The Mahabharata, of, Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, BOOK 3, (Tirtha-yatra Parva), SECTION CXLII

Vaisampayana said, "O king, then those foremost of bowmen, of

immeasurable prowess, holding bows stringed at full stretch and equipped

with quivers and arrows and wearing finger-caps made of the guana-skin,

and with their swords on, proceeded with Panchali towards the

Gandhamadana, taking with them the best of Brahmanas. And on their way

they saw various lakes, and rivers and mountains and forests, and trees

of wide-spreading shade on mountain summits and places abounding in trees

bearing flowers and fruit in all seasons and frequented by celestials and

sages. And restraining their senses within their inner self and

subsisting on fruits and roots, the heroes passed through rugged regions,

craggy and difficult of passage, beholding many and various kinds of

beasts. Thus those high-souled ones entered the mountain inhabited by the

sages, the Siddhas and the celestials, and frequented by the Kinnaras and

the Apsaras. And, O lord of men, as those mighty heroes were entering the

mountain Gandhamandana, there arose a violent wind, attended with a heavy

shower. And owing to this, mighty clouds of dust bearing lots of dry

leaves, rose, and all on a sudden covered earth, air and firmament. And

when the heavens had been covered with dust nothing could be perceived,

neither could they (the Pandavas) speak to one another. And with eyes

enveloped with darkness and pushed by the wind carrying particles of

rocks they could not see one another. And there began to arrive mighty

sounds proceeding from the tree, and also from those breaking down

incessantly under the force of the wind, and falling to the ground. And

distracted by gusts of the wind, they thought, 'Are the heavens falling

down; or the earth and the mountains being rent?' And afraid of the wind,

they felt about with their hands and took shelter under the way-side tree

and ant-hills and in caverns. Then holding his bow and supporting Krishna

the mighty Bhimasena stood under a tree. And Yudhishthira the just with

Dhaumya crept into the deep wood. And Sahedeva carrying the sacred fire

with him took shelter in a rock. And Nakula together with Lomasa and

other Brahmanas of great asceticism stood in fright, each under a tree.

Then when the wind had abated and the dust subsided, there came down a

shower in torrents. There also arose a loud rattling noise, like unto the

thunder hurled; and quick-flashing lightning began to play gracefully

upon the clouds. And being helped on by the swift wind, showers of rain

poured down without intermissions, filling all sides round. And, O lord

of men, all around there began to flow many rivers covered with foam and

turbid with mud; and these bearing volumes of water spread over the

frothy rafts rushed down with tremendous roar uprooting trees. And

afterwards when that sound had ceased and the air had arisen they (each

of them) cautiously came out of their coverts and met together, O

descendant of Bharata. And then the heroes started for the mountain

Gandhamadana."

SECTION CXLIII

Vaisampayana said, "When the high-souled sons of Pandu had proceeded only

two miles, Draupadi unaccustomed to travel on foot, sank down. Weary and

afflicted as she was, the poor daughter of Panchala became faint, on

account of the hailstorm and also of her extreme delicacy. And trembling

with faintness, the black-eyed one supported herself on her thighs with

her plump arms, becoming (her graceful form). And thus resting for

support on her thighs resembling the trunk of an elephant, and which were

in contract with each other, she suddenly dropped upon the ground,

trembling like a plantain tree. And finding that the beautiful one was

falling down like a twisted creeper, Nakula ran forward and supported,

her. And he said, 'O king, this black-eyed daughter of Panchala, being

weary, hath fallen down upon the ground. Do thou, therefore, tend her, O

son of Bharata. Undeserving as she is of misery, this lady of slow pace

hath been subject to great hardships, and she is also worn out with the

fatigues of the journey. O mighty king, do thou therefore, comfort her.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Having heard these words of Nakula, the king as also

Bhima and Sahadeva, became sorely afflicted, and hastily ran towards her.

And finding her weak, and her countenance pale, the pious son of Kunti

began to lament in grief, taking her on his lap. Yudhishthira said.

'Accustomed to ease, and deserving to sleep in wellprotected rooms, on

beds spread over with fine sheets, how doth this beautiful one sleep

prostrate on the ground! Alas! On my account (alone), the delicate feet

and the lotus-like face of this one deserving of all excellent things,

have contracted a dark-blue hue. O what have I done! Fool that I am,

having been addicted to dice, I have been wandering in the forest full of

wild beasts, taking Krishna in my company. This large-eyed one had been

bestowed by her father, the king of the Drupadas, in the hope that the

blessed girl would be happy, by obtaining the sons of Pandu for her

lords. It is on account of my wretched self, that without obtaining

anything hoped for, she sleepeth prostrate on the ground, tired with

hardships, sorrow and travel!"

