Anusalva attacks

Janmajeya asked the sage - What is this trouble? The sage said -
The sacrifice was about to start when the daitya Anusalva came to Hastinapura, looking for Krishna. He came with a huge army. He wanted to kill Krishna, who had killed his brother Salva.
Barring Yudhistira, the other brothers started a fight with Anusalva.
The daitya attacked and wounded Bhima and Sahadeva. The two fled. Seeing this, Arjuna attacked. The daitya broke all arrows of Arjuna and then shot arrows wounding Arjuna.
The Pandavas were in a fix. Somehow saving their lives they went to Krishna and asked him what to do.
Krishna smiled and holding a betel leaf in his hand and said Whoever can capture the daitya will get this from me.
Krishna's son, Pradyumna, said he will do that.
Pradyumna went and attacked Asusalva but had to flee. Krishna got angry and rebuked his son for having to flee from battle.
Krishna then went to attack and was wounded and he too had to flee.
Yudhistira heard this and was dumb struck. How could this happen? Yudhistira asked Vyasa why this happened. Vyasa said the sage Garga had cursed Krishna that he would have to suffer defeat and this is the result of the curse.
Vrishaketu decided to go and fight. Vrishaketu fought valiantly. Taking the name of Narayana, the brave warrior shot arrows at the daity and Anusalva fainted. Vrishaketu captured the daity and brought him as a prisoner to Yudhistira. Everyone praised the son of Karna.
Anusalva, regaining consciousness, saw himself in front of the Pandavas. Krishna blessed the daitya and he saw the Great Lord in front of him.
The daitya fell at Krishna's feet and begged for forgiveness. Yudhistira forgave the daity and asked him to return back. The daitya refused saying if he stayed back, he would get to see Krishna.
Yudhistira said If that was the case then Anusalva was to go with Arjuna and guard the sacrificial horse.
This pleased the daitya. he told his army to be ready to guard the horse.

Fight with Yuvanashwa

The moment the horse was grabbed, the magic vanished and sun was seen again. The soldiers realized that the prize horse was missing.
The soldiers came to fight and Meghavarna attacked them by hurling mountains. Some soldiers died. Some managed to run and inform the king.

Angry Yuvanashwa came to fight, along with his army.
Karna's son came to fight the king. A terrible fight started and Yuvanashwa was amazed to see the skill of Vrishketu. He asked him who he was.
Vrishketu said he was son of Karna who had come to take the horse for Yudhistira.

Hearing this, Yuvashawa hurled arrows at Vrishketu. Subeg, son of Yuvanashwa attacked. Bhima started fighting with his mace killing the horses and elephants. Seeing this, Subeg attacked Bhima. Bhima struck Subeg with his mace and Subeg fell senseless.

Vrishaketu then attacked Yuvanashwa. Wounded Yuvanashwa fell on the ground. Vrishaketu then started praying to Vishnu to revive Yuvanashwa.

When Yuvanashwa came to his senses, he fell at Vrishaketu's feet. He said Having prayed for my life, you are like a father to me now and I cannot fight you anymore. I take refuge with the Pandavas.

He then called his son and asked him to stop the fight. He then said to Bhima My land is blessed to have you here. Please come to me and be my guest. I will come with you and gift the horse to Yudhistira.

Bhima, Vrishaketu and Meghavarna see the horse they need

Krishna came to meet Yudhistira. Yudhistira told Krishna about the meeting with Vyasa and about the horse sacrifice.

Krishna asked the king not to worry. He said I know your sacrifice will be fruitful. Bhima will get the horse for you.

Hearing this, Yudhistira asked Bhima to proceed.

Bhima along with Vrishaketu and Meghavarna started for their journey to fetch the horse. From a distance they saw the magnificent kingdom of Yuvanashwa. They wondered how to enter the place. The fortress had tall walls which were heavily guarded.

Vrishaketu said If we cannot enter then we will wait for the horse to come out. When it comes, we will capture it.

They began waiting of a hill nearby. When the horses came out for a drink in the stream, Bhima was ready with his team. They saw a horse which matched the description of the horse that was needed.

Meghavarna said he will go and get the horse.

Meghavarna took Bhima's blessing and jumped into the sky. He covered the sun and it suddenly became dark. The horses did not know where to go.
The kings guards reported to the king about this.
Meghavarna, in the mean while, picked up the horse he needed and took that off with him to the hill.