02.028
Pancharatra: Sahadeva’s conquest of the south Regions.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tathaiva sahadevo'pi dharmarājena pūjitaḥ। mahatyā senayā sārdhaṃ prayayau dakṣiṇāṃ diśam ॥2-28-1॥
Likewise, Sahadeva, having been honored by Dharmaraja, set out with a large army towards the southern direction. (2-28-1)
sa śūrasenān kārtsnyena pūrvam evājayat prabhuḥ। matsyarājaṃ ca kauravyo vaśe cakre balād balī ॥2-28-2॥
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)
adhirājādhipaṃ caiva dantavakraṃ mahāhave। jigāya karadaṃ caiva svarājye saṃnyaveśayat ॥2-28-3॥
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)
sukumāraṃ vaśe cakre sumitraṃ ca narādhipam। tathaivāparamatsyāṃśca vyajayatsa paṭaccarān ॥2-28-4॥
He brought the gentle Sumitra and the king under his control; likewise, he defeated the other Matsyas and the Pataccaras. (2-28-4)
niṣādabhūmiṃ gośṛṅgaṃ parvatapravaraṃ tathā। tarasā vyajayaddhīmāñśreṇimantaṃ ca pārthivam ॥2-28-5॥
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)
navarāṣṭraṃ vinirjitya kuntibhojam-upādravat। prītipūrvaṃ ca tasyāsau pratijagrāha śāsanam ॥2-28-6॥
After conquering the new kingdom, he approached Kuntibhoja and, with affection, accepted his command. (2-28-6)
tataś carmaṇvatī-kūle jambhakasya ātmajaṃ nṛpam। dadarśa vāsudevena śeṣitaṃ pūrva-vairiṇā ॥2-28-7॥
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)
cakre tatra sa saṅgrāmaṃ saha bhojena bhārata। sa tamājau vinirjitya dakṣiṇābhimukho yayau ॥2-28-8॥
He engaged in battle there with Bhoja, O Bhārata. Having defeated him in battle, he proceeded southward. (2-28-8)
karāṃstebhya upādāya ratnāni vividhāni ca। tatastaireva sahito narmadāmbhito yayau॥2-28-9॥
Having taken their hands and various gems, then, accompanied by them, he proceeded towards the Narmadā river. (2-28-9)
vindānuvindāv-āvantyau sainyena mahatā vṛtau। jigāya samare vīrāv-āśvineyaḥ pratāpavān॥2-28-10॥
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)
tato ratnāny upādāya purīṃ māhiṣmatīṃ yayau। tatra nīlena rājñā sa cakre yuddhaṃ nararṣabhaḥ ॥2-28-11॥
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)
pāṇḍavaḥ paravīraghnaḥ sahadevaḥ pratāpavān। tato'sya sumahadyuddham āsīd bhīrubhayaṅkaram ॥2-28-12॥
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)
sainyakṣayakaraṃ caiva prāṇānāṃ saṃśayāya ca। cakre tasya hi sāhāyyaṃ bhagavānhavyavāhanaḥ ॥2-28-13॥
Agni, the Lord, created assistance for him, bringing about the destruction of the army and endangering lives. (2-28-13)
tato hayā rathā nāgāḥ puruṣāḥ kavacāni ca। pradīptāni vyadṛśyanta sahadevabale tadā ॥2-28-14॥
At that time, blazing horses, chariots, elephants, men, and armours were seen in Sahadeva's army. (2-28-14)
tataḥ susambhrāntamanā babhūva kurunandanaḥ। nottaraṃ prativaktuṃ ca śakto'bhūjjanamejaya ॥2-28-15॥
Then, the descendant of Kuru became greatly agitated in mind. Janamejaya was unable to give any reply. (2-28-15)
janamejaya uvāca॥
Janamejaya said.
