Vaishampayana said O king, having been sent away with affection by Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira), with a very large army Sahadeva, was marched towards the south.

That powerful descendant of Kuru, the lord (Sahadeva), strong in his own strength, vanquished the Shurasenas at the very outset. He then subjugated the king of Matsya.

Having vanquished the powerful king of the Adhirajas, Dantavakra, and having made him pay tribute, the hero (Sahadeva) then replaced him on his throne.

He then subjugated Sukumara and the king Sumitra, and then the other Matsyas, and then the Patachharas.

The greatly intelligent (Sahadeva) then soon conquered the country of the Nishadas and also the best of hills, called Goshringa, and the king, called Shrenimana.

Having then conquered the country, named Nararashtra, he marched against Kuntibhoja. He (the king of Kuntibhoja) very willingly accepted the sway (of the Pandavas).

Then on the banks of the Charmanvati, he met the son of the king Jambhaka who had been formerly defeated by Vasudeva for some old hostilities.

O descendant of Bharata, he fought a battle with Sahadeva, but he (Sahadeva) defeated him and then marched towards the south.

The greatly powerful hero then subjugated the Sekas and the other Sekas, and exacted tribute from them in the shape of various gems and jewels.

With them all, he then went to wards the country watered by the Narmada. The mighty son of Ashvinis (Sahadeva) then vanquished in a battle the two heroic kings of Avanti, named Vinda and Anuvinda who were surrounded by a large number of soldiers. Having exacted much wealth from them, he went towards the city of Bhojakata.

O king, O Achyuta (unfolding glory), a great battle was fought there for two days. But the son of Madri, Sahadeva, defeated the invincible Bhishmaka.

He then defeated in battle the king of Kosala, the king of Venatatha, the Kantarakas, and the kings of the eastern Kosalas.

Having then defeated in battle the Natakeyas and the Herambakas, and having subjugated the Marudhas, he conquered Munjagrama by force. He then vanquished the kings of the Nachinas, the Arbukas and the various other forest kings who ruled in that part of the country. The greatly powerful son of Pandu then subjugated the king Vatadhipa.

Having defeated in battle the Pulindas, he marched towards the south. The younger brother of Nakula (Sahadeva) then fought for a day with the king of Pandya.

Having vanquished him, the mighty armed (hero) went (further) towards the south. He then came to the world-renowned caves of Kishkindhya.

Here fought he for seven days with the monkey kings, named Mainda and Dvivida. They too, however, did not at all feel fatigued (in the fight).

Those two illustrious monkey-kings (were much) pleased with Sahadeva, and they thus joyfully spoke to him these affectionate words.

"O best of the Pandavas, go (back) on receiving wealth from us. Let the work of the intelligent Dharmaraja be accomplished without any hindrance."

Thereupon, having received wealth that best of men, (Sahadeva), marched towards the city of Mahishmati. He fought there a battle with king Nila.

The battle between the chastiser of foes, the powerful Pandava, Sahadeva, and the king (Nila) was very fearful.

It destroyed many soldiers, and it endangered the life (of the hero Sahadeva), for the lord, the carrier of sacrificial libation (fire), was helping him (the king Nila).

The cars, horses, elephants, and the wellarmoured of Sahadeva's army all appeared as if they were on fire.

Seeing this, that descendant of Kuru was filled with great anxiety. O Janamejaya, seeing this, the hero could not resolve upon what he should do. inen was

Janamejaya said O exalted one, O Brahmana, why was it that the deity Agni became hostile in battle to Sahadeva who fighting for the accomplishment of a sacrifice?

Vaishampayana said It is heard that Agni, living in the city of Mahishmati, was formerly taken for an adulterer.

The daughter of the king Nila was exceedingly handsome. She always used to stay near her father's Agnihotra (sacred fire) to stir it up.

Being fanned as much as was possible, the fire did not blaze up, till it was not blown by the breaths of the sweet lips of that girl

It was said in the king Nila's palace and in the houses of all (men) that the illustrious Agni wanted to marry that beautiful maiden; and he was (in fact) accepted by her.

One day when he (Agni), assuming the form of a Brahmana, was enjoying at pleasure in the company of that handsome girl, he was discovered by the king. The virtuous monarch then ordered the Brahmana to be punished according to law.

Thereupon the illustrious carrier of sacrificial libations (Agni) blazed up in wrath. Seeing this, the king was filled with astonishment, and he bent his head to the ground.

After sometime, bending his head low, the king bestowed his that daughter on Agni who was in the disguise of a Brahmana.

The illustrious Vibhavasu (Agni) accepted that fire-browed daughter of the king Nila, and he bestowed on the king his favours.

The illustrious gratifier of all purposes (Agni) also asked the king to solicit a boon from him. The king asked the boon by which he with the troops while engaged in battle might never be struck with panic.

O king, from that day he, who out of ignorance of this, desires to subjugate the city of the king (Nila), is consumed by fire.

O perpetuator of the Kuru race, from that day the girls of the city of Mahishmati became rather unacceptable to others (as wives). Agni by his boon granted them sexual liberty. The women of that city, being not confined to a particular husband, always roamed as Sairini at will.

O best of the Bharata race, O great king, from that day all the kings avoid this city for the fear of fire.

