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

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

SECTION CLIII

"Bhima said, 'I am the son of Pandu, and next by birth to Yudhishthira

the just, and my name is Bhimasena. O Rakshasas, I have come with my

brothers to the jujube named Visala. At that place, Panchali saw an

excellent Saugandhika lotus, which, of a certainty, was carried thither

by the wind from this region. She wisheth to have those flowers in

abundance. Know ye, ye Rakshasas, that I am engaged in fulfilling the

desire of my wedded wife of faultless features, and have come hither to

procure the flowers. Thereat the Rakshasas said, 'O foremost of men, this

spot is dear unto Kuvera, and it is his sporting region. Men subject to

death cannot sport here. O Vrikodara. the celestial sages, and the gods

taking the permission of the chief of the Yakshas, drink of this lake,

and sport herein. And, O Pandava, the Gandharvas and the Apsaras also

divert themselves in this lake. That wicked person who, disregarding the

lord of treasures, unlawfully attempteth to sport here, without doubt,

meeteth with destruction. Disregarding him, thou seekest to take away the

lotuses from this place by main force. Why then dost thou say that thou

art the brother of Yudhishthira the just? First, taking the permission of

the lord of Yakshas, do thou drink of this lake and take away the

flowers. If thou dost not do this, thou shall not be able even to glance

at a single lotus Bhimasena said, 'Ye Rakshasas, I do not see the lord of

wealth here And even if I did see that mighty king, I would not beseech

him Kshatriyas never beseech (any body). This is the eternal morality;

and I by no means wish to forsake the Kshatriya morality. And, further

this lotus-lake hath sprung from the cascades of the mountain; it hath

not been excavated in the mansion of Kuvera. Therefore it belongeth

equally to all creatures with Vaisravana. In regard to a thing of such a

nature, who goeth to beseech another?"

Vaisampayana said, "Having said this unto the Rakshasas, the mighty-armed

and exceedingly unforbearing Bhimasena of great strength plunged into the

lotus-lake. Thereat that powerful one was forbidden by the Rakshasas,

saying, 'Do not do this;' and they from all sides began to abuse him in

anger. But slighting these Rakshasas, that mighty one of dreadful prowess

plunged (farther and farther). Now they all prepared for opposing him.

And with eyes rolling, they upraised their arms, and rushed in wrath at

Bhimasena, exclaiming, 'Seize him!' 'Bind him! Hew him! We shall cook

Bhimasena, and eat him up!' Thereupon that one of great force, taking his

ponderous and mighty mace inlaid with golden plates, like unto the mace

of Yama himself, turned towards those, and then said, 'Stay!' At this,

they darted at him with vehemence, brandishing lances, and axes, and

other weapons. And wishing to destroy Bhima, the dreadful and fierce

Krodhavasas surrounded Bhima on all sides. But that one, being endued

with strength, had been begotten by Vayu in the womb of Kunti; and he was

heroic and energetic, and the slayer of foes, and ever devoted to virtue

and truth, and incapable of being vanquished by enemies through prowess.

Accordingly this high-souled Bhima defeating all the manoeuveres of the

foes, and breaking their arms, killed on the banks of the lake more than

a hundred, commencing with the foremost. And then witnessing his prowess

and strength, and the force of his skill, and also the might of his arms;

and unable to bear (the onset), those prime heroes all of a sudden fled

on all sides in bands.

"Beaten and pierced by Bhimasena, those Krodhavasas quitted the field of

battle, and in confusion quickly fled towards the Kailasa cliff,

supporting themselves in the sky. Having thus by the exercise of his

prowess defeated those hosts, even as Sakra had defeated the armies of

Daityas and Danavas, he (Bhima), now that he had conquered the enemy,

plunged into the lake and began to gather the lotuses, with the object of

gaining his purpose. And as he drank of the waters, like unto nectar, his

energy and strength were again fully restored; and he fell to plucking

and gathering Saugandhika lotuses of excellent fragrance. On the other

hand, the Krodhavasas, being driven by the might of Bhima and exceedingly

terrified, presented themselves before the lord of wealth, and gave an

exact account of Bhima's prowess and strength in fight. Hearing their

words, the god (Kuvera) smiled and then said, 'Let Bhima take for Krishna

as many lotuses as he likes. This is already known to me.' Thereupon

taking the permission of the lord of wealth, those (Rakshasas) renouncing

anger, went to that foremost of the Kurus, and in that lotus-lake beheld

Bhima alone, disporting in delight."