kimarthaṃ bhagavān agniḥ pratyamitro 'bhavad yudhi। sahadevasya yajñārthaṃ ghaṭamānasya vai dvija ॥2-28-16॥
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tatra māhiṣmatīvāsī bhagavān havyavāhanaḥ। śrūyate nigṛhīto vai purastāt pāradhārikaḥ ॥2-28-17॥
There, it is said that the revered Agni, resident of Māhiṣmatī, was once restrained in the past for adultery. (2-28-17)
nīlasya rājñaḥ pūrveṣām upanītaś ca so'bhavat। tadā brāhmaṇarūpeṇa caramāṇo yadṛcchayā ॥2-28-18॥
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)
taṃ tu rājā yathāśāstram anvaśād dhārmikas tadā। prajajvāla tataḥ kopād bhagavān havyavāhanaḥ ॥2-28-19॥
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)
taṃ dṛṣṭvā vismito rājā jagāma śirasā kavim। cakre prasādaṃ ca tadā tasya rājño vibhāvasuḥ ॥2-28-20॥
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)
vareṇa chandhayāmāsa taṃ nṛpaṃ sviṣṭakṛttamaḥ। abhayaṃ ca sa jagrāha svasainye vai mahīpatiḥ॥2-28-21॥
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)
tataḥ prabhṛti ye kecid ajñānāt tāṃ purīṃ nṛpāḥ। jigīṣanti balād rājaṃs te dahyantīha vahninā ॥2-28-22॥
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)
tasyāṃ puryāṃ tadā caiva māhiṣmatyāṃ kurūdvaha। babhūvuranabhigrāhyā yoṣitaśchandataḥ kila ॥2-28-23॥
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)
evam agnir varaṃ prādāt strīṇām aprativāraṇe। svairiṇyas tatra nāryo hi yatheṣṭaṃ pracaranti uta ॥2-28-24॥
Thus, Agni granted women a boon without opposition; there, women indeed move about freely as they wish. (2-28-24)
varjayanti ca rājānas tadrāṣṭraṃ puruṣottama. bhayād agner mahārāja tadā prabhṛti sarvadā ॥2-28-25॥
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)
sahadevastu dharmātmā sainyaṃ dṛṣṭvā bhayārditam। parītamagninā rājannākampata yathā giriḥ ॥2-28-26॥
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)
upaspṛśya śucirbhūtvā so'bravītpāvakaṃ tataḥ। tvadartho'yaṃ samārambhaḥ kṛṣṇavartmannamo'stu te ॥2-28-27॥
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)
mukhaṃ tvam asi devānāṃ yajñas tvam asi pāvaka। pāvanāt pāvakaś cāsi vahanād dhavyavāhanaḥ ॥2-28-28॥
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)
vedāstv-ad-arthaṃ jātāś-ca jātavedās-tato hy-asi। yajñavighnam-imaṃ kartuṃ nārhastvaṃ havyavāhana ॥2-28-29॥
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)
evam-uktvā tu mādreyaḥ kuśaiḥ āstīrya medinīm। vidhivat puruṣa-vyāghraḥ pāvakaṃ pratyupāviśat ॥2-28-30॥
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)
pramukhe sarvasainyasya bhītodvignasya bhārata। na cainamatyagādvahnirvelāmiva mahodadhiḥ ॥2-28-31॥
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)
tam abhyetya śanair vahnir uvāca kurunandanam। sahadevam nṛṇāṃ devam sāntvapūrvam idaṃ vacaḥ ॥2-28-32॥
Agni slowly approached Sahadeva, the god among men, and spoke these conciliatory words to the delight of the Kurus. (2-28-32)
uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha kauravya jijñāseyaṃ kṛtā mayā। vedmi sarvam abhiprāyaṃ tava dharmasutasya ca ॥2-28-33॥
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)
mayā tu rakṣitavyeyam purī bharatasattama। yāvad rājño'sya nīlasya kulavaṃśadharā iti ॥ īpsitaṃ tu kariṣyāmi manasas tava pāṇḍava ॥2-28-34॥
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)
tata utthāya hṛṣṭātmā prāñjaliḥ śirasānataḥ। pūjayāmāsa mādreyaḥ pāvakaṃ puruṣarṣabhaḥ ॥2-28-35॥
Then, the son of Madri, the best among men, rose joyfully, bowed his head with joined palms, and worshipped Agni. (2-28-35)
pāvake vinivṛtte tu nīlo rājābhyayāttadā। satkāreṇa naravyāghraṃ sahadevaṃ yudhāṃ patim ॥2-28-36॥
When the fire was extinguished, King Nila respectfully approached Sahadeva, the tiger among men and lord of warriors. (2-28-36)
pratigṛhya ca tāṃ pūjāṃ kare ca viniveśya tam। mādrīsutastataḥ prāyād vijayī dakṣiṇāṃ diśam ॥2-28-37॥
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)
