Pandava digvijaya: Conquering the four quadrants

After the illustrious Krishna, the son of Devaki, had departed having acquired that great victory and having also dispelled the fears of the kings, that feat, swelled the fame of the Pandavas. The Pandavas passed their days, continuing to gladden the heart of Draupadi. At that time, whatever was proper and consistent with virtue, pleasure, and profit, continued to be properly executed by king Yudhishthira in the exercise of his duties of protecting his subjects.

Arjuna conquers the North

Arjuna, having obtained that best of bows and that couple of inexhaustible quivers and that car and flag-staff, as also that assembly-house, addressing Yudhisthira said, “Bow, weapons, great energy, allies, territory, fame, army-those, O king, difficult of acquisition however desirable, have all been obtained by me. I think, therefore, that what should now be done is for the swelling up of our treasury. I desire to make the kings pay tributes to us. I desire to set out, in an auspicious moment of a holy day of the moon under a favourable constellation for the conquest of the direction that is presided over by the Lord of treasures, the North.”

King Yudhisthira the just, hearing these words of Dhananjaya, replied unto him in a grave and collected tone, saying, “O bull of the Bharata race, set you out, having made holy Brahmanas utter benedictions on you, to plunge your enemies in sorrow and to fill your friend with joy. Victory will surely be yours, and you will surely obtain your desires fulfilled.

Thus addressed, Arjuna, surrounded by a large host, set out in that celestial car of wonderful achievements he had obtained from Agni. Bhimasena also, and the twins, dismissed with affection by Yudhishthira the just set out, each at the head of a large army. Arjuna then brought under subjugation that direction North which was presided over by the Lord of treasures. Bhimasena overcome by force the East and Sahadeva the South, and Nakula, acquainted with all the weapons, conquered the West. Thus while his brothers were so employed, the exalted king Yudishthira the just stayed within Khandavaprastha in the enjoyment of great affluence in the midst of friends and relatives.

Bhagadatta, hearing this, said, “O you who have Kunti for your mother, as you are to me, so is Yudhishthira also. I shall do all this. Tell me, what else I may do for you." Thus addressed, Dhananjaya replied unto Bhagadatta, saying, “If you will give your promise to do this, you have done all I desire.”

Having thus subjugated the king of Pragjyotisha, Dhananjaya, then marched towards the north, the direction presided over by the lord of treasures. That bull amongst men then conquered the mountainous tracts and their outskirts, as also the hilly regions. Having conquered all the mountains and the kings that reigned there, and bringing them under his sway, he exacted tributes from all. Winning the affections of those kings and uniting himself with them, he next marched against Brihanta, the king of Uluka, making this earth tremble with the sound of his drums, the clatter of his chariot-wheels, and the roar of the elephants in his train. Brihanta, however, quickly coming out of his city followed by his army consisting of four kinds of troops, gave battle to Phalguna. The fight that took place between Brihanta and Dhananjaya was terrible. It so happened that Brihanta was unable to bear the prowess of the son of Pandu. Then that invincible king of the mountainous region regarding the son of Kunti irresistible, approached him with all his wealth. Arjuna snatched out the kingdom from Brihanta, but having made peace with him marched, accompanied by that king, against Senabindu whom he soon expelled from his kingdom.

After this he subjugated Modapura, Vamadeva, Sudaman, Susankula, the Northern Ulukas, and the kings of those countries and peoples. Hereafter at the command of Yudhishthira, Arjuna, did not move from the city of Senabindu but sent his troops only and brought under his sway those five countries and peoples. For Arjuna, having arrived at Devaprastha, the city of Senabindu, took up his quarters there with his army consisting of four kinds of forces. Thence, surrounded by the kings and the peoples he had subjugated, the hero marched against king Viswagaswa, that bull of Puru's race. Having vanquished in battle the brave mountaineers, who were all great warriors, the son of Pandu, then occupied with the help of his troops, the town protected by the Puru king. Having vanquished in battle the Puru king, as also the robber tribes, of the mountains, the son of Pandu brought under his sway the seven tribes called Utsava-sanketa. That bull of the Kshatriya race then defeated the brave Kshatriyas of Kashmira and also king Lohita along with ten minor chiefs. Then the Trigartas, the Daravas, the Kokonadas, and various other Kshatriyas, advanced against the son of Pandu. That Prince of the Kuru race then took the delightful town of Avisari, and then brought under his sway Rochamana ruling in Uraga. Then Arjuna, putting forth his might, pressed the delightful town of Singhapura that was well-protected with various weapons.

