SECTION CLVI

(Hidimva-vadha Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana said, ’Roused from sleep, those tigers among men, with their mother, beholding the extraordinary beauty of Hidimva, were filled with wonder.  And Kunti, gazing at her with wonder at her beauty, addressed her sweetly and gave her every assurance.  She asked, ’O thou of the splendour of a daughter of the celestials, whose art thou and who art thou?  O thou of the fairest complexion, on what business hast thou come hither and whence hast thou come?  If thou art the deity of these woods or an Apsara, tell me all regarding thyself and also why thou stayest here?’ Thereupon Hidimva replied, ’This extensive forest that thou seest, of the hue of blue cloud, is the abode of a Rakshasa of the name of Hidimva.  O handsome lady, know me as the sister of that chief of the Rakshasa.  Revered dame, I had been sent by that brother of mine to kill thee with all thy children.  But on arriving here at the command of that cruel brother of mine, I beheld thy mighty son.  Then, O blessed lady, I was brought under the control of thy son by the deity of love who pervadeth the nature of every being, and I then (mentally) chose that mighty son of thine as my husband.  I tried my best to convey you hence, but I could not (because of thy son’s opposition).  Then the cannibal, seeing my delay, came hither to kill all these thy children.  But he hath been dragged hence with force by that mighty and intelligent son of thine—­my husband.  Behold now that couple—­man and Rakshasa—­both endued with great strength and prowess, engaged in combat, grinding each other and filling the whole region with their shouts.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Hearing those words of hers, Yudhishthira suddenly rose up and Arjuna also and Nakula and Sahadeva of great energy and they beheld Bhima and the Rakshasa already engaged in fight, eager to overcome each other and dragging each other with great force, like two lions endued with great might.  The dust raised by their feet in consequence of that encounter looked like the smoke of a forest-conflagration.  Covered with that dust their huge bodies resembled two tall cliffs enveloped in mist.  Then Arjuna, beholding Bhima rather oppressed in the fight by the Rakshasa, slowly, said with smiles on his lips, ’Fear not, O Bhima of mighty arms!  We (had been asleep and therefore) knew not that thou wast engaged with a terrible Rakshasa and tired in fight.  Here do I stand to help thee, let me slay the Rakshasa, and let Nakula and Sahadeva protect our mother.’  Hearing him, Bhima said, ’Look on this encounter, O brother, like a stranger.  Fear not for the result.  Having come within the reach of my arms, he shall not escape with life.’  Then Arjuna said, ’What need, O Bhima, for keeping the Rakshasa alive so long?  O oppressor of enemies, we are to go hence, and cannot stay here longer.  The east is reddening, the morning twilight is about to set in.  The Rakshasa became stronger by break of day, therefore, hasten, O Bhima!  Play not (with thy victim), but slay the terrible Rakshasa soon.  During the two twilights Rakshasas always put forth their powers of deception.  Use all the strength of thy arms.