02.028
Pancharatra: Sahadeva’s conquest of the south Regions.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Likewise, Sahadeva, having been honored by Dharmaraja, set out with a large army towards the southern direction. (2-28-1)
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)
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)
He brought the gentle Sumitra and the king under his control; likewise, he defeated the other Matsyas and the Pataccaras. (2-28-4)
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)
After conquering the new kingdom, he approached Kuntibhoja and, with affection, accepted his command. (2-28-6)
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)
He engaged in battle there with Bhoja, O Bhārata. Having defeated him in battle, he proceeded southward. (2-28-8)
Having taken their hands and various gems, then, accompanied by them, he proceeded towards the Narmadā river. (2-28-9)
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)
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)
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)
Agni, the Lord, created assistance for him, bringing about the destruction of the army and endangering lives. (2-28-13)
At that time, blazing horses, chariots, elephants, men, and armours were seen in Sahadeva's army. (2-28-14)
Then, the descendant of Kuru became greatly agitated in mind. Janamejaya was unable to give any reply. (2-28-15)
Janamejaya said.
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 said.
There, it is said that the revered Agni, resident of Māhiṣmatī, was once restrained in the past for adultery. (2-28-17)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Thus, Agni granted women a boon without opposition; there, women indeed move about freely as they wish. (2-28-24)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Agni slowly approached Sahadeva, the god among men, and spoke these conciliatory words to the delight of the Kurus. (2-28-32)
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)
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)
Then, the son of Madri, the best among men, rose joyfully, bowed his head with joined palms, and worshipped Agni. (2-28-35)
When the fire was extinguished, King Nila respectfully approached Sahadeva, the tiger among men and lord of warriors. (2-28-36)
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)
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)
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)
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)
O king, that righteous-souled Bhīṣmaka, who was indeed a friend of Indra, along with his son, accepted the command. (2-28-41)
With affection, the mighty-armed one looked at Vasudeva, and then, taking the gems, the lord of the warriors departed again. (2-28-42)
Then, the mighty and radiant one brought Śūrpāraka, the group called Upakṛtāhvaya, and the Daṇḍakas under his control. (2-28-43)
And also the inhabitants of ocean islands, kings of barbarian origin, Niṣādas, man-eaters, and even those who cover their ears. (2-28-44)
And those men called Kālamukhās, of demonic origin; the whole of Kollagiri and also Murachīpattana. (2-28-45)
The great-minded one brought under his control the island called Tāmra, the mountain called Rāma, Timiṅgila, and the king. (2-28-46)
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)
The Pāṇḍyas and the Draviḍas, along with the Uḍras and Keralas; the Andhras, the Talavanas, the Kaliṅgas, and the Oṣṭra-Karṇikas. (2-28-48)
He brought Antākhī, Romā, and the city of the Yavanas under his control through messengers and made them pay tribute. (2-28-49)
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)
He accepted his command with affection, and the wise lord approved that which was done at the proper time. (2-28-51)
Then he sent gems of various kinds, chief sandalwood and aloeswood, and divine ornaments. (2-28-52)
The wise and valiant Sahadeva withdrew from there, taking the garments, very precious gems, and great treasures. (2-28-53)
Thus, having conquered by strength, conciliation, and victory, and having made the kings pay tribute, the subduer of enemies returned. (2-28-54)
After reporting everything to Dharmarāja, O best of the Bharatas, Janamejaya, having fulfilled his duties, lived happily, O king. (2-28-55)
