The mighty son of Vayu laid the lifeless form of Jarāsandha at the very gate of the palace, that the long-oppressed might behold with their own eyes the proof of their deliverance and cast off the last remnant of fear. Thus did Bhīma act, even as once before when the ogre Bakāsura fell beneath his hands; for in times of terror, the people will trust only in the visible token of their tyrant’s fall. With the first light of dawn the rumour spread; men and women, hearts trembling between awe and joy, thronged to witness the spectacle of a fate that would shape their future. Though still uncertain of what the next move of distant enemies might be, their spirits were already lightened.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa spoke words of calm assurance to the folk of Magadha: never would the sons of Pāṇḍu be their foes, but their allies in righteousness. The captive kings, whom the dead despot had so long held in chains, were set free and their dignities restored. With gratitude they bowed before Kṛṣṇa, Bhīma, and Arjuna, and pledged their homage to the throne of Indraprastha. Jarāsandha’s own son Sahadeva was tenderly comforted, and hope for a noble future was placed in his heart. Then Kṛṣṇa proclaimed him king of Magadha and, fetching the ancient chariot of Jarāsandha, told the tale of its lineage: in ages past Indra himself had ridden this car when he smote the demon Tārakāsura, the son of the mighty Vājranga, who through fierce austerities had won strength to defy the gods. At last, Kumārasvāmi struck him down, and Indra bestowed the chariot on King Vasu, who gave it to Bṛhadratha, father of Jarāsandha.
Krsna mounted the car with Arjuna and Bhīma and summoned Garuḍa. The son of Vinatā came forth like a blazing flame and, at the Lord’s command, became the charioteer. Swifter than the storm, they sped to Indraprastha, where tidings of Jarāsandha’s end spread like the winds themselves. The people rejoiced that the name of the tyrant was blotted from the record of the earth, and that Dharmarāja now stood as an invincible sovereign whose sway reached to the four oceans. All lauded Bhīma, whose iron sinews had crushed a foe whom no weapon could harm, for Jarāsandha had been shielded by a boon against every mortal blade.
From every quarter the liberated kings came in homage to Dharmarāja, who received them with reverence and sent them back to their realms laden with honours. Then Śrī Kṛṣṇa, having sought the permission of Yudhiṣṭhira and his brothers, turned once more toward Dvārakā upon that divine chariot.
The great rite of the Rājasūya now moved forward. Yudhiṣṭhira dispatched his brothers to conquer the earth in the four directions: Bhīma to the east, Arjuna to the north, Nakula to the west, and Sahadeva to the south, each leading vast hosts that rolled forth like the swelling of the ocean.
So it was, said Vaiśampāyana, that their campaign of universal conquest went on without hindrance. “O sage,” asked King Janamejaya, “tell me how the wealth of all lands was gathered into the treasury of Indraprastha.”
Then the sage recounted: Arjuna, bearing the bow Gāṇḍīva and riding the chariot given him by the Fire-God, shone like the noonday sun as he marched northward. He overcame the King of the Pulindas and subdued Prativindhya; he conquered the lords of the islands and pressed on to Pragjyotiṣapura. There, Bhagadatta, aided by the warriors of the rivers and the Sabaras, resisted him fiercely for eight days. At last, spent of power, Bhagadatta spoke: “O son of Indra, it is not fitting that we should contend. I am vanquished—declare thy demand.” Arjuna answered, “The Lord of the Kuru line performs the Rājasūya. Pay him tribute and be present at the great sacrifice.” Bhagadatta poured forth treasures beyond measure and pledged his homage.
Arjuna’s fourfold army next brought low the kings of Antargiri, Bahirgiri and Upagiri, and exacted tribute from Ulūka ruled by Bruhantha, from Uttara-Ulūka of Vasudeva, from Senabindu of Devaprastha, and from the rulers of Niśvāgāśva, Parvateya, Barbara, Śabara and the Turushkas. He subdued the Malavas, the Paundras, and the kings of Kashmir, receiving from them gems, gold, fine cloth, horses, elephants and chariots, and bade them all attend the Rājasūya.
He conquered Simhapura and its king Citrāyudha; he mastered the wild Dasyu tribes and crossed the snowy mount Śveta, where King Kambojakataka welcomed him. He came to the holy lake Mānasā in the realm of Hāsa, visited the hermitages of ancient seers and received their blessings together with steeds of rare and wondrous hues—Tittiri, Kalmāṣa, and Māṇḍūka. Crossing the golden Hemakūṭa he subdued the Gandharva clans, then bowed before the sacred peak of Meru and reverently circled the Jambu tree of celestial origin. Beyond the heights of Gandhamādana, he overcame the Siddhas, Vidyādharas, and Cāraṇas, gathering rich tribute as he went.
Over the mountains, Malyavān and Nīla he passed to the far lands of Uttarakuru. There, the colossal gate-keeper, marvelling at the warrior who seemed another Indra, exclaimed, “Never in any age has mortal king or hero reached this realm. O scion of the Kurus, your triumphs delight me. These regions lie beyond the ken of common men; none may seize their wealth. Yet we will obey your command.” Arjuna said, “Dharmarāja prepares the Rājasūya. Bestow some token that shall bring his glory to light.”
Straightway the hidden monarchs of Uttarakuru appeared and offered gems and ornaments of inestimable worth, unknown upon the earth, and they blessed Arjuna that Yudhiṣṭhira’s fame might rise to yet greater heights.
Meanwhile, Bhīma journeyed eastward. Welcomed first by the king of the Pāñcālas, he conquered Janaka of Videha and fought Sudhanva of Daśārṇa, whose valour he honoured by making him commander of his forces. He subdued the Rucchamāna kings who had performed the Aśvamedha, then entered Cedi, where Śiśupāla received him with abundant tribute. Though devoted to Kṛṣṇa and the Pāṇḍavas, by Duryodhana’s guile, Śiśupāla would one day turn against them. Bhīma sojourned awhile at his host’s request and went on to overcome all the rulers of the eastern lands. His unmatched might and the irresistible power of his arms brought victory everywhere, and he gathered vast wealth for the sacrifice.
Thus, the grand enterprise of the Rājasūya advanced without pause, opening the flood-gates of events that were to reshape the order of society, the culture of men and the very code of conduct for ages to come.