Then Arjuna, at the head of all his troops, fiercely attacked the regions called Suhma and Sumala. Then the son of Indra, endued with great prowess, after pressing them with great force, brought the Balhikas always difficult of being vanquished, under his sway. Then Phalguna, taking with him a select force, defeated the Daradas along with the Kambojas. Then the exalted son of Indra vanquished the robber tribes that dwelt in the north-eastern frontier and those also that dwelt in the woods. The son of Indra also subjugated the allied tribes of the Lohas, the eastern Kambojas, and northern Rishikas. The battle with the Rishikas was fierce in the extreme. Indeed, the fight that took place between them and the son of Pritha was equal to that between the gods and the Asuras in which Tara had become the cause of so much slaughter. Defeating the Rishikas in the field of battle, Arjuna took from them as tribute eight horses that were of the colour of the parrot's breast, as also other horses of the hues of the peacock, born in northern and other climes and endued with high speed. At last having conquered all the Himalayas and the Nishkuta mountains, that bull among men, arriving at the White mountains, encamped on its breast.

That heroic and foremost of the Pandavas endued with great energy, crossing the White mountains, subjugated the country of the Kimpurushas ruled by Durmaputra, after a collision involving a great slaughter of Kshatriyas, and brought the region under his complete sway. Having reduced that country, Arjuna with a collected mind marched at the head of his troops to the country called Harataka, ruled by the Guhakas. Subjugating them by a policy of conciliation, the Kuru prince beheld that excellent of lakes called Manasa and various other lakes and tanks sacred to the Rishis. The exalted prince having arrived at the lake Manasa conquered the regions ruled by the Gandharvas that lay around the Harataka territories. Here the conqueror took, as tribute from the country, numerous excellent horses called Tittiri, Kalmasha, Manduka.

At last the son of the slayer of Paka, arriving in the country of North Harivarsha desired to conquer it. Thereupon certain frontier-guards of huge bodies and endued with great strength and energy, coming to him with gallant hearts, said, “O son of Pritha, this country can be never conquered by you. If you seek your good, return hence. He that enters this region, if human, is sure to perish. We have been gratified with you; O hero, your conquests have been enough. Nor is anything to be seen here, O Arjuna, that may be conquered by you. The Northern Kurus live here. There cannot be war here. Even if you interest it, you will not be able to behold anything, for with human eyes nothing can be seen here. If, however you seek anything else, tell us, so that we may do your bidding.” Thus addressed by them, Arjuna smilingly addressing them, said, “I desire the acquisition of the imperial dignity by Yudhishthira the just, of great intelligence. If your land is shut against human beings, I shall not enter it. Let something be paid unto Yudhishthira by you as tribute.” Hearing these words of Arjuna, they gave him as tribute many cloths and ornaments of celestial make, silks of celestial texture and skins of celestial origin.

It was thus that tiger among men subjugated the countries that lay to the North, having fought numberless battles with both Kshatriya and robber tribes. Having vanquished the chiefs and brought them under his sway he exacted from them much wealth, various gems and jewels, the horses of the species called Tittiri and Kalmasha, as also those of the colour of the parrot's wings and those that were like the peacocks in hue and all endued with the speed of the wind. Surrounded by a large army consisting of the four kinds of forces, the hero came back to the excellent city of Sakraprastha. Partha offered the whole of that wealth, together with the animals he had brought, unto Yudhishthira the just. Commanded by the monarch, the hero retired to a chamber of the palace for rest.

Bhimasena conquers the East

In the meantime, Bhimasena also endued with great energy, having obtained the assent of Yudhishthira the just marched towards the eastern direction. The tiger among the Bharatas, possessed of great valour and ever increasing the sorrows of his foes, was accompanied by a mighty host with the full complement of elephants and horses and cars, well-armed and capable of crushing all hostile kingdoms. That tiger among men, going first into the great country of the Panchalas, began by various means to conciliate that tribe. Then that hero, within a short time, vanquished the Gandakas and the Videhas. That exalted one then subjugated the Dasarnas. There in the country of the Dasarnas, the king called Sudharman with his bare arms fought a fierce battle with Bhimasena. Bhimasena, beholding that feat of the illustrious king, appointed the mighty Sudharman as the first in command of his forces. Then Bhima of terrible prowess marched towards the east, causing the earth itself to tremble with the tread of the mighty host that followed him. Then that hero who in strength was the foremost of all strong men defeated in battle Rochamana, the king of Aswamedha, at the head of all his troops. The son of Kunti, having vanquished that monarch by performing feats that excelled in fierceness, subjugated the eastern region. Then that prince of the Kuru race, endued with great prowess going into the country of Pulinda in the south, brought Sukumara and the king Sumitra under his sway.

