धृतराष्ट्र उवाच किर्मीरस्य वधं क्षत्तः श्रोतुमिच्छामि कथ्यताम्। रक्षसा भीमसेनस्य कथमासीत् समागमः॥
Dhritarashtra said: O Khattva, I desire to hear (the account) of the destruction of Kirmira. Tell me how the encounter between Bhimasena and the Rakshasa (Kirmira) took place.
विदुर उवाच शृणु भीमस्य कर्मेदमतिमानुषकर्मणः। श्रुतपूर्वं मया तेषां कथान्तेषु पुनः पुनः॥
Vidura said: Hear that feat of Bhimasena of superhuman deeds. I have heard of it in my conversation with them.
इतः प्रयाता राजेन्द्र पाण्डवा द्यूतनिर्जिताः। जग्मुस्त्रिभिरहोरात्रैः काम्यकं नाम तद् वनम्॥
O king of kings, having been defeated at dice, the Pandavas departed from this place. Travelling for three days and three nights, they arrived at a forest, called Kamyaka.
रात्रौ निशीथे त्वाभीले गतेऽर्धसमये नृप। प्रचारे पुरुषादानां रक्षसां घोरकर्मणाम्॥ तद् वनं तापसा नित्यं गोपाश्च वनचारिणः। दूरात् परिहरन्ति स्म पुरुषादभयात् किल॥
O king, after the dreadful hours of midnight were passed and when all nature fell asleep, then man-eating Rakshasass of fearful deeds began to wander. (Therefore) the ascetics, the cowherds and other rangers of forest used to shun that forest for the fear of the cannibals.
तेषां प्रविशतां तत्र मार्गमावृत्य भारत। दीप्ताक्षं भीषणं रक्षः सोल्मुकं प्रत्यपद्यत॥
O descendant of Bharata, as they (the Pandavas) were entering that forest, a fearful Rakshasas with flaming eyes stood before them with a lighted brand and obstructed their path.
बाहू महान्तौ कृत्वा तु तथाऽऽस्यं च भयानकम् स्थितमावृत्य पन्थानं येन यान्ति कुरूद्वहाः॥
With out-stretched arms and terrible face he stood obstructing the way on which those perpetuators of the Kuru race (the Pandavas) were proceeding.
स्पष्टाष्टदंष्ट्रं ताम्राक्षं प्रदीप्तोर्ध्वशिरोरुहम्। सार्करश्मितडिच्चक्रं सबलाकमिवाम्बुदम्॥
With his eight teeth stretching out, with his copper-coloured eyes, with the hair of his head blazing and standing erect, he looked like a mass of clouds, mingled with the rays of the sun, charged with lightning and adorned with a flock of cranes (flying underneath those clouds).
सृजन्तं राक्षसी मायां महानादनिनादितम्। मुञ्चन्तं विपुलान् नादान् सतोयमिव तोयदम्॥
Uttering fearful yells and roaring like clouds charged with rain, he spread the Rakshasas illusion.
तस्य नादेन संत्रस्ताः पक्षिण: सर्वतोदिशम्। विमुक्तनादाः सम्पेतुः स्थलजा जलजैः सह॥
Being terrified by his yells, birds along with other creatures that live on land or in water utterring cries of fear dropped down in all directions.
सम्प्रद्रुतमृगद्वीपिमहिषर्भसमाकुलम्। तद् वनं तस्य नादेन सम्प्रस्थितमिवाभवत्॥
In consequence of the deers, the leopards and the buffaloes and the bears flying in all directions, it appeared as if the forest itself was in motion.
तस्योरूवाताभिहतास्ताम्रपल्लवबाहवः। विदूरजाताश्च लताः समाश्लिष्यन्ति पादपान्॥
Blown by the wind raised by his thighs, creepers growing at a great distance from that place seemed to embrace in alarm the tree of coppery leaves.
तस्मिन् क्षणेऽथ प्रववौ मारुतो भृशदारुणः। रजसा संवृतं तेन नष्टज्योतिरभून्नभः॥
At that time a violent wind began to blow and the sky became darkened with the dust that covered it.
