Bhima conquers kingdoms from Koshala to the Himalayas
Bhima sets out to secure the northern and eastern frontiers for his brother's imperial consecration. He moves from kingdom to kingdom, defeating proud rulers like the lord of Koshala and the king of Kashi, and using conciliation to win over others like the sage-king Janaka of Videha.
The campaign was systematic. Bhima, the second Pandava, moved with the force of a landslide, his objective clear: to bring every king and territory from the central plains to the Himalayan foothills under the sway of his brother Yudhishthira.
He began by vanquishing Kumara Shrenimana and Brihadbala, the lord of Koshala. In the ancient city of Ayodhya, he defeated the righteous and powerful Dirghaprajna without needing to resort to extreme violence. The land of Gopalakaccha, the northern Sottamas, and the lord of the Mallas submitted to him. As he moved along the slopes of the Himalayas, he encountered Jaradgava and brought that entire country under his power in a short time.
The bull among men conquered Unnata and the mountains of Kukshimanta. His reputation for terrible deeds preceding him, he then fought and defeated Subandhu, the king of Kashi, a warrior known for never retreating from battle. Next, the mighty-armed Bhima used his power to conquer Kratha, the lord of kings in the region of Suparshva.
His march continued, absorbing the energetic Matsyas, the strong Malayas, the invincible Gayas, and all the forested lands teeming with animals. He repulsed the kings Mardavika and Mahidhara. Turning his strength northward, he conquered the foothills and defeated the land of the Vatsas, the lord of the Bhargas, the lord of the Nishadas, and many other landowners led by Manimana. The southern Mallas and Bhogavanta fell to him without requiring terrible effort.
Not every victory required the clash of arms. The tiger among men used conciliation — gifts, diplomacy, respect — to win over the Sharmakas, the Varmakas, and, most notably, King Janaka of Videha, the wise and venerable lord of the earth. Spending time in Videha, the Kounteya Pandava then defeated the seven lords of the kiratas (forest tribes) in the region around Mount Indra. One by one, the map of the north and east was redrawn in the name of the Pandavas.