SECTION CLIV

Vaisampayana said, "Then, O best of the Bharatas, Bhima began to collect

those rare unearthly, variegated and fresh flowers in abundance.

"And it came to pass that a high and violent wind, piercing to the touch,

and blowing about gravels, arose, portending battle. And frightful

meteors began to shoot, with thundering sounds. And being enveloped by

darkness, the sun became pale, his rays being obscured. And on Bhima

displaying his prowess, dreadful sounds of explosion rang through the

sky. And the earth began to tremble, and dust fell in showers. And the

points of the heavens became reddened. And beasts and birds began to cry

in shrill tones. And every thing became enveloped in darkness; and

nothing could be distinguished. And other evil omens besides these

appeared there. Witnessing these strange phenomena, Dharma's son

Yudhishthira, the foremost of speakers, said, 'Who is it that will

overcome us? Ye Pandavas who take delight in battle, good betide you! Do

ye equip yourselves. From what I see, I infer that the time for the

display of our prowess hath drawn nigh'. Having said this, the king

looked around. Then not finding Bhima, that represser of foes, Dharma's

son, Yudhishthira, enquired of Krishna and the twins standing near

regarding his brother, Bhima, the doer of dreadful deeds in battle,

saying, 'O Panchali, is Bhima intent upon performing some great feat, or

hath that one delighting in daring deeds already achieved some brave

deed? Portending some great danger, these omens have appeared all around,

indicating a fearful battle.' When Yudhishthira said this, his beloved

queen, the high-minded Krishna of sweet smiles, answered him, in order to

remove his anxiety. 'O king, that Saugandhika lotus which to-day had been

brought by the wind. I had out of love duly shown unto Bhimasena; and I

had also said unto that hero, If thou canst find many of this species,

procuring even all of them, do thou return speedily,--O Pandava, that

mighty armed one, with the view of gratifying my desire, may have gone

towards the north-east to bring them.' Having heard these words of hers,

the king said unto twins, 'Let us together follow the path taken by

Vrikodara. Let the Rakshasas carry those Brahmanas that are fatigued and

weak. O Ghatotkacha, O thou like unto a celestial, do thou carry Krishna.

I am convinced and it is plain that Bhima hath dived into the forest; for

it is long since he hath gone, and in speed he resembleth the wind, and

in clearing over the ground, he is swift like unto Vinata's son, and he

will ever leap into the sky, and alight at his will. O Rakshasas, we

shall follow him through your prowess. He will not at first do any wrong

to the Siddhas versed in the Vedas. O best of the Bharatas, saying, 'So

be it,' Hidimava's son and the other Rakshasas who knew the quarter where

the lotus lake of Kuvera was situated, started cheerfully with Lomasa,

bearing the Pandavas, and many of the Brahmanas. Having shortly reached

that spot, they saw that romantic lake covered with Saugandhika and other

lotuses and surrounded by beautiful woods. And on its shores they beheld

the high-souled and vehement Bhima, as also the slaughtered Yakshas of

large eyes, with their bodies, eyes, arms and thighs smashed, and their

heads crushed. And on seeing the high-souled Bhima, standing on the shore

of that lake in an angry mood, and with steadfast eyes, and biting his

lip, and stationed on the shore of the lake with his mace upraised by his

two hands, like unto Yama with his mace in his hand at the time of the

universal dissolution. Yudhishthira the just, embraced him again and

again, and said in sweet words, 'O Kaunteya, what hast thou done? Good

betide thee! If thou wishest to do good unto me, thou shouldst never

again commit such a rash act, nor offend the gods.' Having thus

instructed the son of Kunti, and taken the flowers those god-like ones

began to sport in that very lake. At this instant, the huge-bodied

warders of the gardens, equipped with rocks for weapons, presented

themselves at the spot. And seeing Yudhishthira the just and the great

sage Lomasa and Nakula and Sahadeva and also the other foremost of

Brahmanas, they all bowed themselves down in humility. And being pacified

by Yudhishthira the just, the Rakshasas became satisfied. And with the

knowledge of Kuvera, those foremost of Kurus for a short time dwelt

pleasantly at that spot on the slopes of the Gandhamadana, expecting

Arjuna."

