Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/484

bal, beholding her in that charming human form, suspected that she was desirous of carnal intercourse and became indignant. And, O thou best of the Kurus, becoming angry with his sister, the Rakshasa expanded his eyes and addressing her said, 'What senseless creature wishes to throw obstacles in my path now that I am so hungry? Hast thou become so senseless, O Hidimvā, that thou fearest not my wrath? Fie on thee, unchaste woman! Thou art even now desirous of carnal intercourse and solicitous of doing me an injury! Thou art ready to sacrifice the good name and honor of all the Rakshasas thy ancestors! Those with whose aid thou wouldst do me this great injury, I will, even now, slay along with thee!' Addressing his sister thus, Hidimva, with eyes red in anger and teeth pressing against teeth, ran at her for killing her then and there. But beholding him to rush at his sister, Bhima that foremost of smiters endued with great energy rebuked him and said, 'Stop,' 'Stop,'"

Vaisampayana continued, "And Bhima beholding the Rakshasa angry with his sister, smiled (in derision), and addressing him said, 'O Hidimva, what need is there for thee to awaken these persons sleeping so comfortably. O thou wicked cannibal, approach me first without loss of time! Smite me first,—it behoveth thee not to kill a woman, especially when she has been sinned against instead of sinning! This girl is scarcely responsible for her act in desiring intercourse with me! She hath in this been moved by the deity of desire that pervadeth every living form Thou wicked wretch and the most infamous of Rakshasas thy sister came here at thy command! Beholding my person she desireth me. In that the timid girl doth no injury to thee! It is the deity of desire that both offended. It behoveth thee not to injure her for his offence! O wicked wretch, thou shall not slay a woman when I am here! Come with me, thou cannibal, and fight with myself singly! Singly shall I send thee today to the abode of Yama! O Pakshasa, let thy head today, pressed by my might, be pounded to pieces, as if pressed by the tread of a mighty