Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/488

plants. And, O Rakshasa, thou shalt no longer slay human beings for thy food!' Arjuna, at this juncture said, 'O Bhima, if thou thinkest it a hard task for thee to overcome this Rakshasa in combat, let me render thee help! Else; slay him thyself without loss of time! Or, O Vrikodara, let me alone slay the Rakshasa! Thou art tired, and hast almost finished the affair. Well dost thou deserve rest!'"

Vaisampayana continues, "Hearing these words of Arjuna, Bhima was fired with rage and dashing the Rakshasa on the ground with all his might slew him as if he were an animal. The Rakshasa, while dying, sent forth a terrible yell that filled the whole forest, and deep as the sound of a wet drum. Then the mighty Bhima, holding the body with his hands, bent it double and breaking it in the middle greatly gratified his brothers. They, beholding Hidimva slain, became exceedingly glad and lost no time in offering their congratulations to Bhima that chastiser of all foes. Then Arjuna, worshipping the illustrious Bhima of terrible prowess, addressed him again and said, 'Reverend signor, I think there is a town not far off from this forest. Blest be thou, let us go hence soon so that Duryodhana may not trace us.'

"Then all those mighty charioteers,—those tigers among men,—saying, 'So be it,' proceeded along with their mother followed by Hidimvā the Rakshasa woman."

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

Vaisampayana said, "Bhima, beholding Hidimvā following them, addressed her, saying, the Rakshas revenge themselves on their enemies by adopting deceptions that are incapble of being penetrated. Therefore, O Hidimvā, go thou the way on which thy brother hath gone!' Then Yudhish-thira, beholding Bhima in rage, said, 'O Bhima,' O thou tiger among men, however enraged, do not slay a woman! O Pandava, the observance of virtue is a higher