Vaisampayana said, "While king Yudhishthira the just was lamenting thus,

Dhaumya with all the other principal Brahmanas came to the spot. And they

began to console him and to honour him with blessings. And they recited

mantras capable of dispelling Rakshasas and (to that end) also performed

rites. And on the mantras being recited by the great ascetics, in order

to the restoration of (Panchali's) health, Panchali frequently touched by

the Pandavas with their soothing palms and fanned by cool breezes

surcharged with particles of water, felt ease, and gradually regained her

senses. And finding that exhausted poor lady restored to her senses, the

sons of Pritha, placing her on deer-skin, caused her to take rest. And

taking her feet of red soles, bearing auspicious marks, the twins began

to press them gently with their hands, scarred by the bow-string. And

Yudhishthira the just, the foremost of the Kurus, also comforted her and

addressed Bhima in the following words: 'O Bhima, there yet remain many

mountains (before us), rugged, and inaccessible because of snow. How,

long-armed one, will Krishna pass over them?' Thereupon Bhima said, 'O

king, I myself shall carry thee, together with this princess and these

bulls among men, the twins; therefore, O king of kings, resign not thy

mind unto despair. Or, at thy bidding, O sinless one, Hidimava's son, the

mighty Ghatotkacha, who is capable of ranging the skies and who is like

unto me in strength, will carry us all.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Then with Yudhishthira's permission, Bhima thought of

his Rakshasa son. And no sooner was he thought of by his father, than the

pious Ghatotkacha made his appearance and, saluting the Pandavas and the

Brahmanas, stood with joined hands. And they also caressed him of mighty

arms. He then addressed his father, Bhimasena of dreadful prowess,

saying, 'Having been thought of by thee I have come here with speed, in

order to serve thee. Do thou, O longarmed one, command me. I shall

certainly be able to perform whatever thou bidst.' Hearing this,

Bhimasena hugged the Rakshasa to his breast."

SECTION CXLIV

"Yudhishthira said, 'O Bhima, let this mighty and heroic Rakshasa chief,

thy legitimate son, devoted to us, and truthful, and conversant with

virtue carry (his) mother (Draupadi) without delay. And, O possessor of

dreadful prowess, depending on the strength of thy arms, I shall reach

the Gandhamadana, unhurt, together with Panchala's daughter.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Hearing the words of his brother, that tiger among

men, Bhimasena, commanded his son, Ghatotkacha, represser of foes,

saying, 'O invincible son of Hidimva, this thy mother hath been sorely

tired. Thou art, again, strong and capable of going wherever thou likest.

Do thou therefore, O ranger of the skies, carry her. May prosperity

attend thee! Taking her on thy shoulders, thou shalt go in our company,

adopting a course not far overhead,--so that thou mayst not render her

uneasy.' Thereat, Ghatotkacha said, 'Even single-handed, I am able to

carry Yudhishthira the just, and Dhaumya, and Krishna, and the twins--and

what wonder then that I shall to-day carry them, when I have others to

assist me? And, O sinless one, hundreds of other heroic (Rakshasas),

capable of moving through the sky, and of assuming any shape at will,

will together carry you all with the Brahmanas."

Vaisampayana said, "Saying this, Ghatotkacha carried Krishna in the midst

of the Pandavas, and the other (Rakshasas) also began to carry the

Pandavas. And by virtue of his native energy, Lomasa of incomparable

effulgence moved along the path of the Siddhas, like unto a second sun.

And at the command of the lord of the Rakshasas, those Rakshasas of

terrific prowess began to proceed, bearing all the other Brahmanas, and

beholding many a romantic wood. And they proceeded towards the gigantic

jujube tree. And carried by the Rakshasas of great speed, proceeding at a

rapid pace, the heroes passed over longextending ways quickly, as if over

short ones. And on their way they saw various tracts crowded with

Mlechchha people, and containing mines of diverse gems. And they also saw

hillocks teeming with various minerals, thronged with Vidyadharas,

inhabited on all sides by monkeys and Kinnaras and Kimpurushas, and

Gandharvas, and filled with peacocks, and chamaras, and apes, and rurus,

and bears, and gavayas, and buffaloes, intersected with a network of

rivulets, and inhabited by various birds and beasts, and beautified by

elephants, and abounding in trees and enraptured birds. After having thus

passed many countries, and also the Uttarakurus, they saw that foremost

of mountains, the Kailasa, containing many wonders. And by the side of

it, they beheld the hermitage of Nara and Narayana, with celestial trees

bearing flowers and fruits in all seasons. And they also beheld that

beautiful jujube of round trunk. And it was fresh; and of deep shade; and

of excellent beauty; and of thick, soft and sleek foliage; and healthful;

