Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/485

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ADI PARVA.
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elephant. Slain by me on the field of battle, let herons and hawks and jackals tear in glee thy limbs today on the ground! In a moment I shall today make this forest destitute of Rakshasas,—this forest which had so long been polluted by thee the devourer of human beings. Thy sister, O Rakshasa, shall today behold thyself, huge though thou art like a mountain, repeatedly dragged like a huge elephant by a lion. O thou worst of Rakshasas, thyself slain by me, men ranging these woods will henceforth do so safely and without fear!'

"Hearing these words, Hidimva said, 'What need there, O man, of this thy vaunt and this thy boast! Accomplish it all first, and then by thy deed mayst thou vaunt. Therefore delay thou not. Thou knowest thyself to be strong and endued with prowess. Thou shalt rightly estimate thy strength today in thy encounter with me. Until that I will not slay these (thy brothers), let them sleep comfortably. But I will, fool as thou art and the utterer of evil speeches, slay thee first! And drinking the blood of thy body I will slay these also, and then, last of all, this (sister of mine) that hath done me an injury.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Saying this, the cannibal extending his arms ran in wrath towards Bhima-sena that chastiser of all foes. Then Bhima of terrible prowess quickly seized, as if in sport, with great force the extended arms of the Rakshasa who had rushed at him. Then seizing the struggling Rakshasa with violence, Bhima with violence, Bhima dragged him from that spot full thirtytwo cubits, like a lion dragging any little animal. Then the Rakshasa, thus made to feel the weight of Bhima's strength, became very angry and clasping the Pandava sent forth a terrible yell. The mighty Bhima then dragged with force the Rakshasa to a further distance lest his yells should awake his brothers sleeping in comfort. Clasping and dragging each other with great force, both Hidimva and Bhima-sena put forth their prowess. Fighting like two full-grown elephants mad with anger, they then began to break down the trees and tear the creepers that grew around. And at those sounds, those tigers among men (the

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