“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘After some time, Bhishma
the intelligent son of Shantanu set his heart upon getting Pandu married to a
second wife. Accompanied by an army composed of four kinds of force (infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots), and also by aged councilors, Brahmanas and Maharishis, he went to the
capital of the king of Madra. That bull of the Valhikas -- the king of Madra --
hearing that Bhishma had arrived, went out to receive him. Having received him
with respect, he got him to enter his palace. Arriving there, the king of Madra
offered to Bhishma a white carpet for a seat; water to wash his feet with, and
usual oblation of various ingredients indicative of respect.
“When he was seated at ease, the king asked him about
the reason of his visit. Then Bhishma -- the supporter of the dignity of the
Kurus -- addressed the king of Madra and said, ‘O oppressor of all enemies,
know that I have come for the hand of a woman. It has been heard by us that you
have a sister named Maadri celebrated for her beauty and endued with every
virtue; I would chose her for Pandu. You are, O king, in every respect worthy
of an alliance with us, and we also are worthy of you. Thinking upon all this,
O king of Madra, accept us duly.’
“The ruler of Madra, thus addressed by Bhishma,
replied, ‘To my mind, there is none else than one of your family with whom I
can enter into an alliance. But there is a custom in our family observed by our
ancestors, which, be it good or bad, I am incapable of violate. It is
well-known, and therefore is known to you as well, I do not doubt. Therefore,
it is not proper for you to say to me -- Give your sister. The custom to which
I mention is our family custom. With us that is a Dharma and worthy of observance.
O slayer of enemies, it is for this only I cannot give you any assurance in the
matter of your request.’
“On hearing this, Bhishma answered the king of Madra
saying, ‘O king, this no doubt is a Dharma. The Swayambu (Lord Brahma) Himself has
said it. Your ancestors were observant of custom. There is no fault to find with
it. O Shalya, it is also well-known that this custom in respect of family
dignity has the approval of the wise and the good.’
“Saying this Bhishma of great energy, gave to Shalya
much gold both coined and uncoined, and precious stones of various colours by
thousands, and elephants and horses and chariots, and much cloth and many
ornaments, and gems and pearls and corals. Shalya accepting with a cheerful
heart those precious gifts then gave away his sister (Maadri) decked in ornaments
to that bull of the Kuru race (Bhishma).
Then the wise Bhishma, the son of the oceangoing Ganga, rejoiced at the issue
of his mission, took Maadri with him, and returned to the Kuru capital named
after the elephant (Hastinapura).
“Then selecting on auspicious day and moment as
indicated by the wise for the ceremony, King Pandu was duly united with Maadri.
After the marriage was over, the Kuru king (Pandu) established his beautiful bride in beautiful
apartments. O king of kings (Janamejaya), that best of monarchs (Pandu)
then gave himself up to enjoyment in the company of his two wives as best he
liked and to the limit of his desires. O monarch (Janamejaya), after thirty days had elapsed, the Kuru
king (Pandu) started from his
capital for the conquest of the world. After respectfully saluting and bowing
to Bhishma and the other elders of the Kuru race, and with goodbye to
Dhritarashtra and others of the family, and obtaining their leave, he set out
on his grand campaign, accompanied by a large force of elephants, horses, and chariots,
and well-pleased with the blessings uttered by all around and the auspicious
rites performed by the citizens for his success.
“Pandu, accompanied by such a strong force marched
against various enemies. That tiger among men -- that spreader of the fame of
the Kurus -- first subjugated the robber tribes of Dashaarna. He next turned
his army composed of innumerable elephants, cavalry, infantry, and charioteers,
with standards of various colours against Dhaarvaa -- the ruler of the kingdom
of Maghadha who was proud of his strength, and offended against numerous
monarchs. Attacking him in his capital, Pandu slew him there, and took
everything in his treasury and also vehicles and draught animals without
number. He then marched into Mithila and subjugated the Videhas. O bull among
men (Janamejaya), then Pandu led his army against Kashi, Suhnaa and Pundra, and by the
strength and bravery of his arms spread the fame of the Kurus.
“Pandu, that oppressor of enemies, like to a mighty
fire whose far-reaching flames were represented by his arrows and splendour by
his weapons, began to consume all kings that came in contact with him. These
with their forces, conquered by Pandu at the head of his army, were made the
vassals of the Kurus. All kings of the world, thus vanquished by him, regarded
him as the one single hero on earth as Devas regard (Lord) Indra in heaven. The
kings of earth with joined palms bowed to him and waited on him with presents
of various kinds of gems and wealth, precious stones and pearls and corals, and
much gold and silver, and first-class cows and handsome horses and fine chariots
and elephants, and donkeys and camels and buffaloes, and goats and sheep, and
blankets and beautiful hides, and clothes woven out of furs.
“The king of Hastinapura (Pandu)
accepting those offerings retraced his
steps towards his capital (Hastinapura),
to the great delight of his subjects. The citizens and others filled with joy,
and kings and ministers, all began to say, ‘O, the fame of the achievements of
Shantanu, that tiger among kings, and of the wise Bharata, which were about to
die, has been revived by Pandu. They who robbed before the Kurus of both
territory and wealth have been subjugated by Pandu -- the tiger of Hastinapura --
and made to pay tribute.’
“All the citizens with Bhishma at their head went out
to receive the victorious king (Pandu). They had not proceeded far when they saw
the attendants of the king loaded with much wealth, and the train of various
conveyances loaded with all kinds of wealth, and of elephants, horses, chariots,
cows, camels and other animals, was so long that they saw not its end. Then
Pandu, seeing Bhishma, who was a father to him, worshipped his feet and saluted
the citizens and others as each deserved. Bhishma, too, embracing Pandu as his
son who had returned victorious after grinding many hostile kingdoms, wept
tears of joy. Pandu, instilling joy into the hearts of his people with a
flourish of trumpets and conchs (Shankha in Sanskrit) and kettle-drums, entered his capital (Hastinapura).’”
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