supported by a mighty host, the mighty son of the twin gods exacted much wealth from them.  After this the hero marched towards the town of Bhojakata, and there, O king of unfading glory, a fierce encounter took place between him and the king of that city for two whole days.  But the son of Madri, vanquishing the invincible Bhismaka, then defeated in battle the king of Kosala and the ruler of the territories lying on the banks of the Venwa, as also the Kantarakas and the kings of the eastern Kosalas.  The hero then defeating both the Natakeyas and the Heramvaks in battle, and subjugating the country of Marudha, reduced Munjagrama by sheer strength.  And the son of Pandu then vanquished the mighty monarchs of the Nachinas and the Arvukas and the various forest king of that part of the country.  Endued with great strength the hero then reduced to subjection king Vatadhipa.  And defeating in battle the Pulindas, the hero then marched southward.  And the younger brother of Nakula then fought for one whole day with the king of Pandrya.  The long-armed hero having vanquished that monarch marched further to the south.  And then he beheld the celebrated caves of Kishkindhya and in that region fought for seven days with the monkey-kings Mainda and Dwivida.  Those illustrious kings however, without being tired an the encounter, were gratified with Sahadeva.  And joyfully addressing the Kuru prince, they said,—­’O tiger among the sons of Pandu, go hence, taking with the tribute from us all.  Let the mission of the king Yudhishthira the just possessed of great intelligence, be accomplished without hindrance.  And taking jewels and gems from them all, the hero marched towards the city of Mahishmati, and there that bull of men did battle with king Nila.  The battle that took place between king Nila and the mighty Sahadeva the son of Pandu, that slayer of hostile heroes, was fierce and terrible.  And the encounter was an exceedingly bloody one, and the life of the hero himself was exposed to great risk, for the god Agni himself assisted king Nila in that fight.  Then the cars, heroes, elephants, and the soldiers in their coats of mail of Sahadeva’s army all appeared to be on fire.  And beholding this the prince of the Kuru race became exceedingly anxious.  And, O Janamejaya, at sight of this the hero could not resolve upon what he should do.

Janamejaya said,—­O regenerate one, why was it that the god Agni become hostile in battle unto Sahadeva, who was fighting simply for the accomplishment of a sacrifice (and therefore, for the gratification of Agni himself)?

Vaisampayana said,—­’It is said, O Janamejaya, that the god Agni while residing in Mahishmati, earned the reputation of a lover.  King Nila had a daughter who was exceedingly beautiful.  She used always to stay near the sacred fire of her father, causing it to blaze up with vigour.  And it so happened that king Nila’s fire, even if fanned, would not blaze up till agitated by the gentle breath