SECTION CLV

Vaisampayana said, "Once upon a time Yudhishthira, while living at that

place, addressed Krishna, his brother, and the Brahmanas, saying, 'By us

have been attentively seen one after another sacred and auspicious

tirthas, and woods, delightful to beheld, which had ere this been visited

by the celestials and the high-souled sages, and which had been

worshipped by the Brahmanas. And in various sacred asylums we have

performed ablutions with Brahmanas, and have heard from them the lives

and acts of many sages, and also of many royal sages of yore, and other

pleasant stories. And with flowers and water have the gods been

worshipped by us. And with offerings of fruits and roots as available at

each place we have gratified the pitris. And with the high-souled ones

have we performed ablutions in all sacred and beautiful mountains and

lakes, and also in the highly sacred ocean. And with the Brahmanas we

have bathed in the Ila, and in the Saraswati, and in the Sindhu, and in

the Yamuna, and in the Narmada, and in various other romantic tirthas.

And having passed the source of the Ganga, we have seen many a lovely

hill and the Himalaya mountains, inhabited by various species of birds,

and also the jujube named Visala, where there is the hermitage of Nara

and Narayana. And (finally) we have beheld this unearthly lake, held in

veneration by the Siddhas, the gods and the sages. In fact, O foremost of

Brahmanas, we have one by one carefully seen all celebrated and sacred

spots in company with the high-souled Lomasa. Now, O Bhima, how shall we

repair to the sacred abode of Vaisravana, inhabited by the Siddhas? Do

thou think of the means of entering (the same)."

Vaisampayana said, "When that king had said this, an aerial voice spake,

saying. 'Thou will not be able to go to that inaccessible spot. By this

very way, do thou repair from this region of Kuvera to the place whence

thou hadst come even to the hermitage of Nara and Narayana, known by the

name of Vadari. Thence, O Kaunteya. thou wilt repair to the hermitage of

Vrishaparva, abounding in flowers and fruit, and inhabited by the Siddhas

and the Charanas. Having passed that, O Partha, thou wilt proceed to the

hermitage of Arshtisena, and from thence thou wilt behold the abode of

Kuvera.' Just at that moment the breeze became fresh, and gladsome and

cool and redolent of unearthly fragrance; and it showered blossoms, And

on hearing the celestial voice from the sky, they all were amazed,--more

specially those earthly rishis and the Brahmanas. On hearing this mighty

marvel, the Brahmana Dhaumya, said, 'This should not be gainsaid. O

Bharata, let this be so.' Thereupon, king Yudhishthira obeyed him. And

having returned to the hermitage of Nara and Narayana, he began to dwell

pleasantly, surrounded by Bhimasena and his other brothers, Panchali the

Brahmanas."

SECTION CLVI

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus dwelling with the Brahmanas in that best of

mountains, in expectation of Arjuna's return, when the Pandavas had grown

confident and when all those Rakshasas together with Bhima's son had

departed, one day while Bhimasena was away, a Rakshasa all of a sudden

carried off Yudhishthira the just and the twins and Krishna. That

Rakshasa (in the guise of a Brahmana) had constantly remained in the

company of the Pandavas, alleging that he was a high-class Brahmana,

skilled in counsel, and versed in all the Sastras. His object was to

possess himself of the bows, the quivers and the other material

implements belonging to the Pandavas; and he had been watching for an

opportunity of ravishing Draupadi. And that wicked and sinful one was

named Jatasura. And, O king of kings, Pandu's son (Yudhishthira) had been

supporting him, but knew not that wretch like unto a fire covered with

ashes.