and having gigantic boughs; and wide-spreading; and of incomparable

lustre; and bearing full-grown, tasteful, and holy fruits dropping honey.

And this celestial tree was frequented by hosts of mighty sages, and was

always inhabited by various birds maddened with animal spirits. And it

grew at a spot devoid of mosquitoes and gad-flies, and abounding in

fruits and roots and water, and covered with green grass, and inhabited

by the celestials and the Gandharvas, and of smooth surface, and

naturally healthful, and beauteous and cool and of delicate feel. Having

reached that (tree) together with those bulls among Brahmanas, the

high-souled ones gently alighted from the shoulders of the Rakshasas.

Then in company with those bulls among the twice-born ones, the Pandavas

beheld that romantic asylum presided over by Nara and Narayana; devoid of

gloom; and sacred; and untouched by the solar rays; and free from those

rubs, viz. hunger, and thirst, heat and cold, and removing (all) sorrow;

and crowded with hosts of mighty sages; and adorned with the grace

proceeding from the Vedas, Saman, Rich, and Yajus; and, O king,

inaccessible to men who have renounced religion; and beautified with

offerings, and homas; and sacred; and well-swept and daubed; and shining

all around with offerings of celestial blossoms; and spread over with

altars of sacrificial fire, and sacred ladles and pots; and graced with

large water-jars, and baskets and the refuge of all beings; and echoing

with the chanting of the Vedas; and heavenly: and worthy of being

inhabited; and removing fatigue; and attended with splendour and of

incomprehensible merit; and majestic with divine qualities. And the

hermitage was inhabited by hosts of great sages, subsisting on fruits and

roots; and having their senses under perfect control; and clad in black

deer-skins; and effulgent like unto the Sun and Agni; and of souls

magnified by asceticism and intent on emancipation; and leading the

Vanaprastha mode of life; and of subdued senses; and identified with the

Supreme Soul; and of high fortune; and reciting Vaidic hymns. Then having

purified himself and restrained his senses, that son of Dharma, the

intelligent Yudhishthira of exceeding energy, accompanied by his

brothers, approached those sages. And all the great sages endued with

supernatural knowledge, knowing Yudhishthira arrived, received him

joyfully. And those sages engaged in the recitation of the Vedas, and

like unto fire itself, after having conferred blessings on Yudhishthira,

cheerfully accorded him fitting reception. And they gave him clean water

and flowers and roots. And Yudhishthira the just received with regard the

things gladly offered for his reception by the great sages. And then, O

sinless one, Pandu's son together with Krishna and his brothers, and

thousands of Brahmanas versed in the Vedas and the Vendangas, entered

into that holy hermitage, like unto the abode of Sukra and pleasing the

mind with heavenly odours and resembling heaven itself and attended with

beauty. There the pious (Yudhishthira) beheld the hermitage of Nara and

Narayana, beautified by the Bhagirathi and worshipped by the gods and the

celestial sages. And seeing that hermitage inhabited by the Brahmarshis

and containing fruits dropping honey, the Pandavas were filled with

delight. And having reached that place, the high-souled ones began to

dwell with the Brahmanas. There beholding the holy lake Vinda, and the

mountain Mainaka, of golden summits and inhabited by various species of

birds, the magnanimous ones lived happily with joy. The son of Pandu

together with Krishna took pleasure in ranging excellent and captivating

woods, shining with flowers of every season; beauteous on all sides with

trees bearing blown blossoms; and bending down with the weight of fruits

and attended by the numerous male kokilas and of glossy foliage; and

thick and having cool shade and lovely to behold. They took delight in

beholding diverse beautiful lakes of limpid water and shining all round

with lotuses and lilies. And there, O lord, the balmy breeze bearing pure

fragrance, blew gladdening all the Pandavas, together with Krishna. And

hard by the gigantic jujube, the mighty son of Kunti saw the Bhagirathi

of easy descent and cool and furnished with fresh lotuses and having

stairs made of rubies and corals and graced with trees and scattered over

with celestial flowers, and gladsome to the mind. And at that spot,

frequented by celestials and sages, and extremely inaccessible, they,

after having purified themselves offered oblations unto the pitris and

the gods and the rishis in the sacred waters of the Bhagirathi. Thus

those bulls among men the heroic perpetuators of the Kuru race, began to

reside there with the Brahmanas offering oblations and practising

meditation. And those tigers among men, the Pandavas of the god-like

appearance, felt delight in witnessing the various amusements of

Draupadi."

