The Fateful Evening Part l

Part 153

Arjun started his conquest with Pulind,and defeated  him. The king submitted himself and offered many tributes. Then he conquered the group of islands and their kings . Then he proceeded to Pragjyotish, the most crucial kingdom ruled by Bhagadutta. Eight days the war continued. Bhagadutta 's army could not stand before the wielder of Gandiva. Arjun's army stood firm and fought with great zeal.Bhagadutta approached Arjun and admitted . Your father Indra is my dear friend. You are his son. What do you desire from me? I will do whatever you want.
Arjun replied with courtesy. If you pay tribute and accept Yudhishtir as Samrat then I will accept your friendship. Bhagadutta agreed and paid tribute. That was a great triumph.
Arjun then went to the hilly regions Antargiri ,Bahirgiri and Upagiri . He effortlessly conquered them and made them submit before Indraprasth. After that Phalgun defeated Brihanta, ruler of Uluka Kingdom, and kings of Vamadeva,Modapura Sudama and susankula . They offered many tributes to him.
Then he went to Deva prastha and attacked king Sena Bindu. That king was arrogant and defended himself with fury. Arjun made him run for his life by covering his chariot with showers of Arrows. Finally he was taken prisoner and released after he accepted the sovereinity of Indraprastha. Then Arjun defeated king of Barbara, Turushka and Sabara. They offered valuable gems and diamonds
. After that he conquered Paundra Kashmira Gandhara Kambhoja and Kosala.The tributes they gave made Arjun satisfied as the Rajasuya requires so much money to conduct it properly. Then Arjun attacked King Chitrayudha of Simhapura and defeated him. He got mighty elephants ,Great horses and  Valuble gems. Arjun then went to tribal areas and defeated all the tribal kings . They accepted defeat and paid  tributes .

Bheem,Nakul and Sahadev returned conquering the countries in their directions. But Arjun still to return. There is Exciting news about him like submission of Bhagadutta especially which is quite impossible to accomplish .
Panchali became fragile  as months passed and the Raajavaidyaa as usual felt hyper.
She told Kunti "if it continued like that again her delivery may cause worry like Kirti's time. "
Panchali occupied herself with matters of finance and palace management as she could not bear the thoughts of her Arjun moving far away in his conquests. Kirti became naughtier day by day and enjoyed being with Abhi. But unlike her other sons who adjusted so well with Priyamvada,Kirti would never leave his mother and will protest if he is taken away from her. As a result though her months are advancing Draupadi always has to take care of him with the help of  Malini. She started feeling the movements of the baby and felt immensely excited as she is going to fulfill Her Arjun's desire. How will he react on seeing his cute Pragati? She imagined that scene in different ways and impatiently waited for  the arrival of her Arjun and his Pragati...

Arjun crossed Swetaparvat and reached Kambhoja kataka. The king of that country desperately fought with Savyasachi but could not survive the onslaught of arrows from Gandiv. He admitted defeat and presented countless diamonds,gold and gems to the third Pandav. Then Arjun reached Himalayas where he visited Rushikulya and Manasa Sarovar.As he is a devotee of Sankarsiv he experienced the presence of Bholenath in that Devine lake. The kings of those mountain regions presented him colourful horses and great elephants. He then crossed Hemakut Parvat and reached the city of Gandharvas. The king of Gandharvas resisted Arjun with severe force but Gandiv thrummed with menace.
Then the king fell unconscious in his chariot and finally submitted himself. The gold and ornaments Arjun received from them made him wonder about their finesse in making and the lustre that is Devine.

After that Arjun reached Merugiri and Jambu Mahanadi. He then proceeded by that river in the southern direction and reached Gandhamadana Parvat. Arjun's nature love made him enjoy the beautiful meadows,valleys and lakes. He defeated Siddhas and Vidyadharas and accepted jewels,Gold and silver in huge quantities. Finally he reached the city Harivaas which was not reached by anyone before. The  Kings  are ferocious and strong. They were shocked to see the handsome warrior with the Gandiva bow and fought with him with the army force they have. Within a short while they surrendered and requested him.' O great Archer, we came across many warriors who tried to enter this region but had to return back unsuccessful. You had done the impossible. These  regions are called Uttara kuru Bhumi, These lands won't be visible to human beings. We respect your valour and offer you Devine ornaments and abundant gold. grace us with your friendship. " Arjun accepted it and returned back..."