"And once on a day while that represser of foes, Bhimasena, was out a

hunting, he (the Rakshasa), seeing Ghatotkacha and his followers scatter

in different directions and seeing those vow-observing great rishis, of

ascetic wealth, viz.; Lomasa and the rest, away for bathing and

collecting flowers, assumed a different form, gigantic and monstrous and

frightful; and having secured all the arms (of the Pandavas) as also

Draupadi, that wicked one fled away taking the three Pandavas. Thereupon

that son of Pandu, Sahadeva, extricated himself with exertion, and by

force snatched the sword named Kausika from the grasp of the enemy and

began to call Bhimasena, taking the direction in which that mighty one

had gone. And on being carried off Yudhishthira the just, addressed him

(that Rakshasa), saying, 'O stupid one, thy merit decreaseth (even by

this act of thine). Dost thou not pay heed unto the established order of

nature? Whether belonging to the human race, or to the lower orders, all

pay regard to virtue,--more specially the Rakshasas. In the first

instance, they knew virtue better than others. Having considered all

these, thou ought to adhere to virtue. O Rakshasa, the gods, the pitris,

the Siddhas, the rishis, the Gandharvas, the brutes and even the worms

and ants depend for their lives on men; and thou too liveth through that

agency. If prosperity attendeth the human race, thy race also prospereth;

and if calamities befall the former, even the celestials suffer grief.

Being gratified by offerings, do the gods thrive. O Rakshasa, we are the

guardians, governors and preceptors of kingdoms. If kingdoms become

unprotected, whence can proceed prosperity and happiness? Unless there be

offence, a Rakshasa should not violate a king. O man-eating one, we have

committed no wrong, ever so little. Living on vighasa, we serve the gods

and others to the best of our power. And we are never intent upon bowing

down to our superiors and Brahmanas. A friend, and one confiding, and he

whose food hath been partaken of, and he that hath afforded shelter,

should never be injured. Thou hast lived in our place happily, being duly

honoured. And, O evil-minded one, having partaken of our food, how canst

thou carry us off? And as thy acts are so improper and as thou hast grown

in age without deriving any benefit and as thy propensities are evil, so

thou deservest to die for nothing, and for nothing wilt thou die to-day.

And if thou beest really evil-disposed and devoid of all virtue, do thou

render us back our weapons and ravish Draupadi after fight. But if

through stupidity thou must do this deed, then in the world thou wilt

only reap demerit and infamy O Rakshasa, by doing violence to this female

of the human race, thou hast drunk poison, after having shaken the

vessel.' Thereupon, Yudhishthira made himself ponderous to the Rakshasa.

And being oppressed with the weight, he could not proceed rapidly as

before. Then addressing Draupadi, Nakula and Sahadeva, Yudhishthira said,

'Do ye not entertain any fear of this wretched Rakshasa, I have checked

his speed. The mighty-armed son of the Wind-god may not be far away; and

on Bhima coming up at the next moment, the Rakshasa will not live.' O

king, staring at the Rakshasa bereft of sense, Sahadeva addressed

Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, saying, 'What can be more meritorious for

a Kshatriya than to fall in fight, or defeat a foe? O repressor of foes,

we will fight and either this one will slay us, or we shall slay him, O

mighty-armed one. Verily this is the place and time. O king. And, O thou

of unfailing prowess, the time hath come for the display of our Kshatriya

virtue. It behoveth us to attain heaven either by gaining victory or

being slain. If the sun sets to-day, the Rakshasa living yet, O Bharata,

I will not any more say that I am a Kshatriya. Ho! Ho! Rakshasa. say! I

am Pandu's son, Sahadeva. Either, after having killed me, carry off this

lady, or being slain, lie senseless here.'