SECTION CXLV

Vaisampayana said, "There observing cleanliness, those tigers among men

dwelt for six nights, in expectation of beholding Dhananjaya. And it came

to pass that all of a sudden there blew a wind from the north-east and

brought a celestial lotus of a thousand petals and effulgent as the sun.

And Panchali saw that pure and charming lotus of unearthly fragrance,

brought by the wind and left on the ground. And having obtained that

excellent and beautiful lotus, that blessed one became exceedingly

delighted, O king, and addressed Bhimasena in the following words,

'Behold, O Bhima, this most beautiful unearthly flower having within it

the very source of fragrance. It gladdenth my heart, O represser of foes.

This one shall be presented to Yudhishthira the just. Do thou, therefore,

procure others for my satisfaction--in order that I may carry them to our

hermitage in the Kamyaka. If, O Pritha's son, I have found grace with

thee, do thou then procure others of this species in large numbers. I

wish to carry them to our hermitage.' Having said this, the blameless

lady of beautiful glances approached Yudhishthira the just, taking the

flower. And knowing the desire of his beloved queen that bull among men,

Bhima of great strength, also set out, in order to gratify her. And

intent upon fetching the flowers, he began to proceed at rapid space,

facing the wind, in the direction from which the flower had come. And

taking the bow inlaid with gold on the back as also arrows like unto

venomous snakes, he proceeded as a lion in anger or an elephant in rut.