Then, that bull in the Bharata race, at the command of Yudhishthira the just marched against Sisupala of great energy. The king of Chedi, hearing of the intentions of the son of Pandu, came out of his city. That chastiser of all foes then received the son of Pritha with respect. Then, those bulls of the Chedi and the Kuru lines, thus met together, enquired after each other's welfare. Then, the king of Chedi offered his kingdom unto Bhima and said smilingly, “O sinless one, upon what are you bent?” Bhima thereupon represented unto him the intentions of king Yudhishthira. Bhima dwelt there, for thirty nights, duly entertained by Sisupala. After this he set out from Chedi with his troops and vehicles.

That chastiser of all foes then vanquished king Srenimat of the country of Kumara, and then Brihadbala, the king of Kosala. Then the foremost of the sons of Pandu, by performing feats excelling in fierceness, defeated the virtuous and mighty king Dirghayaghna of Ayodhya. The exalted one then subjugated the country of Gopalakaksha and the northern Kosalas and also the king of Mallas. The mighty one, arriving then in the moist region at the foot of the Himalayas soon brought the whole country under his sway. That bull of Bharata race brought under control in this way diverse countries. Endued with great energy and in strength the foremost of all strong men, the son of Pandu next conquered the country of Bhallata, as also the mountain of Suktimanta that was by the side of Bhallata. Then Bhima of terrible prowess and long arms, vanquishing in battle the un-retreating Subahu the king of Kasi, brought him under complete sway. Then that bull among the sons of Pandu overcame in battle, by sheer force, the great king Kratha reigning in the region lying about Suparsa. Then the hero of great energy vanquished the Matsya and the powerful Maladas and the country called Pasubhumi that was without fear or oppression of any kind. The long-armed hero then, coming from that land, conquered Madahara, Mahidara, and the Somadheyas, and turned his steps towards the north. The mighty son of Kunti then subjugated, by sheer force, the country called Vatsabhumi, and the king of the Bhargas, as also the ruler of the Nishadas and Manimat and numerous other kings. Then Bhima, with scarcely any degree of exertion and very soon, vanquished the southern Mallas and the Bhagauanta mountains. The hero next vanquished, by policy alone, the Sarmakas and the Varmakas.

That tiger among men then defeated with comparative ease that lord of earth, Janaka the king of the Videhas. The hero then subjugated strategically the Sakas and the barbarians living in that part of the country. The son of Pandu, sending forth expeditions from Videha, conquered the seven kings of the Kiratas living about the Indra mountain. The mighty hero then, endued with abundant energy, vanquished in battle the Submas and the Prasuhmas. Winning them over to his side, the son of Kunti, possessed of great strength, marched against Magadha. On his way he subjugated the monarchs known by the names of Danda and Dandadhara, Accompanied by those monarchs, the son of Pandu marched against Girivraja. After bringing the son of Jarasandha under his sway by conciliation and making him pay tribute, the hero then accompanied by the monarchs he had vanquished, marched against Kansa. Making the earth tremble by means of his troops consisting of the four kinds of forces, the foremost of the Pandavas then encountered Karna that slayer of foes. Having subjugated Karna and brought him under his sway, the mighty hero then vanquished the powerful king of the mountainous regions. The son of Pandu then slew in a fierce encounter, by the strength of his arms, the mighty king who dwelt in Madagiri. The Pandava then, subjugated in battle those strong and brave heroes of fierce prowess, the heroic and mighty Vasudeva, the king of Pundra and king Mahaujah who reigned in Kausika-kachchha, and then attacked the king of Vanga. Having vanquished Samudrasena and king Chandrasena and Tamralipta, and also the king of the Karvatas and the ruler of the Suhmas, as also the kings that dwelt on the sea-shore, that bull among the Bharatas then conquered all Mlechchha tribes. The mighty son of the wind-god having thus conquered various countries, and exacting tributes from them all advanced towards Lohity. The son of Pandu then made all the Mlechchha kings dwelling in the marshy regions on the sea-coast, pay tributes and various kinds of wealth, and sandal wood and aloes, and clothes and gems, and pearls and blankets and gold and silver and valuable corals. The Mlechchha kings showered upon the illustrious son of Kunti a thick downpour of wealth consisting of coins and gems counted by hundreds of millions. Then returning to Indraprastha, Bhima of terrible prowess offered the whole of that wealth unto king Yudhisthira the just.

