bounded over the ocean?  I ask thee, O best of men.  Relate if thou canst.’  Bhima replied, ’He is even my brother, excellent with every perfection, and endued with intelligence and strength both of mind and body.  And he is the illustrious chief of monkeys, renowned in the Ramayana.  And for Rama’s queen, that king of the monkeys even with one leap crossed the ocean extending over a hundred yojanas.  That mighty one is my brother.  I am equal unto him in energy, strength and prowess and also in fight.  And able am I to punish thee.  So arise.  Either give me passage or witness my prowess to-day.  If thou do not listen to my bidding, I shall send thee to the abode of Yama.’”

Vaisampayana continued.  “Then knowing him (Bhima) to be intoxicated with strength, and proud of the might of his arms, Hanuman, slighting him at heart, said the following words, ’Relent thou, O sinless one.  In consequence of age, I have no strength to get up.  From pity for me, do thou go, moving aside my tail.’  Being thus addressed by Hanuman, Bhima proud of the strength of his arms, took him for one wanting in energy and prowess, and thought within himself, ’Taking fast hold of the tail, will I send this monkey destitute of energy and prowess, to the region of Yama.’  Thereat, with a smile he slightingly took hold of the tail with his left hand; but could not move that tail of the mighty monkey.  Then with both arms he pulled it, resembling the pole reared in honour of Indra.  Still the mighty Bhima could not raise the tail with both his arms.  And his eye-brows were contracted up, and his eyes rolled, and his face was contracted into wrinkles and his body was covered with sweat; and yet he could not raise it.  And when after having striven, the illustrious Bhima failed in raising the tail, he approached the side of the monkey, and stood with a bashful countenance.  And bowing down, Kunti’s son, with joined hands, spake these words, ’Relent thou, O foremost of monkeys; and forgive me for my harsh words.  Art thou a Siddha, or a god, or a Gandharva, or a Guhyaka?  I ask thee out of curiosity.  Tell me who thou art that hast assumed the shape of monkey, if it be not a secret, O long-armed one, and if I can well hear it.  I ask thee as a disciple, and I, O sinless one, seek thy refuge.’  Thereupon Hanuman said, ’O represser of foes, even to the extent of thy curiosity to know me, shall I relate all at length.  Listen, O son of Pandu!  O lotus-eyed one, I was begotten by the windgod that life of the world—­upon the wife of Kesari.  I am a monkey, by name Hanuman.  All the mighty monkey-kings, and monkey-chiefs used to wait upon that son of the sun, Sugriva, and that son of Sakra, Vali.  And, O represser of foes, a friendship subsisted between me and Sugriva, even as between the wind and fire.  And for some cause, Sugriva, driven out by his brother, for a long time dwelt with me at the Hri-syamukh.  And it came to pass that the mighty son of Dasaratha the heroic