And all beings gazed at him, holding a mighty bow and arrows. And neither

exhaustion, nor langour, neither fear nor confusion, ever possessed the

son of Pritha and the offspring of Vayu (wind). And desirous of pleasing

Draupadi the mighty one, free from fear or confusion, ascended the peak

depending on the strength of his arms. And that slayer of foes began to

range that beautiful peak covered with trees, creepers and of black rocky

base; and frequented by Kinnaras; and variegated with minerals, plants,

beasts, and birds of various hues; and appearing like an upraised arm of

the Earth adorned with an entire set of ornaments. And that one of

matchless prowess proceeded, fixing his look at the slopes of the

Gandhamadana,--beautiful with flowers of every season--and revolving

various thoughts in his mind and with his ears, eyes and mind rivetted to

the spots resounding with the notes of male kokilas and ringing with the

hum of black bees. And like an elephant in rut ranging mad in a forest

that one of mighty prowess smelt the rare odour proceeding from the

flowers of every season. And he was fanned by the fresh breeze of the

Gandhamadana bearing the perfumes of various blossoms and cooling like

unto a father's touch. On his fatigue being removed the down on his body

stood on end. And in this state that represser of foes for the flowers

began to survey all the mountain, inhabited by Yakshas and Gandharvas and

celestials and Brahmarshis. And brushed by the leaves of Saptachchada

tree, besmeared with fresh red, black and white minerals, he looked as if

decorated with lines of holy unguents drawn by fingers. And with clouds

stretching at its sides, the mountain seemed dancing with outspread

wings. And on account of the trickling waters of springs, it appeared to

be decked with necklaces of pearls. And it contained romantic caverns and

groves and cascades and caves. And there were excellent peacocks dancing

to the jingling of the bangles of the Apsaras. And its rocky surface was

worn away by the end of tusks of the elephants presiding over the

cardinal points. And with the waters of rivers falling down, the mountain

looked as if its clothes were getting loosened. And that graceful son of

the wind-god playfully and cheerfully went on, pushing away by his force

countless intertwisted creepers. And stags in curiosity gazed at him,

with grass in their mouths. And not having experienced fear (ever

before), they were unalarmed, and did not flee away. And being engaged in

fulfilling the desire of his love, the youthful son of Pandu, stalwart

and of splendour like unto the hue of gold; and having a body strong as a

lion; and treading like a mad elephant; and possessing the force of a mad

elephant; and having coppery eyes like unto those of a mad elephant; and

capable of checking a mad elephant began to range the romantic sides of

the Gandhamadana with his beautiful eyes uplifted; and displaying as it

were a novel type of beauty. And the wives of Yakshas and Gandharvas

sitting invisible by the side of their husbands, stared at him, turning

their faces with various motions. Intent upon gratifying Draupadi exiled

unto the woods, as he was ranging the beautiful Gandhamadana, he

remembered the many and various woes caused by Duryodhana. And he

thought, 'Now that Arjuna sojourn in heaven and that I too have come away

to procure the flowers, what will our brother Yudhishthira do at present?

Surely, from affection and doubting their prowess, that foremost of men,

Yudhishthira, will not let Nakula and Sahadeva come in search of us. How,

again, can I obtain the flowers soon?' Thinking thus, that tiger among

men proceeded in amain like unto the king of birds, his mind and sight

fixed on the delightful side of the mountain. And having for his

provisions on the journey the words of Draupadi, the mighty son of Pandu,

Vrikodara Bhima, endued with strength and the swiftness of the wind, with

his mind and sight fixed on the blooming slopes of the mountain,

proceeded speedily, making the earth tremble with his tread, even as doth

a hurricane at the equinox; and frightening herds of elephants and

grinding lions and tigers and deer and uprooting and smashing large trees

and tearing away by force plants and creepers, like unto an elephant

ascending higher and higher the summit of a mountain; and roaring

fiercely even as a cloud attended with thunder. And awakened by that

mighty roaring of Bhima, tigers came out of their dens, while other

rangers of the forest hid themselves. And the coursers of the skies

sprang up (on their wing) in fright. And herds of deer hurriedly ran

away. And birds left the trees (and fled). And lions forsook their dens.

And the mighty lions were roused from their slumber. And the buffaloes

stared. And the elephants in fright, leaving that wood, ran to more

extensive forests company with their mates. And the boars and the deer

and the lions and the buffaloes and the tigers and the jackals and the

gavayas of the wood began to cry in herds. And the ruddy geese, and the

gallinules and the ducks and the karandavas and the plavas and the

parrots and the male kokilas and the herons in confusion flew in all

directions, while some proud elephants urged by their mates, as also some

lions and elephants in rage, flew at Bhimasena. And as they were

distracted at heart through fear, these fierce animals discharging urine

and dung, set up loud yells with gapping mouths. Thereupon the

illustrious and graceful son of the wind-god, the mighty Pandava,

depending upon the strength of his arms, began to slay one elephant with

another elephant and one lion with another lion while he despatched the

others with slaps. And on being struck by Bhima the lions and the tigers

and the leopards, in fright gave loud cries and discharged urine and

dung. And after having destroyed these the handsome son of Pandu,

possessed of mighty strength, entered into the forest, making all sides

resound with his shouts. And then the long-armed one saw on the slopes of

the Gandhamadana a beautiful plantain tree spreading over many a yojana.

And like unto a mad lion, that one of great strength proceeded amain

towards that tree breaking down various plants. And that foremost of

strong persons--Bhima--uprooting innumerable plantain trunks equal in

height to many palm-trees (placed one above another), cast them on all

sides with force. And that highly powerful one, haughty like a male lion,

sent up shouts. And then he encountered countless beasts of gigantic

size, and stags, and monkeys, and lions, and buffaloes, and aquatic

animals. And what with the cries of these, and what with the shouts of

Bhima, even the beasts and birds that were at distant parts of the wood,

became all frightened. And hearing those cries of beasts and birds,

myriads of aquatic fowls suddenly rose up on wetted wings. And seeing

these fowls of water, that bull among the Bharatas proceeded in that

direction; and saw a vast and romantic lake. And that fathomless lake

was, as it were, being fanned by the golden plantain trees on the coast,

shaken by the soft breezes. And immediately descending into the lake

abounding in lilies and lotuses, he began to sport lustily like unto a

mighty maddened elephant. Having thus sported there for a long while, he

of immeasurable effulgence ascended, in order to penetrate with speed

into that forest filled with trees. Then the Pandava winded with all his

might his loud-blowing shell. And striking his arms with his hands, the

mighty Bhima made all the points of heaven resound. And filled with the

sounds of the shell, and with the shouts of Bhimasena, and also with the

reports produced by the striking of his arms, the caves of the mountain

seemed as if they were roaring. And hearing those loud arm-strokes, like

unto the crashing of thunder, the lions that were slumbering in the

caves, uttered mighty howls. And being terrified by the yelling of the

lions, the elephants, O Bharata, sent forth tremendous roars, which

filled the mountain. And hearing those sounds emitted, and knowing also

Bhimasena to be his brother, the ape Hanuman, the chief of monkeys, with

the view of doing good to Bhima, obstructed the path leading to heaven.