पञ्चानां पाण्डुपुत्राणामविज्ञातो महारिपुः। पञ्चानामिन्द्रियाणां तु शोकावेश इवातुलः॥
As grief is the greatest enemy of the objects of the five senses, so that unknown foe appeared to the five Pandavas.
स दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवान् दूरात् कृष्णाजिनसमावृतान् आवृणोत् तद्वनद्वारं मैनाक इव पर्वतः ॥
Seeing from a distance the Pandavas clad in black deer skin, he obstructed their path through the forest like the Mainaka mountain.
तं समासाद्य वित्रस्ता कृष्णा कमललोचना। अदृष्टपूर्वं संत्रासान्यमीलयत लोचने॥
At the sight of that fearful creature rever seen by her before, the lotus-eyed Krishna (Draupadi), being much terrified, closed her eyes.
दुःशासनकरोत्सृष्टविप्रकीर्णशिरोरुहा। पञ्चपर्वतमप्यस्था नदीवाकुलतां गता॥
She whose hair was dishevelled by the hand of Dushashana stood in the midst of the Pandavas like an agitated river amid five hills.
मोमुह्यमानां तां तत्र जगृहुः पञ्च पाण्डवाः। इन्द्रियाणि प्रसक्तानि विषयेषु यथा रतिम्॥
Seeing her overwhelmed with fear, the five Pandavas supported her, as the (five) senses influenced by desire are supported by the worldly objects.
अथ तां राक्षसी मायामुत्थितां घोरदर्शनाम्। रक्षोनैर्विविधैर्मन्त्रैर्बोम्यः सम्यक्प्रयोजितैः॥ पश्यतां पाण्डुपुत्राणां नाशयामास वीर्यवान्। स नष्टमायोऽतिबलः क्रोधविस्फारितेक्षणः॥ काममूर्तिधरः क्रूरः कालकल्पो व्यदृश्यत। तमुवाच ततो राजा दीर्घप्रज्ञो युधिष्ठिरः॥
(Thereupon) the greatly powerful Dhaumya destroyed in the presence of the sons of Pandu, the fearful Rakshasas illusion by applying various Mantras calculated to destroy the Rakshasass. Seeing his illusion destroyed, that Rakshasas of crooked ways, who was capable of assuming any form at will, expanded his eyes in anger and he appeared like Death himself. Then the greatly intelligent Yudhishthira thus spoke to him.
को भवान् कस्य वा किं ते क्रियता कार्यमुच्यताम्। प्रत्युवाचाथ तद् रक्षोधर्मराज युधिष्ठिरम्॥
“Who and whose are you? Say what we shall do. “That Rakshasas thus replied to Dharmaraja Yudhishthira.
अहं बकस्य वै भ्राता किसर इति विश्रुतः। वनेऽस्मिन् काम्यके शून्ये निवसामि गतज्वरः॥
I am the brother of Baka and I am known by the name of Kirmira. I live in this uninhabited Kamyaka forest in comfort and ease.
युधि निर्जित्य पुरुषानाहारं नित्यमाचरन्। के यूयमभिसम्प्राप्ता भक्ष्यभूता ममान्तिकम्। युधि निर्जित्य वः सर्वान् भक्षयिष्ये गतज्वरः॥
Defeating men in battle I always eat them. Who are you that have come before me as my food? Defeating you all in battle, I shall eat you in comfort.
वैशम्पायन उवाच युधिष्ठिरस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य दुरात्मनः। आचचक्षे ततः सर्वं गोत्रनामादि भारत॥
Vaishampayana said : O descendant of Bharata, having heard the words of that wretch, Yudhishthira told him his name and lineage.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच पाण्डवोधर्मराजोऽहं यदि ते श्रोत्रमागतः। सहितो भ्रातृभिः सर्वैर्भीमसेनार्जुनादिभिः॥ हृतराज्यो वने वासं वस्तुं कृतमतिस्ततः। वनमभ्यागतो घोरमिदं तव परिग्रहम्॥
Yudhishthira said : I am the son of Pandu, Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira); you may have heard of me. Deprived of my kingdom, I with my brothers, Bhima, Arjuna and others have come in my wanderings to this fearful forest which is your dominion. I desire to pass the period of my exile here.