Sahadeva conquers the South

Thus also Sahadeva, dismissed with affection by king Yudhisthira the just, marched towards the southern direction accompanied by a mighty host. Strong in strength, that mighty prince of the Kuru race, vanquishing completely at the outset the Surasenas, brought the king of Matsya under his sway. The hero then, defeating Dantavakra, the mighty king of the Adhirajas and making him pay tribute, re-established him on his throne. The prince then brought under his sway Sukumara and then king Sumitra, and he next vanquished the other Matsyas and then the Patacharas. Endued with great intelligence, the Kuru warrior then conquered soon enough the country of the Nishadas and also the high hill called Gosringa, and that lord of earth called Srenimat. Subjugating next the country called Navarashtra, the hero marched against Kuntibhoja, who with great willingness accepted the sway of the conquering hero. Marching thence to the banks of the Charmanwati, the Kuru warrior met the son of king Jambaka, who had, on account of old hostilities, been defeated before by Vasudeva. The son of Jambaka gave battle to Sahadeva. Sahadeva defeating the prince marched towards the south. The mighty warrior then vanquished the Sekas and others, and exacted tributes from them and also various kinds of gems and wealth. Allying himself with the vanquished tribes the prince then marched towards the countries that lay on the banks of the Narmada. Defeating there in battle the two heroic kings of Avanti, called Vinda and Anuvinda, supported by a mighty host, the mighty son of the twin gods exacted much wealth from them. After this the hero marched towards the town of Bhojakata, and there, a fierce encounter took place between him and the king of that city for two whole days. But the son of Madri, vanquishing the invincible Bhismaka, then defeated in battle the king of Kosala and the ruler of the territories lying on the banks of the Venwa, as also the Kantarakas and the kings of the eastern Kosalas. The hero then defeating both the Natakeyas and the Herambaks in battle, and subjugating the country of Marudha, reduced Munjagrama by sheer strength.

The son of Pandu then vanquished the mighty monarchs of the Nachinas and the Arbukas and the various forest king of that part of the country. Endued with great strength the hero then reduced to subjection king Vatadhipa. Defeating in battle the Pulindas, the hero then marched southward. The younger brother of Nakula then fought for one whole day with the king of Pandrya. The long-armed hero having vanquished that monarch marched further to the south. Then he beheld the celebrated caves of Kishkindha and in that region fought for seven days with the monkey-kings Mainda and Dwivida. Those illustrious kings however, without being tired an the encounter, were gratified with Sahadeva. Joyfully addressing the Kuru prince, they said, “O tiger among the sons of Pandu, go hence, taking with the tribute from us all. Let the mission of the king Yudhishthira the just possessed of great intelligence, be accomplished without hindrance.”

Taking jewels and gems from them all, the hero marched towards the city of Mahishmati, and there that bull of men did battle with king Nila. The battle that took place between king Nila and the mighty Sahadeva the son of Pandu, that slayer of hostile heroes, was fierce and terrible. The encounter was an exceedingly bloody one, and the life of the hero himself was exposed to great risk, for the god Agni himself assisted king Nila in that fight. Then the cars, heroes, elephants, and the soldiers in their coats of mail of Sahadeva's army all appeared to be on fire. Beholding this the prince of the Kuru race became exceedingly anxious. At sight of this the hero could not resolve upon what he should do.

