Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/480

sleeping on the ground like ordinary persons sleeping in trustfulness. And Bhima said unto himself, 'I think there is some town not far off from this forest. These all are asleep, so I will sit awake. And these will slake their thirst after they rise refreshed from sleep!' Saying this, Bhim sat there awake, keeping watch over his sleeping mother and brothers."

Thus ends the hundred and fifty-third Section in the Jatu-griha of the Adi Parva.

Vaisampayana said, "Not far from the place where the Pandavas were asleep, a Rakshasa of name Hidimva dwelt on a Shala tree. Possessed of great energy and prowess, he was cruel cannibal of visage grim in consequence of his sharp and long teeth. He was now hungry and longing for human fool. 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, in 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 wishfully at times. Of huge body and great strength, of complexion like a mass of clouds, of teeth long and sharp-pointed and face emitting a sort of lustre, he was ever pleased with human food. And scenting the odor of man, he addressed his sister, saying, 'O sister, it is after a long time that such agreeable food hath approached me! My tongue is moistened with saliva owing to 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, dip into the most delicious meat. 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 thou and ascertain who