the handsomest form decked with every ornament and pouring forth at times mellifluous strains.  Hidimva sported with the Pandava and studied to make him happy.  So also, in inaccessible regions of forests, and on mountain-breasts overgrown with blossoming trees on lakes resplendent with lotuses and lilies, islands of rivers and their pebbly banks, on sylvan streams with beautiful banks and mountain-currents, in picturesque woods with blossoming trees and creepers in Himalayan bowers, and various caves, on crystal pools smiling with lotuses, on sea-shores shining with gold and pearls, in beautiful towns and fine gardens, in woods sacred to the gods and on hill-sides, in the regions of Guhyakas and ascetics, on the banks of Manasarovara abounding with fruits and flowers of every season Hidimva, assuming the handsomest form, sported with Bhima and studied to make him happy.  Endued with the speed of the mind, she sported with Bhima in all these regions, till in time, she conceived and brought forth a mighty son begotten upon her by the Pandava.  Of terrible eyes and large mouth and straight arrowy ears, the child was terrible to behold.  Of lips brown as copper and sharp teeth and loud roar, of mighty arms and great strength and excessive prowess, this child became a mighty bowman.  Of long nose, broad chest, frightfully swelling calves, celerity of motion and excessive strength, he had nothing human in his countenance, though born of man.  And he excelled (in strength and prowess) all Pisachas and kindred tribes as well as all Rakshasas.  And, O monarch, though a little child, he grew up a youth the very hour he was born.  The mighty hero soon acquired high proficiency in the use of all weapons.  The Rakshasa women bring forth the very day they conceive, and capable of assuming any forms at will, they always change their forms.  And the bald-headed child, that mighty bowman, soon after his birth, bowing down to his mother, touched her feet and the feet also of his father.  His parents then bestowed upon him a name.  His mother having remarked that his head was (bald) like unto a Ghata (water-pot), both his parents thereupon called him Ghatotkacha (the pot-headed).  And Ghatotkacha who was exceedingly devoted to the Pandavas, became a great favourite with them, indeed almost one of them.

“Then Hidimva, knowing that the period of her stay (with her husband) had come to an end, saluted the Pandavas and making a new appointment with them went away whithersoever she liked.  And Ghatotkacha also—­that foremost of Rakshasas—­promising unto his father that he would come when wanted on business, saluted them and went away northward.  Indeed, it was the illustrious Indra who created (by lending a portion of himself) the mighty car-warrior Ghatotkacha as a fit antagonist of Karna of unrivalled energy, in consequence of the dart he had given unto Karna (and which was sure to kill the person against whom it would be hurled).’”

SECTION CLVIII