Arjuna Conquers the Northern Kingdoms – Stories from Sabha Parva

Before the Rajasuya, the four younger Pandava brothers went in different directions to conquer the kingdoms and bring tribute to Indraprastha. Yudhistira stayed back and ruled the land. Arjuna went northwards, and his conquests were described in detail in Sabha Parva.

Arjuna set out with a large army after obtaining permission from his older brother and the blessings of the Brahmins. Armed with his inextinguishable quivers and Gandiva bow, he got into the chariot gifted by Agni Deva and rode ahead. 

His first stop was the Kulinda (Kuninda), Anarta, and Kalakuta kingdoms. He appointed Sumandala as the chief of the rear end of his army and continued toward Shakala and King Prativindhya, one of the seven Dvipas. Arjuna fought an intense battle with the kings of Shakala and defeated them all. 

From there, he proceeded to Pragjyotisha, ruled by Bhagadatta. They fought for eight days before Bhagadatta chose to make peace. He smiled and praised Arjuna for being a dominant warrior and offered him a gift. Arjuna informed him about the Rajasuya and asked for tribute. He also invited the king to attend the celebrations. Bhagadatta agreed to pay the tribute and said he was a good friend of Arjuna’s father (Indra) and was happy to do so. 

Arjuna then went to the mountains, which were protected by Kubera. He conquered kingdoms in the inner, outer, and upper mountain regions. Next, he went to Kuluta, ruled by Brihanta. The king faced the Pandava with a fourfold army. However, he realized he couldn’t face Arjuna and agreed to a truce. He paid the tribute and accepted the invitation to attend the Rajasuya yagna. 

Next, Arjuna defeated Senabindu, Modapura, Vamadeva, Sudamana, and Susamkula before reaching north Kuluta and conquering those kingdoms. He set up his army base in Divahprastha and fought King Vishvagashva Pourava. Defeating him, Arjuna tackled the even mountain-dwelling dacoit tribes known as Utsavasamketa. Then, he conquered Kashmir and Lohita kingdoms. From there, he went to defeat the Trigartas, the Darvas, the Kokanadas, the Abhisaris, and the Rochamanas, who lived in Urasha. He conquered the city of Simhapure, protected by Chitrayudhasura. 

Arjuna continued his conquests and added the Suhmas and the Cholas (not the southern Cholas) to the list. He even defeated Bahlika and moved to subdue the Daradas and the Kambojas. He also tackled the bandits living in the forests in the northeast before fighting the Lohas, the Kambojas, and the northern Rishikas. After the battle with the Rishikas, he got eight horses in the color of a parrot’s breast. 

Conquering the Himalayas and Nishkuta Mountains, he crossed the white mountains to the land of the Kimpurushas protected by Drumaputra. Another intense battle took place here. Arjuna then went to Hataka, protected by Guhyaka, where they signed a truce. Next, he went to Lake Manasa and visited the regions where rishis lived. From there, he conquered the lands of the gandharvas and got horses in the color of partridges and with speckles. 

Arjuna traveled to the northern part of Harivarsha. However, the giant guards at the entrance informed him that he could not enter the protected lands. Anyone who entered those cities would have to die. They said they were pleased with his conquests and wished him luck. The land of the north kurus cannot have wars, and even if Arjuna entered, he wouldn’t see anything inside. They added that if he wanted anything, he could ask them, and they would give it. He respectfully replied that he wouldn’t enter if it was forbidden for humans. However, he needed a little tribute to take back as a sign of the kingdom’s support for Yudhistira’s Rajasuya. The guards gave him divine garments, ornaments, etc. 

When he reached the end, Arjuna turned back towards Indraprastha with all the wealth and tributes he collected. 

Read about Bhima, Nakula, and Sahadeva’s conquests.