थं जाताश्च जातवेदास्ततो ह्यसि। यज्ञविघ्नमिमं कर्तुं नार्हस्त्वं हव्यवाहन ॥२-२८-२९॥
The Vedas have come into being for your sake, O Jātaveda; therefore, you are indeed so. You, O Havyavāhana, are not fit to cause this obstruction to the sacrifice. (2-28-29)
एवमुक्त्वा तु माद्रेयः कुशैरास्तीर्य मेदिनीम्। विधिवत्पुरुषव्याघ्रः पावकं प्रत्युपाविशत् ॥२-२८-३०॥
Having thus spoken, the son of Madri, after properly spreading kusa grass on the ground, sat near the fire like a tiger among men. (2-28-30)
प्रमुखे सर्वसैन्यस्य भीतोद्विग्नस्य भारत। न चैनमत्यगाद्वह्निर्वेलामिव महोदधिः ॥२-२८-३१॥
O Bhārata, at the head of the entire army, though he was frightened and agitated, the fire did not surpass him, just as the great ocean does not cross its shore. (2-28-31)
तमभ्येत्य शनैर्वह्निरुवाच कुरुनन्दनम्। सहदेवं नृणां देवं सान्त्वपूर्वमिदं वचः ॥२-२८-३२॥
Agni slowly approached Sahadeva, the god among men, and spoke these conciliatory words to the delight of the Kurus. (2-28-32)
उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ कौरव्य जिज्ञासेयं कृता मया। वेद्मि सर्वमभिप्रायं तव धर्मसुतस्य च ॥२-२८-३३॥
Arise, arise, O descendant of Kuru! I have made this inquiry. I know all the intentions of both you and the son of Dharma. (2-28-33)
मया तु रक्षितव्येयं पुरी भरतसत्तम। यावद्राज्ञोऽस्य नीलस्य कुलवंशधरा इति ॥ ईप्सितं तु करिष्यामि मनसस्तव पाण्डव ॥२-२८-३४॥
O best of the Bharatas, I will protect this city as long as Nila, the bearer of this king's lineage, remains. Yet, O Pāṇḍava, I shall do what your heart desires. (2-28-34)
तत उत्थाय हृष्टात्मा प्राञ्जलिः शिरसानतः। पूजयामास माद्रेयः पावकं पुरुषर्षभः ॥२-२८-३५॥
Then, the son of Madri, the best among men, rose joyfully, bowed his head with joined palms, and worshipped Agni. (2-28-35)
पावके विनिवृत्ते तु नीलो राजाभ्ययात्तदा। सत्कारेण नरव्याघ्रं सहदेवं युधां पतिम् ॥२-२८-३६॥
When the fire was extinguished, King Nila respectfully approached Sahadeva, the tiger among men and lord of warriors. (2-28-36)
प्रतिगृह्य च तां पूजां करे च विनिवेश्य तम्। माद्रीसुतस्ततः प्रायाद्विजयी दक्षिणां दिशम् ॥२-२८-३७॥
Having accepted that honor and placing it in his hand, the victorious son of Mādrī then set out towards the southern direction. (2-28-37)
त्रैपुरं स वशे कृत्वा राजानममितौजसम्। निजग्राह महाबाहुस्तरसा पोतनेश्वरम् ॥२-२८-३८॥
He subdued the king of Tripura, who possessed immeasurable energy, and with his great strength, the mighty-armed hero forcefully captured the lord of the ship. (2-28-38)
आहृतिं कौशिकाचार्यं यत्नेन महता ततः। वशे चक्रे महाबाहुः सुराष्ट्राधिपतिं तथा ॥२-२८-३९॥
Then, having brought the Kauśika teacher with great effort, the mighty-armed one also brought the lord of Surāṣṭra under his control. (2-28-39)
सुराष्ट्रविषयस्थश्च प्रेषयामास रुक्मिणे। राज्ञे भोजकटस्थाय महामात्राय धीमते ॥२-२८-४०॥
The ruler of the Surāṣṭra region sent a message to Rukmiṇī, to the king, to the resident of Bhojakaṭa, to the chief minister, and to the wise one. (2-28-40)
भीष्मकाय स धर्मात्मा साक्षादिन्द्रसखाय वै। स चास्य ससुतो राजन्प्रतिजग्राह शासनम् ॥२-२८-४१॥
O king, that righteous-souled Bhīṣmaka, who was indeed a friend of Indra, along with his son, accepted the command. (2-28-41)
