Bhima's Military Campaign to the East and South
Bhima marches east with an army meant to oppress enemy kingdoms. He wins over allies, defeats kings in battle, and appoints a formidable warrior as his own general after a spectacular duel. His campaign sweeps through the east and south, bringing every kingdom under his control.
Bhimasena took his leave from his elder brother, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, and turned his army towards the east. He did not march for exploration or parley. His force was a great circle of power, assembled with a single purpose: to oppress enemy kingdoms and increase their sorrow.
His first stop was the city of Panchala, the homeland of his wife Draupadi and his brothers’ wife as well. Here, he used the methods of conciliation — diplomacy, persuasion, alliance — and won the Panchalas over without a fight. Then the real campaign began. The valorous bull among men moved north, defeating the Gandakis and the Videhas in battle. These were not mere skirmishes; they were conquests that added territory and tribute to the Pandava treasury.
His journey brought him to the land of Dasharna. There, King Sudharma performed a feat that made the hair on every witness’s arms stand on end. He challenged Bhima to a duel — a great fight without any weapons. It was a contest of raw strength, wrestling, and endurance between two bulls among men. Bhima, the strongest of the Pandavas, renowned for his physical power, found in Sudharma a match that demanded his full might. The duel was fierce and prolonged.
When it was over, Bhimasena did something unexpected. Instead of punishing or subjugating the king he had just fought, he made the immensely strong Sudharma the supreme general of his own army. He recognized valor and rewarded it, binding a potential enemy to his cause with honor.
With Sudharma now at his side, Bhima’s terrible army seemed to make the very earth tremble as it marched further east. He met Rochamana, the lord of Ashvamedha, and his younger brother in battle and defeated them. The immensely valorous Kounteya then conquered the entire eastern region. He did not need to exert terrible, annihilating force; his reputation and power were enough to bring kings to heel.
His mission from Yudhishthira was not yet complete. He turned his army south, towards the great city of the Pulindas. There, he conquered the lords Sukumara and Sumitra. Every kingdom he touched was now under Pandava sway, its wealth and warriors pledged to Yudhishthira’s coming Rajasuya sacrifice.
With the east and south secured, a final command came from Dharmaraja. Bhima, the bull of the Bharata lineage, now advanced towards the kingdom of the immensely brave and notoriously volatile Shishupala, king of Chedi.