"Madri's son, Sahadeva, was speaking thus, when Bhimasena made his

appearance, with a mace in his hand, like unto Vasava himself wielding

the thunder-bolt. And here he saw his two brothers and the noble-minded

Draupadi (on the shoulders of the demon), and Sahadeva on the ground

rebuking the Rakshasa and also that stupid Rakshasa himself deprived of

sense by Fate, going round in different directions through bewilderment

caused by Destiny. And finding his brothers and Draupadi being carried

off, Bhima of mighty strength was fired with wrath, and addressed the

Rakshasa, saying, 'I had ere this found thee out for a wicked wight from

thy scrutiny of our weapons; but as I had no apprehension of thee, so I

had not slain thee at that time. Thou wert in the disguise of a

Brahmana--nor didst thou say anything harsh unto us. And thou didst take

delight in pleasing us. And thou also didst not do us wrong. And,

furthermore, thou wert our guest. How could I, therefore, slay thee, who

wert thus innocent of offence, and who wert in the disguise of a

Brahmana? He that knowing such a one to be even a Rakshasa, slayeth him,

goes to hell. Further, thou canst not be killed before the time cometh.

Surely to-day thou hast reached the fullness of thy time in as much as

thy mind hath been thus turned by the wonder-performing Fate towards

carrying off Krishna. By committing thyself to this deed, thou hast

swallowed up the hook fastened to the line of Fate. So like unto a fish

in water, whose mouth hath been hooked, how canst thou live to-day? Thou

shall not have to go whither thou intendest to, or whither thou hadst

already gone mentally; but thou shall go whither have repaired Vaka and

Hidimva.'

"Thus addressed by Bhima, the Rakshasa in alarm put them down; and being

forced by Fate, approached for fight. And with his lips trembling in

anger he spake unto Bhima, saying, 'Wretch! I have not been bewildered; I

had been delaying for thee. To day will I offer oblations of thy blood to

those Rakshasas who, I had heard, have been slain by thee in fight' Thus

addressed, Bhima, as if bursting with wrath, like unto Yama himself at

the time of the universal dissolution, rushed towards the Rakshasa,

licking the corners of his mouth and staring at him as he struck his own

arms with the hands. And seeing Bhima waiting in expectation of fight,

the Rakshasa also darted towards him in anger, like unto Vali towards the

wielder of the thunderbolt, repeatedly gaping and licking the corners of

his mouth. And when a dreadful wrestling ensued between those two, both

the sons of Madri, waxing exceeding wroth rushed forward; but Kunti's

son, Vrikodara, forbade them with a smile and said, 'Witness ye! I am

more than a match for this Rakshasa. By my own self and by my brothers,

and by my merit, and by my good deeds, and by my sacrifices, do I swear

that I shall slay this Rakshasa.' And after this was said, those two

heroes, the Rakshasa and Vrikodara challenging each other, caught each

other by the arms. And they not forgiving each other, then there ensued a

conflict between the infuriated Bhima and the Rakshasa, like unto that

between a god and a demon. And repeatedly uprooting trees, those two of

mighty strength struck each other, shouting and roaring like two masses

of clouds. And those foremost of athletes, each wishing to kill the

other, and rushing at the other with vehemence, broke down many a

gigantic tree by their thighs. Thus that encounter with trees,

destructive of plants, went on like unto that between the two brothers

Vali and Sugriva--desirous of the possession of a single woman.

Brandishing trees for a moment, they struck each other with them,

shouting incessantly. And when all the trees of the spot had been pulled

down and crushed into fibres by them endeavouring to kill each other,

then, O Bharata, those two of mighty strength, taking up rocks, began to

fight for a while, like unto a mountain and a mighty mass of clouds. And

not suffering each other, they fell to striking each other with hard and

large crags, resembling vehement thunder-bolts. Then from strength

defying each other, they again darted at each other, and grasping each

other by their arms, began to wrestle like unto two elephants. And next

they dealt each other fierce blows. And then those two mighty ones began

to make chattering sounds by gnashing their teeth. And at length, having

clenched his fist like a five-headed snake, Bhima with force dealt a blow

on the neck of the Rakshasa. And when struck by that fist of Bhima, the

Rakshasa became faint, Bhimasena stood, catching hold of that exhausted

one. And then the god-like mighty-armed Bhima lifted him with his two

arms, and dashing him with force on the ground, the son of Pandu smashed

all his limbs. And striking him with his elbow, he severed from his body

the head with bitten lips and rolling eyes, like unto a fruit from its

stem. And Jatasura's head being severed by Bhimasena's might, he fell

besmeared with gore, and having bitten lips. Having slain Jatasura, Bhima

presented himself before Yudhishthira, and the foremost Brahmanas began

to eulogise him (Bhima) even as the Marutas (eulogise) Vasava."