And thinking that he (Bhima) should not pass that way,(Hanuman) lay

across the narrow path, beautified by plantain trees, obstructing it for

the sake of the safety of Bhima. With the object that Bhima might not

come by curse or defeat, by entering into the plantain wood, the ape

Hanuman of huge body lay down amidst the plantain trees, being overcome

with drowsiness. And he began to yawn, lashing his long tail, raised like

unto the pole consecrated to Indra, and sounding like thunder. And on all

sides round, the mountains by the mouths of caves emitted those sounds in

echo, like a cow lowing. And as it was being shaken by the reports

produced by the lashing of the tail, the mountain with its summits

tottering, began to crumble all around. And overcoming that roaring of

mad elephants, the sounds of his tail spread over the varied slopes of

the mountain.

"On those sounds being heard the down of Bhima's body stood on end; and

he began to range that plantain wood, in search of those sounds. And that

one of mighty arms saw the monkey-chief in the plantain wood, on an

elevated rocky base. And he was hard to be looked at even as the

lightning-flash; and of coppery hue like that of the lightning-flash: and

endued with the voice of the lightning-flash; and quick moving as the

lightning-flash; and having his short flesh neck supported on his

shoulders; and with his waist slender in consequence of the fullness of

his shoulders. And his tail covered with long hair, and a little bent at

the end, was raised like unto a banner. And (Bhima) saw Hanuman's head

furnished with small lips, and coppery face and tongue, and red ears, and

brisk eyes, and bare white incisors sharpened at the edge.' And his head

was like unto the shining moon; adorned with white teeth within the

mouth; and with mane scattered over, resembling a heap of asoka flowers.

And amidst the golden plantain trees, that one of exceeding effulgence

was lying like unto a blazing fire, with his radiant body. And that

slayer of foes as casting glances with his eyes reddened with

intoxication. And the intelligent Bhima saw that mighty chief of monkeys,

of huge body, lying like unto the Himalaya, obstructing the path of

heaven. And seeing him alone in that mighty forest, the undaunted

athletic Bhima, of long arms, approached him with rapid strides, and

uttered a loud shout like unto the thunder. And at that shout of Bhima,

beasts and birds became all alarmed. The powerful Hanuman, however,

opening his eyes partially looked at him (Bhima) with disregard, with

eyes reddened with intoxication. And then smilingly addressing him,

Hanuman said the following words, 'Ill as I am, I was sleeping sweetly.

Why hast thou awakened me? Thou shouldst show kindness to all creatures,

as thou hast reason. Belonging to the animal species, we are ignorant of

virtue. But being endued with reason, men show kindness towards

creatures. Why do then reasonable persons like thee commit themselves to

acts contaminating alike body, speech, and heart, and destructive of

virtue? Thou knowest not what virtue is, neither hast thou taken council

of the wise. And therefore it is that from ignorance, and childishness

thou destroyest the lower animals. Say, who art thou, and what for hast

thou come to the forest devoid of humanity and human beings? And, O

foremost of men, tell thou also, whither thou wilt go to-day. Further it

is impossible to proceed. Yonder hills are inaccessible. O hero, save the

passage obtained by the practice of asceticism, there is no passage to

that place. This is the path of the celestials; it is ever impassable by

mortals. Out of kindness, O hero, do I dissuade thee. Do thou hearken

unto my words. Thou canst not proceed further from this place. Therefore,

O lord, do thou desist. O chief of men, to-day in very way thou art

welcome to this place. If thou think it proper to accept my words, do

thou then, O best of men, rest here, partaking of fruits and roots, sweet

as ambrosia, and do not have thyself destroyed for naught."

