BHIMASENA CONTINUES THE EXPEDITION

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > DIGVIJAYA PARVA > CHAPTER 29 - BHIMASENA CONTINUES THE EXPEDITION

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘That punisher of all enemies then vanquished king Srenimanta of the country of Kumaara, and then Brihadbala, the king of Kosala. Then the foremost of the Paandavaas (Bhimasena), by performing feats excelling in fierceness (Teevra Karmanaa in Sanskrit), defeated the virtuous and mighty king Deerghapraghnya of Ayodhya. The noble one (Bhimasena) then subjugated the country of Gopaalakachcha, the northern Kosalaas and also the king of Mallaas. The mighty one (Bhimasena), arriving then in the moist region at the foot of the Himalayas soon brought the whole country under his rule. That bull of Bharata race (Bhimasena) brought under control in this way diverse countries.

“Filled with great energy and in strength the foremost of all strong men, the Paandavaa (Bhimasena) next conquered the country of Unnaata, as also the mountain of Kukshimanta that was by the side of Unnaata. Then Bhima of terrible prowess and long arms, vanquishing in battle the unretreating Subandhu the king of Kaashi, brought him under complete rule. Then that bull among Paandavaas (Bhimasena) overcame in battle, by sheer force, the great king Kratha reigning in the region lying about Supaarshwa. Then the hero of great energy (Bhimasena) vanquished the Matsya, the powerful Malayaas and the country called Pashubhoomi that was without fear or oppression of any kind. The long-armed hero (Bhimasena) then, coming from that land, conquered Madaveeka, Mahidara, and the Sopadesha, and turned his steps towards the north.

“The mighty son of Kunti (Bhimasena) then subjugated, by sheer force, the country called Vatsabhoomi, and the king of the Bhargaas, as also the ruler of the Nishaadaas, Manimat and numerous other kings. Then Bhima, with scarcely any degree of effort and very soon, vanquished the southern Mallaas and the Bhogavanta mountains. The hero next vanquished, by policy alone, the Sharmakaan and the Varmakaan. That tiger among men (Bhimasena) then defeated with comparative ease that lord of earth, Janaka the king of the Videhaas. The hero then subjugated strategically the Sakas and the barbarians living in that part of the country. The Paandavaa (Bhimasena), sending forth expeditions from Videha, conquered the seven kings of the Kiraataas living about the Indra mountain (Indra Parvata in Sanskrit). The mighty hero (Bhimasena) then, filled with abundant energy, vanquished in battle the Suhmaan and the Praachyasuhmaan. Winning them over to his side, the son of Kunti (Bhimasena), possessed of great strength, marched against Magadha.

“On his way, he subjugated the monarchs known by the names of Danda and Dandadhaara, Acccompanied by those monarchs, the Paandavaa (Bhimasena) marched against Girivraja. After bringing the son of Jaraasandha under his rule by conciliation and making him pay tribute, the hero (Bhimasena) then accompanied by the monarchs he had vanquished, marched against Karna. Making the earth shake by means of his troops consisting of the four kinds of forces (Chariots, Elephants, Cavalry and Infantry), the foremost of the Paandavaas (Bhimasena) then encountered Karna – that slayer of enemies. O Bharata (Janamejaya), having subjugated Karna and brought him under his rule, the mighty hero (Bhimasena) then vanquished the powerful king of the mountainous regions. The Paandavaa (Bhimasena) then slew in a fierce encounter, by the strength of his arms, the mighty king who stayed in Modaagiri. The Paandavaa (Bhimasena) then, O king (Janamejaya), subjugated in battle those strong and brave heroes of fierce prowess, viz., the heroic and mighty Vaasudeva, the king of Pundra and king Mahaujasa who reigned in Kaushikikachchha, and then attacked the king of Vanga (present-day Bengal). Having vanquished Samudrasena, king Chandrasena and Taamralipta, and also the king of the Karvatas and the ruler of the Suhmaanas, as also the kings that stayed on the sea-shore, that bull among the Bharatas (Bhimasena) then conquered all Mlechchha tribes (Mlechchha Gana in Sanskrit). The mighty son of Pavanaa (Bhimasena) having thus conquered various countries, and exacting tributes from them all advanced towards Lohitya. The Paandavaa then made all the Mlechchha kings dwelling in the marshy regions on the sea-coast, pay tributes and various kinds of wealth, sandal wood and aloes, clothes and gems, pearls, blankets, gold, silver and valuable corals. The Mlechchha kings showered upon the illustrious son of Kunti (Bhimasena) a thick downpour of wealth consisting of coins and gems counted by hundreds of crores (thousands of millions). Then returning to Indraprastha, Bhima of terrible prowess offered the whole of that wealth to Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira).’”