other hand approaching Sahadeva quietly and addressing that prince of the
Kuru race, Agni that god of men gave him every assurance and said,--'O
thou of the Kuru race, rise up from this posture. O rise up, I was only
trying thee. I know all thy purpose, as also those of the son of Dharma
(Yudhisthira). But, O best of the Bharata race, as long as there is a
descendant of king Nila's line, so long should this town be protected by
me. I will, however O son of Pandu, gratify the desires of thy heart.' And
at these words of Agni, O bull of the Bharata race, the son of Madri rose
up with a cheerful heart, and joining his hands and bending his head
worshipped that god of fire, sanctifier of all beings. And at last, after
Agni had disappeared, king Nila came there, and at the command of that
deity, worshipped with due rites Sahadeva, that tiger among men--that
master of battle. And Sahadeva accepted that worship and made him pay
tribute. And having brought king Nila under his sway thus, the victorious
son of Madri then went further towards the south. The long-armed hero then
brought the king of Tripura of immeasurable energy under his sway. And
next turning his forces against the Paurava kingdom, he vanquished and
reduced to subjection the monarch thereof. And the prince, after this,
with great efforts brought Akriti, the king of Saurashtra and preceptor of
the Kausikas under his sway. The virtuous prince, while staying in the
kingdom of Saurashtra sent an ambassador unto king Rukmin of Bhishmaka
within the territories of Bhojakata, who, rich in possessions and
intelligence, was the friend of Indra himself. And the monarch along with
his son, remembering their relationship with Krishna, cheerfully accepted,
O king, the sway of the son of Pandu. And the master of battle then,
having exacted jewels and wealth from king Rukmin, marched further to the
south. And, endued with great energy and great strength, the hero then
reduced to subjection, Surparaka and Talakata, and the Dandakas also. The
Kuru warrior then vanquished and brought under his subjection numberless
kings of the Mlechchha tribe living on the sea coast, and the Nishadas and