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1876.] 



at Delhi three thousand years ago. 



373 



accused of baseness for it, and no baseness could be predicated of a hero who 

 challenged another to a single combat. However that may have been it 

 enabled the Pandavas to liberate the imprisoned chieftains, and not only at 

 once to secure to themselves their loyal adherence, but also to obtain a great 

 accession of power and influence in different parts of India. 



Four grand military expeditions were next organised, one to proceed to 

 each quarter of India. Arjuna assumed the command of the army of the 

 North, and, proceeding on, successively conquered, or otherwise brought into 

 subjugation, the Kulindas, the Kalakutas,the Avarthas and the S'akala-dvipis. 

 Thence he proceeded to Pragjyotisha, where he had to wage a protracted war 

 against Bhagadatta, its king, who was ultimately obliged to purchase peace 

 by the payment of a handsome tribute. Ascending the Himalaya, he 

 encountered many petty chieftains, including those of Uluka, Modapura, 

 Vainadeva, Sudaman, Susankula, North Uluka, Devaprastha and other places' 

 —mostly robber chief s— as also the Kiratas and the Chinas. Turning then 

 towards the west, he pushed on his victorious army through Kashmir to 

 Balkh, burning and sacking several large towns in the way. Then turning 

 back, he passed through Kamboja, Darada, and Uttara-rishika from all which 

 places he obtained highly-prized horses as tribute, and arrived at the foot of 

 Dhavalagiri, where he rested for awhile. Then he crossed the Himalaya 

 and encountered the sovereigns of Kimpilla-varsha and Halaka, the last in 

 the neighbourhood of the Manasarovara Lake ; and lastly approached the 

 confines of Uttara-kuru, which was inhabited by Gandharvas, the fabled 

 choristers of Indra's heaven. Here he was met by ambassadors, who pur- 

 chased peace for their sovereign by a present of some rich stuffs, jewels, 

 valuable furs, and silken dresses. 



The second expedition was headed by Bhima, who proceeded to the 

 east, taking in the way the country of his father-in-law Drupada in the 

 Doab of the Ganges and Yamuna. Then crossing the Ganges he went 

 southwards to Dasarna, and, taking the Pulindas in the way, arrived at 

 Chedi, the country of Sisupala, who, being related to the Pandavas, readily 

 acknowledged subordination, and paid a handsome tribute. Bhima tarried 

 at this place for a month, and then marched on successively to Kosala, 

 Ayodhya, Uttara Kosala, Mulla, and the Terai, whence descending down he 

 conquered the king of Kasi. His next encounter was with the Matsyas, 

 then successively with the Maladas, Madadharas, the Batsabhumians, the 

 Bhangas, the Santakas and Barmakas, and several Kirata and other races, 

 which he conquered, and, making an alliance with the king of Mithila 

 (Videha), came down to Magadha to collect tribute, having on a former 

 occasion destroyed its valiant king Jarasandha. The son of Jarasandha 

 joined his army along with several minor chiefs, and with them he pro- 

 ceeded to the country of his half brother Kama, (Bhagalpur) who was 





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