O king, the virtuous-minded Sahadeva also, seeing his troops afflicted with fear and encircled with flames, stood motionless as a mountain. Touching water and purifying himself, he thus spoke to Pavaka (fire).

Sahadeva said O Pavaka, O Krishnavartman, (having) smoke for marking your track, I bow to you. You are the mouth of the celestials; you are the sacrifice itself.

You are called Pavaka, because you sanctify every thing; thing; you are called Havyavahana, because you carry the sacrificial libation of Ghee. The Vedas have all sprung from you, and therefore, you are called Jatavedas.

You are Suresha (chief of the celestials), you Chitrabhanu, Anala, Svargadvarsparshi, Vibhavasu, Hutasha, Jvalana, Shikhi.

Vaishvanara, Pingesha, Plavanga and Bhuritejas. You are the origin of Kumara (Kartikeya). O exalted one, you are called Rudragarbha and Hiranyakrit.

O Agni, let yourself grant me energy and let Vayu grant me life. Let earth grant me nourishment and strength, and let water grant me prosperity.

O the first cause of waters, O great purity, O the origin of the Vedas, Othe chief of the are celestials, O the mouth of the celestials, purify me by your truly.

The Rishis, the Brahmanas, the celestials and the Asuras every day pour Ghee in the sacrifice according to the ordinance. Let the rays of truth emanate from you as you exhibit yourself in sacrifices. Purify me,

O smoke-bannered deity, O possessor of flames, O deity born of Vayu, O god who is present in all creatures. Purify me by your rays of truth.

O exalted one having cheerfully cleansed myself, I do pray to you, O Agni, grant me now contentment and prosperity, knowledge and gladness.

Vaishampayana said He, who will pour Ghee into Agni reciting these Mantras, will be ever blessed with prosperity. Having his souls under his complete control, he will be cleansed of all his sins.

Sahadeva said O carrier of sacrificial libation (Agni), you should not put obstacle to a sacrifice. Having said this, the son of Madri (Sahadeva) spread some Kusha grass of the ground.

O descendant of Bharata, that best of men in expectation of the approaching fire then sat himself down in front of his terrified and anxious troops.

Like the ocean that never pass beyond its shore, Agni did not pass over his (Sahadeva). Agni quietly came to him, and he thus spoke to that descendant of the Kuru.

Sahadeva, that god among men, these words of assurance, "O descendant of Kuru rise up, rise up. I was only trying you.

I know all your purposes as well as those of the son of Dharma (Yudhishthira). O best of the Bharata race, this city will be protected by me.

So long as there will be a scion in the King Nila's dynasty. O son of Pandu, I shall, however, accomplish the desire of your heart.”

O best of the Bharata race, the son of Madri rose up with a cheerful heart and bowing down his head with joined hands, he worshipped Pavaka (Agni).

On the disappearance of Pavaka king Nila came there, and at the command of that deity (Agni), the king worshipped with due rites that best of men and that master in war, Sahadeva, He accepted his worship and made him pay tribute.

Thereupon the victorious son of Madri went further towards the south. Having subjugated the immeasurably effulgent Tripura.

The mighty armed (hero) soon vanquished and subjugated the Paurava King; and he then with great deal of effort subjugated the preceptor of Kaushika, Akriti.

The mighty armed (hero) then subjugated the king of Shurashtra. He sent an ambassador to king Rukmin of Bhishmaka in the territories of Bhojakata, who, rich in wealth and intelligence, was the friend of Indra.

O great king, remembering his friendship with Vasudeva (Krishna), that king with his son cheerfully accepted their (the Pandavas) sway.

Taking many jewels and much wealth from him (Rukmin), that master of war (Sahadeva) then subjugated Shuparaka and Talakata.

The greatly powerful (hero) then brought under his sway the exceedingly energetic Dandaka. Then he subjugated many kings born of the Mleccha race and living in the island in the sea;

Then the Nishadas, the cannibals, the Karnapravanas, those tribes called Kalamukhas who were a cross race between the men and Rakshasas,

The whole of the Cole mountains, also Shurabhipattna, the island called Copper Island and the mountain called Ramaka.

Having brought under subjection, king Timingila, the illustrious warrior subjugated a wild tribe, named the Keralas who were men with one leg.

The son of Pandu also subjugated the city of Sanjayanti and the country of the Pakhandas and Karahatakas by means of his messengers alone; and he made them all pay tribute to him.

The hero also subjugated and exacted tribute from the Pandyas, the Dravidas the Udrakeralas, the Andhras, the Talavanas the Kalinga, and the Ushtrakarnikas.

He brought under his away the charming city of Atavi and also the city of the Yavanas by sending messengers and by exacting tribute.

O king of kings, that slayer of foes, the virtuous and intelligent son of Madri (Sahadeva), having (at last) arrived at the sea coast, sent ambassadors to the illustrious Vibhishana, the grandson of Pulastya. He also cheerfully accept his sway.

He (Vibhishana) sent to him (Sahadeva) various kinds of jewels and gems, sandal and aloe-woods, many celestials ornaments.

Many costly apparels and many valuable pearls. Thereupon the intelligent Sahadeva returned to his kingdom.

Having vanquished by war and by, conciliation many kings and having also made them pay tribute to him, that chastiser of foes returned (to his own city).

O king, O Janamejaya, the best of the Bharata race (Sahadeva) presented all, that wealth to Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) and regarded himself crowned with success, and he became very happy.