It is said that the god Agni while residing in Mahishmati, earned the reputation of a lover. King Nila had a daughter who was exceedingly beautiful. She used always to stay near the sacred fire of her father, causing it to blaze up with vigour. It so happened that king Nila's fire, even if fanned, would not blaze up till agitated by the gentle breath of that girl's fair lips. It was said in King Nila's palace and in the house of all his subjects that the god Agni desired that beautiful girl for his bride. It so happened that he was accepted by the girl herself. One day the deity assuming the form of a Brahmana, was happily enjoying the society of the fair one, when he was discovered by the king. The virtuous king thereupon ordered the Brahmana to be punished according to law. At this the illustrious deity flamed up in wrath. And beholding this, the king wondered much and bent his head low on the ground. And after some time the king bowing low bestowed the daughter of his upon the god Agni, disguised as a Brahmana. The god Agni accepting that fair-browed daughter of king Nila, became gracious unto that monarch. Agni, the illustrious gratifier of all desires also asked the monarch to beg a boon of him. The king begged that his troops might never be struck with panic while engaged in battle. From that time, those monarchs who from ignorance of this, desire to subjugate king Nila's city, are consumed by Hutasana Agni. From that time, the girls of the city of Mahishmati became rather unacceptable to others. Agni by his boon granted them sexual liberty, so that the women of that town always roam about at will, each unbound to a particular husband. From that time the monarchs forsake this city for fear of Agni.

The virtuous Sahadeva, beholding his troops afflicted with fear and surrounded by flames of fire, himself stood there immovable as a mountain. Purifying himself and touching water, the Sahadeva then addressed Agni, the god that sanctifies everything, in these words, “I bow unto you, O you whose track is always marked with smoke. These my exertions are all for you. O you sanctifier of all, you are the mouth of the gods and you are Sacrifice personified. You are called Pavaka because you sanctifies everything, and you are Havyavahana, because you carry the clarified butter that is poured on you. The Veda have sprung for ministering unto you, and, therefore, you are called Jataveda. Chief of the gods as you are, you are called Chitrabhanu, Anala, Vibhavasu, Hutasana, Jvalana, Sikhi, Vaiswanara, Pingesa, Plavanga, Bhuritejah. You are he from whom Kumara had his origin; you are holy; you are called Rudragarva and Hiranyakrit. Let you, O Agni, grant me energy, let Vayu grant me life, let Earth grant me nourishment and strength, and let Water grant me prosperity. O Agni, you who are the first cause of the waters, you who are of great purity, you for ministering unto whom the Vedas have sprung, you who are the foremost of the deities, you who are their mouth, O purify me by your truth. Rishis and Brahmanas, Deities and Asuras pour clarified butter every day, according to the ordinance into you during sacrifices. Let the rays of truth emanating from you, while you exhibit yourself in those sacrifices, purify me. Smoke-bannered as you are and possessed of flames, you great purifier from all sins born of Vayu and ever present as you are in all creatures, O purify me by the rays of your truth. Having cleansed myself thus cheerfully, O exalted one, do I pray unto you. O Agni, grant me now contentment and prosperity, and knowledge and gladness.”

He that will pour clarified butter into Agni reciting these mantras, will ever be blessed with prosperity, and having his soul under complete control will also be cleansed from all his sins.

Sahadeva, addressing Agni again, said, “O carrier of the sacrificial libations, it beholds you not to obstruct a sacrifice!” Having said this, that son of Madri spreading some kusa grass on earth sat down in expectation of the fire and in front of those terrified and anxious troops of his. Agni, too, like the ocean that never transgresses its continents, did not pass over his head. On the other hand approaching Sahadeva quietly and addressing that prince of the Kuru race, Agni that god of men gave him every assurance and said, “O you of the Kuru race, rise up from this posture. O rise up, I was only trying you. I know all your purpose, as also those of the son of Dharma. But, O best of the Bharata race, as long as there is a descendant of king Nila's line, so long should this town be protected by me. I will, however, gratify the desires of your heart.” At these words of Agni, the son of Madri rose up with a cheerful heart, and joining his hands and bending his head worshipped that god of fire, sanctifier of all beings. At last, after Agni had disappeared, king Nila came there, and at the command of that deity, worshipped with due rites Sahadeva. Sahadeva accepted that worship and made him pay tribute. Having brought king Nila under his sway thus, the victorious son of Madri then went further towards the south.

