“Vaisampayana continued, ’Then Hidimva reverentially saluting Kunti and her son Yudhishthira also, said, with joined palms, ’O revered lady, thou knowest the pangs that women are made to feel at the hands of the deity of love.  Blessed dame, these pangs, of which Bhimasena hath been the cause, are torturing me.  I had hitherto borne these insufferable pangs, waiting for the time (when thy son could assuage them).  That time is now come, when I expected I would be made happy.  Casting off my friends and relations and the usage of my race, I have, O blessed lady, chosen this son of thine, this tiger among men, as my husband.  I tell thee truly, O illustrious lady, that if I am cast off by that hero or by thee either, I will no longer bear this life of mine.  Therefore, O thou of the fairest complexion, it behoveth thee to show me mercy, thinking me either as very silly or thy obedient slave.  O illustrious dame, unite me with this thy son, my husband.  Endued as he is with the form of a celestial, let me go taking him with me wherever I like.  Trust me, O blessed lady, I will again bring him back unto you all.  When you think of me I will come to you immediately and convey you whithersoever ye may command.  I will rescue you from all dangers and carry you across inaccessible and uneven regions.  I will carry you on my back whenever ye desire to proceed with swiftness.  O, be gracious unto me and make Bhima accept me.  It hath been said that in a season of distress one should protect one’s life by any means.  He, that seeketh to discharge that duty should not scruple about the means.  He, that in a season of distress keepeth his virtue, is the foremost of virtuous men.  Indeed, distress is the greatest danger to virtue and virtuous men.  It is virtue that protecteth life; therefore is virtue called the giver of life.  Hence the means by which virtue or the observance of a duty is secured can never be censurable.’

“Hearing these words of Hidimva, Yudhishthira said.  ’It is even so, O Hidimva, 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 that art endued with the speed of the mind!  But thou must bring back Bhimasena hither every day at nightfall.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Then Bhima, expressing his assent to all that Yudhishthira said, addressed Hidimva, saying, ’Listen to me, O Rakshasa woman!  Truly do I make this engagement with thee that I will stay with thee, O thou of slender waist, until thou obtainest a son.’  Then Hidimva, saying, ‘So be it,’ took Bhima upon her body and sped through the sides.  On mountain peaks of picturesque scenery and regions sacred to the gods, abounding with dappled herds and echoing with the melodies of feathered tribes, herself assuming