When the auspicious day arrived, Bhishma himself arranged the wedding for the great Pandu. With all the proper rites and sacred rituals, King Pandu took Madri’s hand in marriage. Once the wedding was complete, the Kuru king established his radiant new wife in a beautiful residence, ensuring her comfort and happiness. Pandu, noble and powerful, lived joyfully with both his wives, Kunti and Madri, delighting in their company as his heart desired. After three nights of happiness, the king’s mind turned toward duty and ambition. Desiring to conquer the earth and expand the glory of the Kurus, Pandu prepared to depart from the city. Before leaving, he paid his respects to the elders, bowing to Bhishma, Dhritarashtra, and the other distinguished Kurus. With their blessings and approval, he took his leave. Auspicious rites were performed for his success, and he was congratulated with heartfelt good wishes. Then, with a great and splendid army—elephants, horses, and chariots—he set out on his campaign. Pandu, radiant like a child of the gods, marched forth with joyful and strong troops, eager to face many enemies. He first led his forces to the land of Dasharna, where, like a lion among men, he defeated the opposing warriors in battle. Gathering his army, adorned with colorful banners and filled with elephants, horses, foot soldiers, and chariots, Pandu pressed onward. In Rajagriha, the proud protector of Magadha was slain in battle, and Pandu claimed victory. Taking the treasury and numerous vehicles, he continued to Mithila, where he conquered the Videhas. His conquests did not stop there—by the might of his own arms, he brought glory to the Kurus in Kashi, Suhma, and Pundra as well. Wherever he went, the kings beheld Pandu blazing amidst his warriors like a living mass of arrows and weapons, a true foe to his enemies. Many rulers, unable to withstand his power, retreated before him. Those whose armies were shattered by Pandu’s strength were brought under his control and employed in service to the Kuru cause. Thus, Pandu subdued all the rulers of the earth. They looked upon him as the sole hero, just as the gods honor Indra among themselves. All the lords of the earth approached with joined palms, bowing low, bringing precious gifts—gems, pearls, coral, gold, silver, herds of cows and horses, chariots, elephants, camels, buffaloes, and every kind of livestock. They offered treasures of lotus-fiber, fine blankets from Ranka, and countless other riches, all of which Pandu, lord of Nagapura, accepted. With these great spoils, Pandu set out again, traveling with splendid vehicles, intent on bringing joy to his own realms and the city called Gajasahvaya. Through his conquests, Pandu restored the fame that had once belonged to Shantanu, the lion among kings, and the wise Bharata. Those who had previously seized Kuru lands and wealth were now made tributaries, acknowledging Pandu’s supremacy. The assembled kings, ministers, citizens, and countryfolk, their hearts filled with confidence and joy, spoke of his glory. Led by Bhishma, they went out to meet Pandu as he returned, traveling a great distance from Nagapura to welcome him home. They beheld the land overflowing with riches brought in countless vehicles—jewels of every kind, treasures of elephants, horses, chariots, cows, camels, and sheep. The Kauravas, together with Bhishma, could find no end to the wealth Pandu had amassed. Pandu, increasing the joy of his mother Kausalya, bowed to his father’s feet and honored the citizens and countryfolk as was fitting. Having subdued enemy kingdoms and fulfilled his purpose, Bhishma embraced his son, shedding tears of joy at Pandu’s success. Amidst the mighty sounds of trumpets, conches, and drums, delighting all the people, Pandu entered Hastinapura in triumph. With Dhritarashtra’s permission, Pandu brought all the wealth he had won by his own strength and offered it to Bhishma, Satyavati, and his mother Kausalya. He also sent a share to Vidura, and generously rewarded his friends. Satyavati, Bhishma, and the illustrious Kausalya were all gratified with the fine treasures Pandu had won. His mother, overjoyed, embraced her son of incomparable energy, as Shachi once embraced victorious Indra. Thanks to Pandu’s mighty conquests and abundant gifts, Dhritarashtra performed hundreds of grand horse sacrifices. Yet, Pandu himself, joined by Kunti and Madri, chose to dwell in the forest, ever tireless and devoted to the hunt. He left behind palace comforts and luxurious beds, finding his home in the wilderness. Roaming the southern slopes of the beautiful Himalayas, he lived among mountain ridges and great sal forests. There, Pandu shone with Kunti and Madri by his side, like glorious Indra among two she-elephants. The forest-dwellers who saw the king, armed with sword, bow, and arrows, clad in splendid armor and skilled in supreme weapons, living in the wild with his wives, thought, “This must be a god.” Even in the forest, at Dhritarashtra’s command, diligent men brought Pandu all he desired and needed, ensuring his comfort at the forest’s edge. One day, as Pandu journeyed deeper into a great forest teeming with wild beasts and predators, he came upon the leader of a herd of deer, who was engaged in mating.