Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/486

sleeping Pandavas) woke up with their mother, and saw Hidimvā sitting before them."

Thus ends the hundred and fifty-fifth Section in the Hidimva-badha of the Adi Parva.

Vaisampayana said, "Roused from sleep, those tigers among men with their mother, beholding the extraordinary beauty of Hidimvā, were filled with wonder. And Kunti, gazing at her and filled with wonder at her beauty, addressed her sweetly and gave her every assurance. And she asked, 'O thou of the splendour of a daughter of the celestials, whose art thou and who art thou? O thou of the fairest complexion, for what buisness hast thou come hither and whence hast thou come? If thou art the deity of these woods, or an Apsarā, tell me all regarding thyself and also why thou dost stay here!' Hearing these words, Hidimvā replied, 'This extensive forest that thou seest, of the hue of blue clouds, is the abode of a Rakshasa of name Hidimva as also of mine. O handsome lady, know me as the sister of that chief of the Rakshasas. Reverend dame, I had been sent by that brother of mine to kill thee with all thy children. But arrived here at the command of that cruel brother of mine, I beheld thy mighty son of color like pure gold. Then, O blessed lady, I was brought under the control of thy son by Manmatha (the deity of love) that pervadeth the nature of every being! I then (mentally) chose that mighty son of thine as my husband! I tried my best to convey ye hence, but I could not (because of thy sons opposition). Then the cannibal seeing my delay came hither to kill all these thy children. But he hath been dragged hence with force by that mighty and intelligent son of thine—my husband. Behold now that couple-a man and a Rakshasa—both endued with great strength and prowess, engaged in combat, grinding each other and filling the whole region with their shouts.'"