The long-armed hero then brought the king of Tripura of immeasurable energy under his sway. Next turning his forces against the Paurava kingdom, he vanquished and reduced to subjection the monarch thereof. The prince, after this, with great efforts brought Akriti, the king of Saurashtra and preceptor of the Kausikas under his sway. The virtuous prince, while staying in the kingdom of Saurashtra sent an ambassador unto king Rukmin of Bhishmaka within the territories of Bhojakata, who, rich in possessions and intelligence, was the friend of Indra himself. The monarch along with his son, remembering their relationship with Krishna, cheerfully accepted, O king, the sway of the son of Pandu. The master of battle then, having exacted jewels and wealth from king Rukmin, marched further to the south. Endued with great energy and great strength, the hero then, reduced to subjection, Surparaka and Talakata, and the Dandakas also. The Kuru warrior then vanquished and brought under his subjection numberless kings of the Mlechchha tribe living on the sea coast, and the Nishadas and the cannibals and even the Karnapravarnas, and those tribes also called the Kalamukhas who were a cross between human beings and Rakshasas, and the whole of the Cole mountains, and also Surabhipatna, and the island called the Copper island, and the mountain called Ramaka. The high-souled warrior, having brought under subjection king Timingila, conquered a wild tribe known by the name of the Kerakas who were men with one leg. The son of Pandu also conquered the town of Sanjayanti and the country of the Pashandas and the Karahatakas by means of his messengers alone, and made all of them pay tributes to him. The hero brought under his subjection and exacted tributes from the Paundrayas and the Dravidas along with the Udrakeralas and the Andhras and the Talavanas, the Kalingas and the Ushtrakarnikas, and also the delightful city of Atavi and that of the Yavanas. That slayer of all foes, the virtuous and intelligent son of Madri having arrived at the sea-shore, then despatched with great assurance messengers unto the illustrious Vibhishana, the grandson of Pulastya. The monarch willingly accepted the sway of the son of Pandu, for that intelligent and exalted king regarded it all as the act of Time. He sent unto the son of Pandu diverse kinds of jewels and gems, and sandal and also wood, and many celestial ornaments, and much costly apparel, and many valuable pearls. The intelligent Sahadeva, accepting them all, returned to his own kingdom.

Thus it was, that slayer of all foes, having vanquished by conciliation and war numerous kings and having also made them pay tribute, came back to his own city. The bull of the Bharata race, having presented the whole of that wealth unto king Yudhisthira the just regarded himself, as crowned with success and continued to live happily.

Nakula conquers the West

The intelligent Nakula, surrounded by a large host, set out from Khandavaprastha for the west, making this earth tremble with the shouts and the leonine roars of the warriors and the deep rattle of chariot wheels. The hero first assailed the mountainous country called Rohitaka that was dear unto Kartikeya and which was delightful and prosperous and full of kine and every kind of wealth and produce. The encounter the son of Pandu had with the Mattamyurakas of that country was fierce. The illustrious Nakula after this, subjugated the whole of the desert country and the region known as Sairishaka full of plenty, as also that other one called Mahetta. The hero had a fierce encounter with the royal sage Akrosa. The son of Pandu left that part of the country having subjugated the Dasarnas, the Sibis, the Trigartas, the Amvashtas, the Malavas, the five tribes of the Karnatas, and those twice born classes that were called the Madhyama-keyas and Vattadhanas. Making circuitous journey that bull among men then conquered the Mlechcha tribes called the Utsava-sanketas. The illustrious hero soon brought under subjection the mighty Gramaniya that dwelt on the shore of the sea, and the Sudras and the Abhiras that dwelt on the banks of the Saraswati, and all those tribes that lived upon fisheries, and those also that dwelt on the mountains, and the whole of the country called after the five rivers, and the mountains called Amara, and the country called Uttarayotisha and the city of Divyakutta and the tribe called Dwarapala. The son of Pandu, by sheer force, reduced to subjection the Ramathas, the Harahunas, and various kings of the west. While staying there Nakula sent messengers unto Vasudeva. Vasudeva with all the Yadavas accepted his sway. The mighty hero, proceeding thence to Sakala, the city of the Madras, made his uncle Salya accept from affection the sway of the Pandavas. The illustrious prince deserving the hospitality and entertainment at his uncle's hands, was well entertained by his uncle. Skilled in war, the prince, taking from Salya a large quantity of jewels and gems, left his kingdom. The son of Pandu then reduced to subjection the fierce Mlechchas residing on the sea coast, as also the wild tribes of the Palhavas, the Kiratas, the Yavanas, and the Sakas. Having subjugated various monarchs, and making all of them pay tributes, Nakula that foremost of the Kurus, full of resources, retraced his way towards his own city. So great was the treasure which Nakula brought that ten thousand camels could carry it with difficulty on their backs. And arriving at Indraprastha, the heroic and fortunate son of Madri presented the whole of that wealth unto Yudhishthira.

Thus, did Nakula subjugate the countries that lay to the west, the direction that is presided over by the god Varuna, and that had once before been subjugated by Vasudeva himself!