SECTION CLVII

Vaisampayana continued, "On that Rakshasa having been slain, that lord,

the royal son of Kunti, returned to the hermitage of Narayana and began

to dwell there. And once on a time, remembering his brother Jaya

(Arjuna), Yudhishthira summoned all his brothers, together with Draupadi

and said these words, 'We have passed these four years peacefully ranging

the woods. It hath been appointed by Vibhatsu that about the fifth year

he will come to that monarch of mountains, the excellent cliff Sweta,

ever graced with festivities held by blooming plants and maddened Kokilas

and black bees, and peacocks, and chatakas and inhabited by tigers, and

boars and buffaloes, and gavayas, and deer, and ferocious beasts; and

sacred; and lovely with blown lotuses of a hundred and a thousand petals,

and blooming lilies and blue lilies and frequented by the celestials and

the Asuras. And we also, eagerly anxious of meeting him on his arrival

have made up our minds to repair thither. Partha of unrivalled prowess

hath appointed with me, saying, 'I shall remain abroad for five years,

with the object of learning military science.' In the place like unto the

region of the gods, shall we behold the wielder of Gandiva, arrive after

having obtained the weapons.' Having said this, the Pandava summoned the

Brahmanas, and the sons of Pritha having gone round the ascetics of rigid

austerities and thereby pleased them, informed them of the matter

mentioned above. Thereupon the Brahmanas gave their assent, saying, 'This

shall be attended by prosperity and welfare. O foremost of the Bharatas,

these troubles shall result in happiness. O pious one, gaining the earth

by the Kshatriya virtue, thou shall govern it.' Then in obedience to

these words of the ascetics, that represser of foes, Yudhishthira, set

out with his brothers and those Brahmanas, followed by the Rakshasa and

protected by Lomasa. And that one of mighty energy, and of staunch vows,

with his brothers, at places went on foot and at others were carried by

the Rakshasas. Then king Yudhishthira, apprehending many troubles,

proceeded towards the north abounding in lions and tigers and elephants.

And beholding on the way the mountain Mainaka and the base of the

Gandhamadana and that rocky mass Sweta and many a crystal rivulet higher

and higher up the mountain, he reached on the seventeenth day the sacred

slopes of the Himalayas. And, O king, not far from the Gandhamadana,

Pandu's son beheld on the sacred slopes of the Himavan covered with

various trees and creepers the holy hermitage of Vrishaparva surrounded

by blossoming trees growing near the cascades. And when those repressers

of foes, the sons of Pandu, had recovered from fatigue, they went to the

royal sage, the pious Vrishaparva and greeted him. And that royal sage

received with affection those foremost of Bharatas, even as his own sons.

And those repressers of foes passed there seven nights, duly regarded.

And when the eighth day came, taking the permission of that sage

celebrated over the worlds, they prepared to start on their journey. And

having one by one introduced unto Vrishaparva those Brahmanas, who, duly

honoured, remained in his charge as friends; and having also entrusted

the highsouled Vrishaparva with their remaining robes, the sons of Pandu,

O king, left in the hermitage of Vrishaparva their sacrificial vessels

together with their ornaments and jewels. And wise and pious and versed

in every duty and having a knowledge of the past as well as the future,

that one gave instructions unto those best of the Bharatas, as unto his

own sons. Then taking his permission those high-souled ones set out

towards the north. And as they set out the magnanimous Vrishaparva

followed them to a certain distance. Then having entrusted the Pandavas

unto the care of the Brahmanas and instructed and blessed them and given

directions concerning their course, Vrishaparva of mighty energy retraced

his steps.

