NAKULA’S WESTWARD EXPEDITION

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > DIGVIJAYA PARVA > CHAPTER 31 - NAKULA’S WESTWARD EXPEDITION

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘I shall now recite to you the actions and triumphs of Nakula, and how that noble one conquered the direction that had once been subjugated by Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna). The intelligent Nakula, surrounded by a large army, set out from Khandavaprasthaa for the west, making this earth shake with the shouts and the lion-like roars of the warriors and the deep rattle of chariot wheels. The hero (Nakula) first attacked the mountainous country called Rohitaka that was dear to (the Deva Senapati) Kaarttikeya (Lord Murugan), which was delightful, prosperous, full of cows and every kind of wealth and produce. The encounter the Paandavaa (Nakula) had with the Mattamayoorakaas of that country was fierce. The illustrious Nakula after this, subjugated the whole of the desert country (Marubhoomi in Sanskrit) and the region known as Shaireeshaka full of plenty, as also that other one called Mahechcha. The hero (Nakula) had a fierce encounter with the Rajarishi Akrosha.

“The Paandavaa (Nakula) left that part of the country having subjugated the Dasharnaas, the Shibis, the Trigartaas, the Ambashtaas, the Maalavaas, the five tribes of the Karpataas, and those Dwijas that were called the Madhyamikaayaas and Vaattadhaanaas. Making circuitous journey that bull among men (Nakula) then conquered the (Mlechcha) tribes called the Utsava-sanketaas. The illustrious hero (Nakula) soon brought under subjection the mighty Graamaneyaa that dwelt on the shore of the sea, the Shoodraas and the Abhiras that dwelt on the banks of the (river) 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 (possibly present-day Punjab region), the mountains called Aapara, and the country called Uttarajyotika, the city of Vrindaataka and the tribe called Dwaarapaala.

“The Paandavaa (Nakula), by sheer force, reduced to subjection the Ramathaas, the Haarahoonaas, and various kings of the west. While staying there Nakula sent, O Bharata, messengers to Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna). Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna) with all the Yaadavaas accepted his rule. The mighty hero (Nakula), proceeding there to Shaakala, the city of the Madraas, made his uncle Shalya accept from affection the rule of the Paandavaas. O monarch (Janamejaya), the illustrious prince (Nakula) deserving the hospitality and entertainment at his uncle’s hands, was well entertained by his uncle. Skilled in war, the prince, taking from Shalya a large quantity of jewels and gems, left his kingdom. The Paandavaa (Nakula) then reduced to subjection the fierce Mlechchaas residing on the sea coast, as also the wild tribes of the Palhavaas, the Kirataas, the Yavanaas, and the Shakas. 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. O king (Janamejaya), so great was the treasure which Nakula brought that ten thousand camels could carry it with difficulty on their backs. Arriving at Indraprasthaa, the heroic and fortunate son of Maadri (Nakula) presented the whole of that wealth unto Yudhishthira.

“Thus, O king (Janamejaya), did Nakula subjugate the countries that lay to the west – the direction that is presided over by (Lord) Varuna, and that had once before been subjugated by Vaasudeva Himself!’”