When Bhishma spoke with earnestness, the king of Madra responded with deep respect, saying, “There is no better choice than you; this is my firm conviction.” He continued, “Whatever traditions have been established by the noble ancestors of this lineage—whether good or otherwise—I cannot transgress them. This is well known to you, Bhishma; there is no doubt about it. And it is not fitting for you, O noble one, to speak otherwise. The tradition of the family, O hero, is our highest authority. Therefore, I say this to you with full certainty, O destroyer of foes.” Bhishma, lord of men, replied to the king of Madra, “This is the supreme dharma, O king, declared by the Self-born himself. There is no fault here; this rule was established by the ancestors. This boundary, O Shalya, is known to you and is approved by the virtuous.” Thus speaking, the mighty Bhishma bestowed upon Shalya thousands of golden vessels—both crafted and uncrafted—and many precious gems. Ganga’s son gave auspicious gifts: elephants, horses, chariots, fine garments, ornaments, and strings of jewels, pearls, and coral. Taking all this wealth, Shalya, his heart content, adorned his sister Madri and gave her in marriage to the bull among the Kauravas. Bhishma, the wise son of the river Ganga, took Madri and entered the city called Elephant-gate. When the auspicious day arrived, Bhishma arranged the wedding of the great Pandu. King Pandu took Madri’s hand in marriage according to the proper rites. After the wedding was completed, the Kuru king established his radiant wife in a beautiful residence. The noble king Pandu lived happily with his two wives, Kunti and Madri, as he wished and as pleased him. After three nights had passed, King Pandu, eager to conquer the earth, prepared to depart from the city. He honored and bowed to the elders, led by Bhishma, to Dhritarashtra, and to the other distinguished Kurus, taking their leave and departing with their approval. Blessed with auspicious rites and congratulated with good wishes, Pandu set out with a great force of elephants, horses, and chariots. That king, Pandu, who shone like a child of the gods, marched forth joyfully at the head of strong troops, eager to subdue many foes. First, he went to the country of Dasharna, and there, like a lion among men, Pandu brought glory to the Kurus by defeating them in battle. Then, assembling his army adorned with many banners and filled with elephants, horses, infantry, and chariots, he pressed on. Among the many kings, there was one, proud of his strength and the protector of Magadha, who was slain by Pandu in the great city of Rajagriha. Taking the treasury and many vehicles, Pandu then went to Mithila and conquered the Videhas in battle. Similarly, in Kashi, Suhma, and Pundra, O bull among men, he brought renown to the Kurus by the power of his own arms. Wherever the kings encountered Pandu, blazing like a mass of arrows and weapons, a foe of enemies, they withdrew before him. Their armies shattered by Pandu, those kings were brought under his control and set to work for the benefit of the Kurus. By his might, all the rulers of the earth were subdued; they regarded him as the sole hero, like Indra among the gods. All the lords of the earth came to him with joined palms, bowing low with their heads, and offered him various jewels. They brought gems, pearls, coral, great quantities of gold and silver, treasures of cows and horses, chariots, and elephants. They also brought camels, buffaloes, and other livestock, rare lotus-fiber treasures, blankets from Ranka, and many other valuable goods, all of which the king, lord of Nagapura, accepted. With all this wealth, Pandu departed again with his splendid vehicles, wishing to delight his own realms and the city called Gajasahvaya. The fame that had been lost by Shantanu, the lion among kings, and wise Bharata, was restored by Pandu’s deeds. Those who had once seized the Kuru realms and their wealth were now made tributary by Pandu, the lion of Nagapura. Thus, the assembled kings and ministers, their hearts confident and joyful, along with the citizens and countryfolk, spoke of his great achievements. All, led by Bhishma, went out to meet Pandu as he returned, and the residents of Nagapura, having traveled far, welcomed him home. They beheld the land filled with various riches, brought by many vehicles, and jewels of every kind, high and low. With treasures of elephants, horses, chariots, cows, camels, and sheep, the Kauravas, together with Bhishma, found no end to the wealth. Increasing the joy of Kausalya, Pandu bowed to his father’s feet and honored the citizens and countryfolk as was proper. Having subdued enemy kingdoms and accomplished his purpose, Bhishma returned, and embracing his son, shed tears of joy. With the mighty sounds of hundreds of trumpets, conches, and drums, delighting all the citizens, Pandu entered Hastinapura. Permitted by Dhritarashtra, Pandu brought the wealth he had won by his own strength and offered it to Bhishma, Satyavati, and his mother. He also sent wealth to Vidura and satisfied his friends with riches, ever righteous in his conduct.