Sahadeva's Southern Military Campaign and Conquests
Sahadeva embarks on a southern military campaign to gather tribute for his brother's Rajasuya sacrifice, conquering kingdom after kingdom. At Mahishmati, he faces not just a king, but the god Agni himself, who is bound by an ancient promise to protect the city. Sahadeva must use devotion, not force, to pass the test.
After worshipping his eldest brother, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, Sahadeva left for the south with a large army. His mission was to subjugate kingdoms and secure tribute for the great Rajasuya sacrifice.
He conquered the Shurasenas, then subjugated the king of Matsya. In a great battle, he defeated the emperor Dantavakra, forced him to pay tribute, and restored his throne to him. He vanquished Sukumara and King Sumitra, conquered other Matsyas and the Patachcharas. He swiftly took the country of the nishadas and the mountain Goshringa, then defeated King Shrenimana. After conquering a new country, he marched against Kuntibhoja, who happily accepted his suzerainty.
On the banks of the Charmanvati river, he encountered the son of King Jambaka—a Bhoja king who had earlier been defeated by Vasudeva Krishna. Sahadeva engaged him in battle, defeated him, and marched further south.
He extracted tribute and riches, then advanced towards the Narmada. The powerful son of the Ashvins defeated in battle the brothers Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, who were surrounded by large armies. Taking their wealth, he advanced to the city of Mahishmati.
There, the bull among men engaged in battle with King Nila. The great battle was terrifying, destroying armies and threatening life itself. Then something supernatural happened: the illustrious god of fire, Agni, provided succour to Sahadeva's enemy. Horses, chariots, elephants, soldiers, and armor from Sahadeva's army were seen blazing with flames. The Pandava's mind was bewildered. He was incapable of mounting a fitting reply.
Sahadeva saw his soldiers engulfed in fear, trembling like a mountain as fire surrounded them. He touched water to purify himself and then spoke to Pavaka (Agni).
"O Pavaka! O one with the black trails! I worship you, and it is for your sake that I have undertaken this task. You are the mouth of the gods. You are the sacrifice. You purify and you are the purifier. You are the bearer of sacrificial offerings. It is from you that the Vedas have come into being, and thus you are known as Jataveda. O bearer of sacrificial offerings! Please do not cause an obstruction to this sacrifice."
Having uttered these words, Madri's son spread kusha grass on the ground. In accordance with prescribed rituals, that tiger among men sat down before the advancing fire, placing himself between the flames and all his frightened troops.
Like the great ocean that does not cross the shoreline, the fire did not cross him.
The fire approached Sahadeva and spoke in affectionate words. "O descendant of the Kuru lineage! Arise. I acted thus only to test you. I know all your intentions and those of Dharma's son. O supreme among the Bharata lineage! However, I am bound to protect this city, as long as there are heirs to carry forward King Nila's lineage. O Pandava! I will accomplish what you desire in your heart."
Sahadeva arose with a happy heart. Bowing his head and joining his hands in salutation, the bull among men worshipped Pavaka. When the fire-god retreated, King Nila arrived, welcomed Sahadeva, accepted his homage, and made himself a tributary.
Victorious, Sahadeva advanced further south. He vanquished the immensely energetic Traipuras and conquered the lord of Potana. With great effort, he subjugated Ahriti, king of Surashtra, whose preceptor was Koushika. While in Surashtra, he sent an ambassador to the great King Rukmin Bhishmaka of Bhojakata—a man devoted to dharma and a friend of Indra himself. For the sake of Vasudeva Krishna, the king and his sons happily accepted suzerainty.
Taking a great deal of riches, Sahadeva went to Shurparaka and the region named Upakrita, ruled by a clan. The immensely energetic one conquered them and the region of Dandaka. He brought under his sway the kings born from mleccha wombs who lived on ocean islands, the man-eating nishadas, the Karnapravaranas, the Kalamukhas (a cross between men and rakshasas), all of the Kolla mountains, Murachipattana, the island of Tamra, Mount Ramaka, and King Timingila.
He used messengers to subjugate and obtain tribute from forest-dwelling men who had only one leg, and from the cities of Samjayanti, Picchanda, and Karahataka. Likewise, he subjugated through envoys the Pandyas, the Dravidas, the Chodras, the Keralas, the Andhras, the Talavanas, the Kalingas, the Ushtrakarnikas, the Antakhis, the Romas, and even a city of the Greeks.
Finally, Madri's intelligent son went to Bharukaccha. From there, he sent envoys to the great-souled Poulastya Vibhishana, the brother of Ravana who ruled Lanka. The conqueror of enemies used conciliation, and Vibhishana, knowing this to be determined by destiny, happily accepted suzerainty. He sent many kinds of riches—sandalwood and aloe, divine ornaments, expensive garments, and priceless jewels.
The powerful and intelligent Sahadeva then returned. Having subjugated the south through conciliation and conquest, and having made the kings pay tribute, the conqueror of enemies handed all the wealth over to Dharmaraja Yudhishthira. His task for the Rajasuya was complete.