SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN OF SAHADEVA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > DIGVIJAYA PARVA > CHAPTER 30(A) - SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN OF SAHADEVA

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Thus also Sahadeva, dismissed with affection by Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira), marched towards the southern direction accompanied by a mighty army. Strong in strength, that mighty prince of the Kuru race, vanquishing completely at the outset the Shoorasenaas, brought the king of Matsya under his rule. The hero (Sahadeva) then, defeating Dantavakra, the mighty king of the Adhiraajaas and making him pay tribute, re-established him on his throne. The prince then brought under his rule Sukumaara and then king Sumitra, and he next vanquished the other Matsyas and then the Patachcharaas. Filled with great intelligence, the Kuru warrior (Sahadeva) then conquered soon enough the country of the Nishaadas and also the high hill called Gosringa (a mountain near present-day Narwar in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh, India), and that lord of earth called Srenimanta. Subjugating next the country called Navarashtra, the hero (Sahadeva) marched against Kuntibhoja, who with great willingness accepted the rule (Shaasanam in Sanskrit) of the conquering hero.

“Marching from there to the banks of the Charmanwatee (present-day Chambal river), the Kuru warrior met the son of king Jambhaka, who had, on account of old hostilities, been defeated before by Vaasudeva (Sri Krishna). O Bharata (Janamejaya), the son of Jambhaka gave battle to Sahadeva. Sahadeva defeating the prince marched towards the south. The mighty warrior then vanquished the Karaas and others, and exacted tributes from them and also various kinds of gems and wealth. Allying himself with the vanquished tribes the prince (Sahadeva) then marched towards the countries that lay on the banks of the Narmada (present-day Narmada river). Defeating there in battle the two heroic kings of Avanti (a Mahajanapada kingdom in between present-day Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra), called Vinda and Anuvinda, supported by a mighty army, the mighty son of the twin (Ashwini) Devas exacted much wealth from them.

“After this the hero (Sahadeva) marched towards the town of Bhojakata, and there, O king of unfading glory (Janamejaya), a fierce encounter took place between him and the king of that city for two whole days. But the son of Madri (Sahadeva), vanquishing the invincible Bhismaka, then defeated in battle the king of Koshala and the ruler of the territories lying on the banks of the Venna (present-day Venna River in Satara district, Maharashtra, India), as also the Kantarakas and the kings of the eastern Kosalaas. The hero (Sahadeva) then defeating both the Natakeyas and the Herambakas in battle, subjugating the country of Marudha, reduced Munjagrama by sheer strength. The Paandavaa (Sahadeva) then vanquished the mighty monarchs of the Nachinas, the Arvukas and the various forest king of that part of the country. Filled with great strength the hero then reduced to subjection king Vataadhipa. Defeating in battle the Pulindaas, the hero (Sahadeva) then marched southward. The younger brother of Nakula (Sahadeva) 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 saw the celebrated caves of Kishkindha and in that region fought for seven days with the monkey-kings (Vaanara Raaja in Sanskrit) Mainda and Dwivida. Those illustrious kings however, without being tired an encounter, were pleased with Sahadeva. Joyfully addressing the Kuru prince, they said, ‘O tiger among Paandavaas (Sahadeva), go hence, taking with the tribute from us all. Let the mission of Dharmaraja Yudhishthira possessed of great intelligence, be accomplished without hindrance.’

“Taking jewels and gems from them all, the hero (Sahadeva) marched towards the city of Maahishmati, and there that bull of men did battle with king Neela. The battle that took place between king Neela and the mighty Sahadeva – the Paandavaa, that slayer of hostile heroes, was fierce and terrible. The encounter was an exceedingly bloody one, and the life of the hero (Sahadeva) himself was exposed to great risk, for the God Havyavaahana (Agni) himself assisted king Neela in that fight. Then the chariots, heroes, elephants, and the soldiers in their coats of armour of Sahadeva’s army all appeared to be on fire. Looking this the prince of the Kuru race (Sahadeva) became exceedingly anxious. O Janamejaya, at sight of this the hero (Sahadeva) could not resolve upon what he should do.

“Janamejaya said, ‘O Dwija (Vaishampaayana), why was it that the God Havyavaahana (Agni) become hostile in battle to Sahadeva, who was fighting simply for the accomplishment of a yagna (and therefore, for the gratification of Agni himself)?’