Pandavas Travel to Subahu's Kingdom
After a month in Badari, the Pandavas set out for the land of King Subahu of the Kiratas, crossing the lands of the Chinas, Tukharas, Daradas, Darvans, and Kunindas — territories full of jewels. They cross the difficult Himalayan terrain and are welcomed by Subahu himself, who comes out to greet them.
The Pandavas had spent a happy month in Badari. Now it was time to move again.
They set out for the land of Subahu, the king of the Kiratas, following a route that other brave ones had traversed before them. The path took them through the lands of the Chinas, the Tukharas, the Daradas, the Darvans, and the Kunindas — territories full of many jewels. They crossed the difficult terrain of the Himalayan region, where the slopes were steep and the air thin.
At last they saw Subahu's city.
When King Subahu heard that all the sons and grandsons of kings had arrived — the Pandavas and their entire retinue — he was delighted. He came out of his city to welcome them. The bulls of the Kuru lineage greeted him in return.
The meeting was formal and complete. The Pandavas came with all their charioteers headed by Vishoka, with Indrasena, with the servants, with the cooks, and with their supervisors. They stayed there happily for one night.
Then they made a decision. They retained all the charioteers and the chariots, but they dismissed Ghatotkacha and his followers. The rakshasa (demon) son of Bhima had accompanied them through the mountains, but now his service was complete. He and his band returned to their own domain.
The Pandavas continued their journey — toward the mountain Yamuna, whose springs fed the rivers below, whose red and pale slopes were covered with a mantle of snow. They reached the sacrificial pole Vishakha and lived there. The great forest around them was like Chaitraratha, the garden of the god Kubera, and was infested with boars and many animals and birds. Those foremost among hunters — the Pandavas — safely spent another year in that forest. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 471