Mahabharata (English)

by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | 2,566,952 words | ISBN-10: 8121505933

The English translation of the Mahabharata is a large text describing ancient India. It is authored by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa and contains the records of ancient humans. Also, it documents the fate of the Kauravas and the Pandavas family. Another part of the large contents, deal with many philosophical dialogues such as the goals of life. Book...

Section CLVI

"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 you of the splendour of a daughter of the celestials, whose art you and who art you?

O you of the fairest complexion, on what business hast you come hither and whence hast you come?

If you are the deity of these woods or an Apsara, tell me all regarding thyself and also why you stayest here?'

Thereupon Hidimva replied,

'This extensive forest that you 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 you with all your children. But on arriving here at the command of that cruel brother of mine, I beheld your mighty son.

Then, O blessed lady, I was brought under the control of your son by the deity of love who pervades 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 your son’s opposition).

Then the cannibal, seeing my delay, came hither to kill all these your children. But he has 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 you wast engaged with a terrible Rakshasa and tired in fight.

Here do I stand to help you, 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 your victim), but slay the terrible Rakshasa soon. During the two twilights Rakshasas always put forth their powers of deception.

Use all the strength of your arms.

"Vaisampayana continued, 'At this speech of Arjuna, Bhima blazing up with anger, summoned the might that Vayu (his father) puts forth at the time of the universal dissolution. And filled with rage, he quickly raised high in the air the Rakshasa’s body, blue as the clouds of heaven, and whirled it a hundred times.

Then addressing the cannibal, Bhima said,

'O Rakshasa, your intelligence was given you in vain, and in vain hast you grown and thriven on unsanctified flesh.

You deserves, therefore, an unholy death and I shall reduce you today to nothing. I shall make this forest blessed today, like one without prickly plants.

And, O Rakshasa, you shalt no longer slay human beings for your food.'

Arjuna at this juncture, said,

'O Bhima, if you think it a hard task for you to overcome this Rakshasa in combat, let me render you help, else, slay him thyself without loss of time. Or, O Vrikodara, let me alone slay the Rakshasa.

You are tired, and hast almost finished the affair. Well dost you deserve rest.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Arjuna, Bhima was fired with rage and dashing the Rakshasa on the ground with all his might slew him as if he were an animal. The Rakshasa, while dying, sent forth a terrible yell that filled the whole forest, and was deep as the sound of a wet drum.

Then the mighty Bhima, holding the body with his hands, bent it double, and breaking it in the middle, greatly gratified his brothers. Beholding Hidimva slain, they became exceedingly glad and lost no time in offering their congratulations to Bhima, that chastiser of all foes.

Then Arjuna worshipping the illustrious Bhima of terrible prowess, addressed him again and said,

'Revered senior, I think there is a town not far off from this forest.
Blest be you, let us go hence soon, so that Duryodhana may not trace us.'

"Then all those mighty car-warriors, those tigers among men, saying, ’so be it,' proceeded along with their mother, followed by Hidimva, the Rakshasa woman.'"

Conclusion:

This concludes Section CLVI of Book 1 (Adi Parva) of the Mahabharata, of which an English translation is presented on this page. This book is famous as one of the Itihasa, similair in content to the eighteen Puranas. Book 1 is one of the eighteen books comprising roughly 100,000 Sanskrit metrical verses.

FAQ (frequently asked questions):

Which keywords occur in Section CLVI of Book 1 of the Mahabharata?

The most relevant definitions are: Rakshasa, Bhima, Arjuna, Vaisampayana, Nakula, Sahadeva; since these occur the most in Book 1, Section CLVI. There are a total of 13 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 54 times.

What is the name of the Parva containing Section CLVI of Book 1?

Section CLVI is part of the Hidimva-vadha Parva which itself is a sub-section of Book 1 (Adi Parva). The Hidimva-vadha Parva contains a total of 5 sections while Book 1 contains a total of 19 such Parvas.

Can I buy a print edition of Section CLVI as contained in Book 1?

Yes! The print edition of the Mahabharata contains the English translation of Section CLVI of Book 1 and can be bought on the main page. The author is Kisari Mohan Ganguli and the latest edition (including Section CLVI) is from 2012.

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