SECTION CXLVI

Vaisampayana said, "O represser of foes, hearing these words of the

intelligent monkey-chief, the heroic Bhima answered, 'Who art thou? And

why also hast thou assumed the shape of a monkey? It is a Kshatriya--one

of a race next to the Brahmanas--that asketh thee. And he belongeth to

the Kuru race and the lunar stock, and was borne by Kunti in her womb,

and is one of the sons of Pandu, and is the off spring of the wind-god,

and is known by the name of Bhimasena.' Hearing these words of the Kuru

hero, Hanuman smiled, and that son of the wind-god (Hanuman) spake unto

that offspring of the wind-god (Bhimasena), saying, 'I am a monkey, I

will not allow thee the passage thou desirest. Better desist and go back.

Do thou not meet with destruction.' At this Bhimasena replied.

'Destruction at anything else do I not ask thee about, O monkey. Do thou

give me passage. Arise! Do not come by grief at my hands.' Hanuman said,

'I have no strength to rise; I am suffering from illness. If go thou

must, do thou go by overleaping me.' Bhima said, 'The Supreme Soul void

of the properties pervadeth a body all over. Him knowable alone by

knowledge, I cannot disregard. And therefore, will I not overleap thee.

If I had not known Him from Whom become manifest all creatures, I would

have leapt over thee and also the mountain, even as Hanuman had bounded

over the ocean.' Thereupon Hanuman said, 'Who is that Hanuman, who had

bounded over the ocean? I ask thee, O best of men. Relate if thou canst.'

Bhima replied, "He is even my brother, excellent with every perfection,

and endued with intelligence and strength both of mind and body. And he

is the illustrious chief of monkeys, renowned in the Ramayana. And for

Rama's queen, that king of the monkeys even with one leap crossed the

ocean extending over a hundred yojanas. That mighty one is my brother. I

am equal unto him in energy, strength and prowess and also in fight. And

able am I to punish thee. So arise. Either give me passage or witness my

prowess to-day. If thou do not listen to my bidding, I shall send thee to

the abode of Yama."

Vaisampayana continued. "Then knowing him (Bhima) to be intoxicated with

strength, and proud of the might of his arms, Hanuman, slighting him at

heart, said the following words, 'Relent thou, O sinless one. In

consequence of age, I have no strength to get up. From pity for me, do

thou go, moving aside my tail.' Being thus addressed by Hanuman, Bhima

proud of the strength of his arms, took him for one wanting in energy and

prowess, and thought within himself, 'Taking fast hold of the tail, will

I send this monkey destitute of energy and prowess, to the region of

Yama.' Thereat, with a smile he slightingly took hold of the tail with

his left hand; but could not move that tail of the mighty monkey. Then

with both arms he pulled it, resembling the pole reared in honour of

Indra. Still the mighty Bhima could not raise the tail with both his

arms. And his eye-brows were contracted up, and his eyes rolled, and his

face was contracted into wrinkles and his body was covered with sweat;

and yet he could not raise it. And when after having striven, the

illustrious Bhima failed in raising the tail, he approached the side of

the monkey, and stood with a bashful countenance. And bowing down,

Kunti's son, with joined hands, spake these words, 'Relent thou, O

foremost of monkeys; and forgive me for my harsh words. Art thou a

Siddha, or a god, or a Gandharva, or a Guhyaka? I ask thee out of

curiosity. Tell me who thou art that hast assumed the shape of monkey, if

it be not a secret, O long-armed one, and if I can well hear it. I ask

thee as a disciple, and I, O sinless one, seek thy refuge.' Thereupon

Hanuman said, 'O represser of foes, even to the extent of thy curiosity

to know me, shall I relate all at length. Listen, O son of Pandu! O

lotus-eyed one, I was begotten by the wind-god that life of the

world--upon the wife of Kesari. I am a monkey, by name Hanuman. All the

mighty monkey-kings, and monkey-chiefs used to wait upon that son of the

sun, Sugriva, and that son of Sakra, Vali. And, O represser of foes, a

friendship subsisted between me and Sugriva, even as between the wind and

fire. And for some cause, Sugriva, driven out by his brother, for a long

time dwelt with me at the Hrisyamukh. And it came to pass that the mighty

son of Dasaratha the heroic Rama, who is Vishnu's self in the shape of a

human being, took his birth in this world. And in company with his queen

and brother, taking his bow, that foremost of bowmen with the view of

compassing his father's welfare, began to reside in the Dandaka forest.

And from Janasthana, that mighty Rakshasa monarch, the wicked Ravana,

carried away his (Rama's) queen by stratagem and force, deceiving, O

sinless one, that foremost of men, through the agency of a Rakshasa,

Maricha, who assumed the form of a deer marked with gem-like and golden

spots."