The Mahabharata/Book 2: Sabha Parva/Section XXVI

SECTION XXVI

(Digvijaya Parva continued)

Janamejaya said, "O Brahraana, narrate to me in full the history of the conquest of all the points of the horizon. I am never satiated with listening to the great history of my ancestors." Vaisampayana said, "This earth was subjugated by the sons of Pritha at the same time. I shall, therefore, tell thee of the campaign of Dhananjaya first.

"At the outest, the long-armed Dhananjaya brought under yoke the kings of the country of the Kulindas, by his courageous feats. Having brought the Kulindas, the Anarttas, and the Kalakutas under his sway, Arjuna subjugated (king) Sumandala with his troops. Then, O king, that chastiser of all foes, capable of fighting with equal skill with both hands, assisted by (king) Sumandala, conquered the island called Sakala, as also king Pritivindhya. There were many kings in the island of Sakala. which was one of the seven islands of the earth. The encounters that took place between them at the head of their troops and Arjuna were fierce. But O bull of the Bharata race, even those great bowmen were all vanquished by Arjuna. And uniting himself with all of them, he then attacked the kingdom of Pragyotisha. There, O king, was a great monarch called Bhagadatta, with whom the encounter that the illustrious Pandava had was fierce. And the king of Pragyotisha was supported by a host of Kiratas and Chins and numerous other warriors that dwelt on the sea-coast- King Bhagadatta, having fought with Dhananjaya for eight days continuously, and finding him still untired in battle, similingly said, 'O thou of long arms, O son of the Kuru race, this energy (that thou hast exhibited) is, indeed, well-suited to thee who art the son of chastiser of Paka, a great hero and a jewel among warriors, I am the friend of Indra, scarcely inferior to him in battle. But, O child, I cannot stay before thee in fight. O son of Pandu, tell me what I am to do and which thou desirest, O son, O thou of long arms, I shall accomplish whatever thou wilt say.' Thus addressed, Arjuna replied, 'That bull amongst the Kurus, king Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, is conversant with the rules of morality, devoted to truth, and a performer of sacrifices in which the gifts (to Brahmanas) are great. I desire to see him acquire the imperial dignity ; let tribute be paid by thee unto him. Thou art my father's friend, and gratified thou hast also been by me, I cannot command thee. Let the tribute, therefore, be paid by thee joyously at thy will !'

"Bhagadatta, hearing this, said, 'O thou who hast Kunti for thy mother, as thou art to me, so is Yudhishthira also, I shall do all this. Tell me, what else I may do for thee."

Thus endeth the twenty-sixth section in the Digvijaya Parva of the Sabha Parva.