Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/494

they became great favorites of the inhabitants of that town in consequence of their own accomplishments. At nightfall they placed before Kunti all they acquired in their mendicant tours. And Kunti used to divide the whole amongst them, each taking what was alloted to him. And those heroic chastisers of all foes along with their mother together took one moiety of the whole, while the mighty Bhima alone took the other moiety. In this way, O thou bull of the Bharata race, the illustrious Pandavas lived there for sometime.

One day while those bulls of the Bharata race were out on their tour of mendicancy, it so happened that Bhima was (at home) with (his mother) Prithā. That day, O Bharata, Kunti heard a loud and heart-rending wait of sorrow coming from within the apartments of the Brahmana. And hearing the inmates of the Brahmana's house wailing and indulging in piteous lamentations, Kunti, O king, from compassion and the goodness of her heart, could not bear it with indifference. Afflicted with sorrow, the amiable Prithā addressing Bhima said these words full of compassion:—Our woes assuaged, we are, O son, living happily in the house of this Brahmana respected by him and unknown to Dhrita-rashtra's sons! O son, I always think of the good I should do to this Brahmana, like what they do that live happily in others' abodes! O child, he is a true man upon whom favors are never lost. He payeth back to others more than what he receiveth at their hands. There is no doubt some affliction hath overtaken this Brahmana. If we could be of help to him we would then be requiting his services.'

"Hearing these words of his mother, Bhima said, 'Ascertain, O mother, the nature of the Brahmana's distress and whence also hath it arisen. Learning all about it, relieve it I will however difficult may the task prove.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "While mother and son were thus talking with each other, they heard again, O king, another wail of sorrow proceeding from the Brahmana and his wife. Then Kunti quickly entered the inner apartments of that illustrious Brahmana, like unto a cow running towards