traipuraṃ sa vaśe kṛtvā rājānamamitaujasam। nijagrāha mahābāhustarasā potaneśvaram ॥2-28-38॥
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)
āhṛtiṃ kauśikācāryaṃ yatnena mahatā tataḥ। vaśe cakre mahābāhuḥ surāṣṭrādhipatiṃ tathā ॥2-28-39॥
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)
surāṣṭraviṣayasthaś ca preṣayām āsa rukmiṇe। rājñe bhojakaṭasthāya mahāmātrāya dhīmate ॥2-28-40॥
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)
bhīṣmakāya sa dharmātmā sākṣādindrasakhāya vai। sa cāsya sasuto rājan pratijagrāha śāsanam ॥2-28-41॥
O king, that righteous-souled Bhīṣmaka, who was indeed a friend of Indra, along with his son, accepted the command. (2-28-41)
prītipūrvaṃ mahābāhur vāsudevam avekṣya ca। tataḥ sa ratnāny ādāya punaḥ prāyād yudhāṃ patiḥ ॥2-28-42॥
With affection, the mighty-armed one looked at Vasudeva, and then, taking the gems, the lord of the warriors departed again. (2-28-42)
tataḥ śūrpārakaṃ caiva gaṇaṃ copakṛtāhvayam। vaśe cakre mahātejā daṇḍakāṃśca mahābalaḥ ॥2-28-43॥
Then, the mighty and radiant one brought Śūrpāraka, the group called Upakṛtāhvaya, and the Daṇḍakas under his control. (2-28-43)
sāgaradvīpavāsāṃś ca nṛpatīn mlecchayonijān| niṣādān puruṣādāṃś ca karṇaprāvaraṇān api ॥2-28-44॥
And also the inhabitants of ocean islands, kings of barbarian origin, Niṣādas, man-eaters, and even those who cover their ears. (2-28-44)
ye ca kālamukhā nāma narā rākṣasayonayaḥ। kṛtsnaṃ kollagiriṃ caiva muracīpattanaṃ tathā ॥2-28-45॥
And those men called Kālamukhās, of demonic origin; the whole of Kollagiri and also Murachīpattana. (2-28-45)
dvīpaṃ tāmrāhvayaṃ caiva parvataṃ rāmakaṃ tathā। timiṅgilaṃ ca nṛpatiṃ vaśe cakre mahāmatiḥ ॥2-28-46॥
The great-minded one brought under his control the island called Tāmra, the mountain called Rāma, Timiṅgila, and the king. (2-28-46)
ekapādāṁś ca puruṣān kevalān vanavāsinaḥ। nagarīṁ sañjayantīṁ ca picchaṇḍaṁ karahāṭakam ॥ dūtair eva vaśe cakre karaṁ ca enān adāpayat ॥2-28-47॥
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)
pāṇḍyāṁś ca draviḍāṁś caiva sahitāṁś coḍra-keralaiḥ। andhrāṁs talavanāṁś caiva kaliṅgān oṣṭra-karṇikān ॥2-28-48॥
The Pāṇḍyas and the Draviḍas, along with the Uḍras and Keralas; the Andhras, the Talavanas, the Kaliṅgas, and the Oṣṭra-Karṇikas. (2-28-48)
antākhīṃ caiva romāṃ ca yavanānāṃ puraṃ tathā। dūtair eva vaśe cakre karaṃ ca inānadāpayat ॥2-28-49॥
He brought Antākhī, Romā, and the city of the Yavanas under his control through messengers and made them pay tribute. (2-28-49)
bharukacchaṃ gato dhīmāndūtānmādravatīsutaḥ। preṣayāmāsa rājendra paulastyāya mahātmane ॥ vibhīṣaṇāya dharmātmā prītipūrvamariṃdamaḥ ॥2-28-50॥
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)
sa cāsya pratijagrāha śāsanaṃ prītipūrvakam। tac ca kālakṛtaṃ dhīmān anvamanyata sa prabhuḥ ॥2-28-51॥
He accepted his command with affection, and the wise lord approved that which was done at the proper time. (2-28-51)
tataḥ sampreṣayāmāsa ratnāni vividhāni ca। candanāgurumukhyāni divyānyābharaṇāni ca ॥2-28-52॥
Then he sent gems of various kinds, chief sandalwood and aloeswood, and divine ornaments. (2-28-52)
vāsāṃsi ca mahārhāṇi maṇīṃścaiva mahādhanān। nyavartata tato dhīmān sahadevaḥ pratāpavān ॥2-28-53॥
The wise and valiant Sahadeva withdrew from there, taking the garments, very precious gems, and great treasures. (2-28-53)
evaṃ nirjitya tarasā sāntvena vijayena ca। karadān pārthivān kṛtvā pratyāgacchad ariṃdamaḥ ॥2-28-54॥
Thus, having conquered by strength, conciliation, and victory, and having made the kings pay tribute, the subduer of enemies returned. (2-28-54)
dharmarājāya tatsarvaṃ nivedya bharatarṣabha। kṛtakarmā sukhaṃ rājannuvasajanamejaya ॥2-28-55॥
After reporting everything to Dharmarāja, O best of the Bharatas, Janamejaya, having fulfilled his duties, lived happily, O king. (2-28-55)