प्रीतिपूर्वं महाबाहुर्वासुदेवमवेक्ष्य च। ततः स रत्नान्यादाय पुनः प्रायाद्युधां पतिः ॥२-२८-४२॥
With affection, the mighty-armed one looked at Vasudeva, and then, taking the gems, the lord of the warriors departed again. (2-28-42)
ततः शूर्पारकं चैव गणं चोपकृताह्वयम्। वशे चक्रे महातेजा दण्डकांश्च महाबलः ॥२-२८-४३॥
Then, the mighty and radiant one brought Śūrpāraka, the group called Upakṛtāhvaya, and the Daṇḍakas under his control. (2-28-43)
सागरद्वीपवासांश्च नृपतीन्म्लेच्छयोनिजान्। निषादान्पुरुषादांश्च कर्णप्रावरणानपि ॥२-२८-४४॥
And also the inhabitants of ocean islands, kings of barbarian origin, Niṣādas, man-eaters, and even those who cover their ears. (2-28-44)
ये च कालमुखा नाम नरा राक्षसयोनयः। कृत्स्नं कोल्लगिरिं चैव मुरचीपत्तनं तथा ॥२-२८-४५॥
And those men called Kālamukhās, of demonic origin; the whole of Kollagiri and also Murachīpattana. (2-28-45)
द्वीपं ताम्राह्वयं चैव पर्वतं रामकं तथा। तिमिङ्गिलं च नृपतिं वशे चक्रे महामतिः ॥२-२८-४६॥
The great-minded one brought under his control the island called Tāmra, the mountain called Rāma, Timiṅgila, and the king. (2-28-46)
एकपादांश्च पुरुषान्केवलान्वनवासिनः। नगरीं सञ्जयन्तीं च पिच्छण्डं करहाटकम् ॥ दूतैरेव वशे चक्रे करं चैनानदापयत् ॥२-२८-४७॥
He brought under his control, by messengers, the one-footed men, the forest-dwellers, the city of Sanjaya, Picchanda, and Karahataka, and made them pay tribute. (2-28-47)
पाण्ड्यांश्च द्रविडांश्चैव सहितांश्चोड्रकेरलैः। अन्ध्रांस्तलवनांश्चैव कलिङ्गानोष्ट्रकर्णिकान् ॥२-२८-४८॥
The Pāṇḍyas and the Draviḍas, along with the Uḍras and Keralas; the Andhras, the Talavanas, the Kaliṅgas, and the Oṣṭra-Karṇikas. (2-28-48)
अन्ताखीं चैव रोमां च यवनानां पुरं तथा। दूतैरेव वशे चक्रे करं चैनानदापयत् ॥२-२८-४९॥
He brought Antākhī, Romā, and the city of the Yavanas under his control through messengers and made them pay tribute. (2-28-49)
भरुकच्छं गतो धीमान्दूतान्माद्रवतीसुतः। प्रेषयामास राजेन्द्र पौलस्त्याय महात्मने ॥ विभीषणाय धर्मात्मा प्रीतिपूर्वमरिंदमः ॥२-२८-५०॥
The wise son of Mādravatī, after reaching Bharukaccha, sent messengers with affection to the noble Vibhīṣaṇa, the righteous and enemy-subduing king, and to Paulastya (Rāvaṇa), O king. (2-28-50)
स चास्य प्रतिजग्राह शासनं प्रीतिपूर्वकम्। तच्च कालकृतं धीमानन्वमन्यत स प्रभुः ॥२-२८-५१॥
He accepted his command with affection, and the wise lord approved that which was done at the proper time. (2-28-51)
ततः सम्प्रेषयामास रत्नानि विविधानि च। चन्दनागुरुमुख्यानि दिव्यान्याभरणानि च ॥२-२८-५२॥
Then he sent gems of various kinds, chief sandalwood and aloeswood, and divine ornaments. (2-28-52)
वासांसि च महार्हाणि मणींश्चैव महाधनान्। न्यवर्तत ततो धीमान्सहदेवः प्रतापवान् ॥२-२८-५३॥
The wise and valiant Sahadeva withdrew from there, taking the garments, very precious gems, and great treasures. (2-28-53)
एवं निर्जित्य तरसा सान्त्वेन विजयेन च। करदान्पार्थिवान्कृत्वा प्रत्यागच्छदरिंदमः ॥२-२८-५४॥
Thus, having conquered by strength, conciliation, and victory, and having made the kings pay tribute, the subduer of enemies returned. (2-28-54)
धर्मराजाय तत्सर्वं निवेद्य भरतर्षभ। कृतकर्मा सुखं राजन्नुवास जनमेजय ॥२-२८-५५॥
After reporting everything to Dharmarāja, O best of the Bharatas, Janamejaya, having fulfilled his duties, lived happily, O king. (2-28-55)
