Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/490

"Hearing these words of Hidimvā, Yudhish-thira said, 'It is even so, O Hidimvā, as thou sayest. There is no doubt of it. But, O thou of slender-waist, thou must act even as thou hast said! Bhima will, after he hath washed himself and said his prayers and performed the usual propitiatory rites, pay his attentions to thee till the sun sets. Sport thou with him as thou likest, during the day, O thou endued with the speed of the mind! But thou must bring Bhima-sena hither every day at nightfall.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Then Bhima, expressing his assent to all that Yudhis-thira said, addressed Hidimvā, saying, 'Listen to me, O Rakshasa woman! Truly do make this engagement with thee that I will stay with thee, O thou of slender waist, until thou obtainest a son! Then Hidimvā, saying, 'So be it,' took Bhima upon her body and sped through the skies. On mountain peaks of picturesque scenery and regions sacred to the gods, abouning with dappled herds and echoing with the melodies of feathered tribes, herself assuming the handsomest form decked with every ornament and pouring forth at times mellifluous strains, Hidimvā sported with the Pandava and studied to make him happy. So also in inaccessible regions of forests, and on mountain-breasts overgrown with blossoming trees, on lakes resplendent with lotuses and lilies, islands of rivers and their pebbly banks, on sylvan streams with beautiful banks and mountain currents, in picturesque woods with blossoming trees and creepers, in Himalyan bowers, and various caves, on crystal pools smiling with lotuses, on sea-shores shining with gold and pearls, in beautiful towns and fine gardens, in woods sacred to the gods and on hill-sides, in the regions of the Guhyakas and of ascetics, on the banks of the Manasasarawara abounding with the fruits and flowers of every season, Hidimvā, assuming the handsomest form, sported with Bhima and studied to make him happy. Endued with the speed of the mind, she sported with Bhima in all these regions, till, in time, she conceived and brought forth a mighty son begotten upon her by the Pandava. Of terrible eyes and large mouth and