SECTION CLIV
(Hidimva-vadha Parva)
"Vaisampayana said, 'Not far from the place
where the Pandavas were asleep, a Rakshasa by name Hidimva dwelt on the Sala
tree. Possessed of great energy and prowess, he was a cruel cannibal of visage
that was grim in consequence of his sharp and long teeth. He was now hungry and
longing for human flesh. Of long shanks and a large belly, his locks and beard
were both red in hue. His shoulders were broad like the neck of a tree; his
ears were like unto arrows, and his features were frightful. Of red eyes and
grim visage, the monster beheld, while casting his glances around, the sons of
Pandu sleeping in those woods. He was then hungry and longing for human flesh.
Shaking his dry and grizzly locks and scratching them with his fingers pointed
upwards, the large-mouthed cannibal repeatedly looked at the sleeping sons of
Pandu yawning wistfully at times. Of huge body and great strength, of
complexion like the colour of a mass of clouds, of teeth long and sharp-pointed
and face emitting a sort of lustre, he was ever pleased with human flesh. And
scenting the odour of man, he addressed his sister, saying, 'O sister, it is
after a long time that such agreeable food hath approached me! My mouth waters
at the anticipated relish of such food. My eight teeth, so sharp-pointed and
incapable of being resisted by any substance, I shall, today, after a long
time, put into the most delicious flesh. Attacking the human throat and even
opening the veins, I shall (today) drink a plentiful quantity of human blood,
hot and fresh and frothy. Go and ascertain who these are, lying asleep in these
woods. The strong scent of man pleaseth my nostrils. Slaughtering all these
men, bring them unto me. They sleep within my territory. Thou needest have no
fear from them. Do my bidding soon, for we shall then together eat their flesh,
tearing off their bodies at pleasure. And after feasting to our fill on human
flesh we shall then dance together to various measures!'
"Thus addressed by Hidimva in those woods,
Hidimva, the female cannibal, at the command of her brother, went, O bull of
Bharata's race, to the spot where the Pandavas were. And ongoing there, she
beheld the Pandavas asleep with their mother and the invincible Bhimasena
sitting awake. And beholding Bhimasena unrivalled on earth for beauty and like
unto a vigorous Sala tree, the Rakshasa woman immediately fell in love with
him, and she said to herself, 'This person of hue like heated gold and of
mighty arms, of broad shoulders as the lion, and so resplendent, of neck marked
with three lines like a conch-shell and eyes like lotus-petals, is worthy of
being my husband. I shall not obey the cruel mandate of my brother. A woman's
love for her husband is stronger than her affection for her brother. If I slay
him, my brother's gratification as well as mine will only be momentary. But if
I slay him not, I can enjoy, with him for ever and ever.' Thus saying, the
Rakshasa woman, capable of assuming form at will, assumed an excellent human
form and began to advance with slow steps towards Bhima of mighty arms. Decked
with celestial ornaments she advanced with smiles on her lips and a modest
gait, and addressing Bhima said, 'O bull among men, whence hast thou come here
and who art thou? Who, besides, are these persons of celestial beauty sleeping
here? Who also, O sinless one, is this lady of transcendent beauty sleeping so
trustfully in these woods as if she were lying in her own chamber? Dost thou
not know that this forest is the abode of a Rakshasa. Truly do I say, here
liveth the wicked Rakshasa called Hidimva. Ye beings of celestial beauty, I
have been sent hither even by that Rakshasa--my brother--with the cruel intent
of killing you for his food. But I tell thee truly that beholding thee
resplendent as a celestial, I would have none else for my husband save thee!
Thou who art acquainted with all duties, knowing this, do unto me what is
proper. My heart as well as my body hath been pierced by (the shafts of) Kama
(Cupid). O, as I am desirous of obtaining thee, make me thine. O thou of mighty
arms, I will rescue thee from the Rakshasa who eateth human flesh. O sinless
one, be thou my husband. We shall then live on the breasts of mountains
inaccessible to ordinary mortals. I can range the air and I do so at pleasure.
Thou mayest enjoy great felicity with me in those regions.'
"Hearing these words of hers, Bhima replied,
'O Rakshasa woman, who can, like a Muni having all his passions under control,
abandon his sleeping mother and elder and younger brothers? What man like me
would go to gratify his lust, leaving his sleeping mother and brothers as food
for a Rakshasa?'
"The Rakshasa woman replied, 'O, awaken all
these, I shall do unto you all that is agreeable to thee! I shall certainly
rescue you all from my cannibal brother?'
"Bhima then said, 'O Rakshasa woman, I will
not, from fear of thy wicked brother, awaken my brothers and mother sleeping
comfortably in the woods. O timid one, Rakshasas are never able to bear the
prowess of my arms. And, O thou of handsome eyes, neither men, nor Gandharvas,
nor Yakshas are able to bear my might. O amiable one, thou mayst stay or go as
thou likest, or mayst even send thy cannibal brother, O thou of delicate shape.
I care not.'"
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