"Then Kunti's son, Yudhishthira of unfailing prowess, together with his

brothers, began to proceed on foot along the mountain path, inhabited by

various kinds of beasts. And having dwelt at the mountain slopes, densely

overgrown with trees, Pandu's son on the fourth day reached the Sweta

mountain, like unto a mighty mass of clouds, abounding in streams and

consisting of a mass of gold and gems. And taking the way directed by

Vrishaparva, they reached one by one the intended places, beholding

various mountains. And over and over they passed with ease many

inaccessible rocks and exceedingly impassable caves of the mountain. And

Dhaumya and Krishna and the Parthas and the mighty sage Lomasa went on in

a body and none grew tired. And those highly fortunate ones arrived at

the sacred and mighty mountain resounding with the cries of birds and

beasts and covered with various trees and creepers and inhabited by

monkeys, and romantic and furnished with many lotus-lakes and having

marshes and extensive forests. And then with their down standing erect,

they saw the mountain Gandhamadana, the abode of Kimpurushas, frequented

by Siddhas and Charanas and ranged by Vidyadharis and Kinnaris and

inhabited by herds of elephants and thronged with lions and tigers and

resounding with the roars of Sarabhas and attended by various beasts. And

the war-like sons of Pandu gradually entered into the forest of the

Gandhamadana, like unto the Nandana gardens, delightful to the mind and

heart and worthy of being inhabited and having beautiful groves. And as

those heroes entered with Draupadi and the high-souled Brahmanas, they

heard notes uttered by the mouths of birds, exceedingly sweet and

graceful to the ear and causing delight and dulcet and broken by reason

of excess of animal spirits. And they saw various trees bending under the

weight of fruits in all seasons, and ever bright with flowers--such as

mangoes and hog-plums and bhavyas and pomegranates, citrons and jacks and

lakuchas and plantains and aquatic reeds and parvatas and champakas and

lovely kadamvas and vilwas, wood-apples and rose-apples and kasmaris and

jujbes and figs and glomerous figs and banians and aswatthas and khirikas

and bhall atakas and amalkas and bibhitakas and ingudas and karamardas

and tindukas of large fruits--these and many others on the slopes of the

Gandhamadana, clustered with sweet and nectarine fruits. And besides

these, they beheld champakas and asokas and ketakas and vakulas and

punnagas and saptaparnas and karnikaras, and patals, and beautiful

kutajas and mandaras, and lotuses, and parijatas, and kovidaras and

devadarus, and salas, and palmyra palms, and tamalas, and pippalas, and

salmalis and kinsukas, and singsapas, and saralas and these were

inhabited by Chakoras, and wood-peckers and chatakas, and various other

birds, singing in sweet tones pleasing to the ear. And they saw lakes

beautiful on all sides with aquatic birds, and covered all around with

kumudas, and pundarikas, and kokanadas, and utpalas, and kalharas, and

kamalas and thronged on all sides with drakes and ruddy geese, and

ospreys, and gulls and karandavas, and plavas, and swans, and cranes, and

shags, and other aquatic birds. And those foremost of men saw those

lotus-lakes beautified with assemblages of lotuses, and ringing with the

sweet hum of bees, glad, and drowsy on account of having drunk the

intoxicating honey of lotuses, and reddened with the farina falling from

the lotuscups. And in the groves they beheld with their hens peacocks

maddened with desire caused by the notes of cloud-trumpets; and those

woods-loving glad peacocks drowsy with desire, were dancing, spreading in

dalliance their gorgeous tails, and were crying in melodious notes. And

some of the peacocks were sporting with their mates on kutaja trees

covered with creepers. And some sat on the boughs of the kutajas,

spreading their gorgeous tails, and looking like crowns worn by the

trees. And in the glades they beheld the graceful sindhuvaras like unto

the darts of Cupid. And on the summits of the mountain, they saw blooming

karnikaras bearing blossoms of a golden hue, appearing like ear-rings of

excellent make. And in the forest they saw blossoming kuruvakas, like

unto the shafts of Cupid, which smiteth one with desire and maketh him

uneasy. And they saw tilakas appearing like unto beauty-spots painted on

the forehead of the forest. And they saw mango trees graced with blossoms

hummed over by black bees, and serving the purpose of Cupid's shafts. And

