Vaisampayana continued, "Then, O bull among the Bharatas, that mighty
bowman, Karna, surrounded by a large army, besieged the beautiful city
of Drupada. And he, after a hard conflict, brought the hero under
subjection, and, O best of monarchs, made Drupada contribute silver and
gold and gems, and also pay tribute. And, O foremost of kings, having
subdued him, (Karna) brought under subjection those princes that were
under him (Drupada) and made them pay tribute. Then going to the north,
he subdued the sovereigns (of that quarter) and having effected the
defeat of Bhagadatta, Radha's son ascended that mighty mountain Himavat,
all along fighting his foes. And ranging all sides, he conquered and
brought under subjection all the kings inhabiting the Himavat, and made
them pay dues. Then descending from the mountain and rushing to the
east, he reduced the Angas, and the Bangas, and the Kalingas, and the
Mandikas, and the Magadhas, the Karkakhandas; and also included with
them the Avasiras, Yodhyas, and the Ahikshatras. Having (thus) conquered
the eastern quarter Karna then presented himself before Batsa-bhumi. And
having taken Batsa-bhumi, he reduced Kevali, and Mrittikavati, and
Mohana and Patrana, and Tripura, and Kosala,--and compelled all these to
pay tribute. Then going to the south, Karna vanquished the mighty
charioteers (of that quarter) and in Dakshinatya, the Suta's son entered
into conflict with Rukmi. After having fought dreadfully, Rukmi spake to
the Suta's son saying, 'O foremost of monarchs, I have been pleased with
thy might and prowess. I shall not do thee wrong: I have only fulfilled
the vow of a Kshatriya. Gladly will I give thee as many gold coins as
thou desirest.' Having met with Rukmi, Karna repaired to Pandya and the
mountain, Sri. And by fighting, he made Karala, king Nila, Venudari's
son, and other best of kings living in the southern direction pay
tribute. Then going to Sisupala's son, the son of the Suta defeated him
and that highly powerful one also brought under his sway all the
neighbouring rulers. And, O bull of the Bharata race, having subjugated
the Avantis and concluded peace with them, and having met with the
Vrishnis, he conquered the west. And, having come to the quarter of
Varuna, he made all the Yavana and Varvara kings pay tribute. And,
having conquered the entire earth--east, west, north and south--that
hero without any aid brought under subjection all the nations of the
Mlechchhas, the mountaineers, the Bhadras, the Rohitakas, the Agneyas
and the Malavas. And, having conquered the mighty charioteers, headed by
the Nagnajitas, the Suta's son brought the _Sasakas_ and the _Yavanas_
under his sway. Having thus conquered and brought under his subjection
the world, the mighty charioteer and tiger among men came (back) to
Hastinapura. That lord of men, Dhritarashtra's son, accompanied by his
father and brothers and friends, came to that mighty bowman, who had
arrived, and duly paid homage unto Karna crowned with martial merit. And
the king proclaimed his feats, saying, 'What I have not received from
either Bhishma, or Drona, or Kripa, or Vahlika, I have received from
thee. May good betide thee! What need of speaking at length! Hear my
words, O Karna! In thee, O chief of men, I have my refuge. O
mighty-armed one, O tiger among men, without doubt all the Pandavas and
the other kings crowned with prosperity, come not to a sixteenth part of
thee. Do thou, O mighty bowman, O Karna, see Dhritarashtra, and the
illustrious Gandhari, as the bearer of the thunderbolt did Aditi.'
"Then, O king, there arose in the city of Hastinapura a clamour, and
sounds of _Oh!_ and _Alas!_ and, O lord of men, some of the kings
praised him (Karna), while others censured him, while others, again,
remained silent. Having thus, O foremost of monarchs, in a short time
conquered this earth furnished with mountains and forests and skies, and
with oceans, and fields, and filled with high and low tracts, and
cities, and replete also with islands, O lord of earth, and brought the
monarchs under subjection,--and having gained imperishable wealth, the
Suta's son appeared before the king. Then, O represser of foes, entering
into the interior of the palace that hero saw Dhritarashtra with
Gandhari, O tiger among men, that one conversant with morality took hold
of his feet even like a son. And Dhritarashtra embraced him
affectionately, and then dismissed him. Ever since that time, O monarch,
O Bharata, king Duryodhana and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, thought that
Pritha's sons had already been defeated in battle by Karna."