Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/506

becometh popular in the whole world. One of the kingly tribe should protect even the Sudra who cometh to him for protection. If he doth so, in his next life he receiveth his brith in a royal line commanding prosperity and the respect of other kings. O scion of the Puru race, the illustrious Vyasa of wisdom acquired by hard ascetic toil had told me so in days gone by. It is, therefore, that I have resolved upon accomplishing this!'"

Thus ends the hundred and sixy-fourth Section in the Vaka-badha of the Adi Parva.

"Hearing these words of his mother, Yudhish-t hira said, 'That which thou, O mother, hast deliberately done, moved by compassion for the afflicted Brahmana, is, indeed, excellent! Bhima will certainly come back with life, after having slain the cannibal, inasmuch as thou art, O mother, always compassionate unto Brahmanas! But tell thou the Brahmana; O mother, that he doth not anything whereby the dwellers of this town may know all about it, and O make him promise to obey thy request!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Then when the night passed away, Bhima-sena the son of Pandu taking with him the Rakshasa's food set out for the place where the cannibal lived. And the mighty son of Pandu approaching the forest where the Rakshasa dwelt, began to eat himself the food he carried, calling loudly the Rakshasa by his name. And the Rakshasa, inflamed with anger at Bhima's words, came out and approached the place where Bhima was. Of huge body and great strength, red eyes, red beard, and read hair, he was terrible to behold. And he came pressing deep the earth with his tread. The opening of his mouth was from ear to ear, and his ears themselves were straight as arrows. Of grim visage, his forehead was furrowed into three lines. Beholding Bhima eating his food, the Rakshasa advanced, biting his nether lip and expanding his eyes in wrath. And addressing Bhima he said, 'Who is this fool, who desiring to go to the abode of