on the slopes of the mountain there were diverse blossoming trees,

looking lovely, some bearing flowers of a golden hue, and some, of the

hue of the forest-conflagration, and some, red and some sable, and some

green like unto lapises. And besides these, there were ranges of salas

and tamalas and patalas and vakula trees, like unto garlands put on by

the summits of mountain. Thus gradually beholding on the slopes of the

mountain many lakes, looking transparent like crystal, and having swans

of white plumage and resounding with cries of cranes, and filled with

lotuses and lilies, and furnished with waters of delicious feel; and also

beholding fragrant flowers, and luscious fruits, and romantic lakes, and

captivating trees, the Pandavas penetrated into the forest with eyes

expanded with wonder. And (as they proceeded) they were fanned by the

breeze of balmy feel, and perfumed by kamalas and utpalas and kalharas

and pundarikas. Then Yudhishthira pleasantly spake unto Bhima saying,

'Ah! O Bhima, beautiful is this forest of the Gandhamadana. In this

romantic forest there are various heavenly blossoming wild trees and

creepers, bedecked with foliage and fruit, nor are there any trees that

do not flower. On these slopes of the Gandhamadana, all the trees are of

sleek foliage and fruit. And behold how these lotus-lakes with fullblown

lotuses, and ringing with the hum of black bees, are being agitated by

elephants with their mates. Behold another lotus-lake girt with lines of

lotuses, like unto a second Sree in an embodied form wearing garlands.

And in this excellent forest there are beautiful ranges of woods, rich

with the aroma of various blossoms, and hummed over by the black bees.

And, O Bhima, behold on all sides the excellent sporting ground of the

celestials. By coming here, we have attained extra-human state, and been

blessed. O Partha, on these slopes of the Gandhamadana, yon beautiful

blossoming trees, being embraced by creepers with blossoms at their tops,

look lovely. And, O Bhima, hark unto the notes of the peacocks crying

with their hens on the mountain slopes. And birds such as chakoras, and

satapatras, and maddened kokilas, and parrots, are alighting on these

excellent flowering trees. And sitting on the twigs, myriads of

jivajivakas of scarlet, yellow and red hues, are looking at one another.

And the cranes are seen near the spots covered with green and reddish

grass, and also by the side of the cascades. And those birds,

bhringarajas, and upachakras, and herons are pouring forth their notes

charming to all creatures. And, lo! with their mates, these elephants

furnished with four tusks, and white as lotuses, are agitating that large

lake of the hue of lapises. And from many cascades, torrents high as

several palmyra palms (placed one upon another) are rushing down from the

cliffs. And many argent minerals splendid, and of the effulgence of the

sun, and like unto autumnal clouds, are beautifying this mighty mountain.

And in some places there are minerals of the hue of the collyrium, and in

some those like unto gold, in some, yellow orpiment and in some,

vermilion, and in some, caves of red arsenic like unto the evening clouds

and in some, red chalk of the hue of the rabit, and in some, minerals

like unto white and sable clouds; and in some, those effulgent as the

rising sun, these minerals of great lustre beautify the mountain. O

Partha, as was said by Vrishaparva, the Gandharvas and the Kimpurushas,

in company with their loves, are visible on the summits of the mountain.

And, O Bhima, there are heard various songs of appropriate measures, and

also Vedic hymns, charming to all creatures. Do thou behold the sacred

and graceful celestial river Mahaganga, with swans, resorted to by sages

and Kinnaras. And, O represser of foes, see this mountain having

minerals, rivulets, and beautiful woods and beasts, and snakes of diverse

shapes and a hundred heads and Kinnaras, Gandharvas and Apsaras.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Having attained excellent state, those valiant and

warlike repressers of foes with Draupadi and the high-souled Brahmanas

were exceedingly delighted at heart, and they were not satiated by

beholding that monarch of mountains. Thereafter they saw the hermitage of

the royal sage Arshtishena, furnished with flowers and trees bearing

fruits. Then they went to Arshtishena versed in all duties of rigid

austerities, skeleton-like, and having muscles bare."