विदुर उवाच किर्मीरस्तवब्रवीदेनं दिष्ट्या देवैरिदं मम। उपपादितमोह चिरकालान्मनोगतम्॥ भीमसेनवधार्थं हि नित्यमभ्युद्यतायुधः। चराम पृथिवीं कृत्स्नां नैनं चासादयाम्यहम्॥
Vidura said: Kirmira replied, “By good luck, Fate has accomplished today my long cherished desire. With weapons upraised, I have been continually wandering over the earth with the object of killing Bhima. But I did not find him.
सोऽयमासादितो दिष्ट्या भ्रातृहा काक्षितश्चिरम् अनेन हि मम भ्राता बको विनिहतः प्रियः॥ वैत्रकीयवने राजन् ब्राह्मणच्छद्मरूपिणा। विद्याबलमुपाश्रित्य न ह्यस्त्यस्यौरसं बलम्॥
By good luck that slayer of my brother (Baka) whom I have been seeking so long has come before me. O king, it is he who, in the disguise of a Brahmana, killed my beloved brother Baka in the Vetrakeja forest. Through his knowledge of skill only. He has no strength of arms.
हिडिम्बश्च सखा मह्यं दयितो वनगोचरः। हतो दुरात्मनानेन स्वसा चास्य हृता पुरा॥
My friend Hidimba, who lived in the forest. Was forinerly killed by this wretch; and he then took possession of his sister.
सोऽयमभ्यागतो मूढो ममेदं गहनं वनम्। प्रचारसमयेऽस्माकमर्धरात्रे स्थिते स मे॥
That fool has now come to my this deep forest. At a time when the night is half-spent and when we wander about.
अद्यास्य यातयिष्यामि तद् वैरं चिरसम्भृतम्। तर्पयिष्यामि च बकं रुधिरेणास्य भूरिणा॥
I shall today kill him; and (I shall now) wreak my vengeance on my old enemy. I shall gratify (the manes) of Baka with plentiful blood of his (body).
अद्याहमनृणो भूत्वा भ्रातुः सख्युस्तथैव च। शान्तिं लब्धास्मि परमां हत्वा राक्षसकण्टकम्॥
I shall today be freed from my debts which I owe to my friend and brother. I shall obtain great peace by killing today this enemy of the Rakshasas.
यदि तेन पुरा मुक्तो भीमसेनो बकेन वै। अद्यैनं भक्षयिष्यामि पश्यतस्ते युधिष्ठिर॥
If Bhima was formerly allowed to escape from the hands of Baka. O Yudhishthira, I shall today devour him in your presence.
एनं हि विपुलप्राणमद्य हत्वा वृकोदरम्। सम्भक्ष्य जरयिष्यामि यथागस्त्यो महासुरम्॥
Killing this huge bodied Vrikodara (Bhima) today. I shall eat him up and digest him as Agasta did the great Asura (Vatapi).
एवमुक्तस्तुधर्मात्मा सत्यसंधो युधिष्ठिरः। नैतदस्तीति सक्रोधो भर्त्सयामास राक्षसम्॥
Having been thus addressed, the virtuousminded and stead-fast in his pledges, Yudhishthira, saying “It cannot be," rebuked the Rakshasas in anger.
ततो भीमो महाबाहुरारुज्य तरसा दुमम्। दशव्याममथोद्विद्धं निष्पत्रमकरोत् तदा॥
Thereupon the mighty armed Bhima soon tore up a tree. Of the length of ten Vyamas and stripped it of its leaves.
चकार सज्यं गाण्डीवं वज्रनिष्पेषगौरवम्। निमेषान्तरमात्रेण तथैव विजयोऽर्जुनः॥
Within a twinkle of an eye the ever victorious Arjuna stringed the Gandiva (bow) of the force of the thunder.
निवार्य भीमो जिष्णुं तं तद् रक्षो मेघनि:स्वनम्। अभिद्रुत्याब्रवीद् वाक्यं तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति भारत॥
Making Vishnu (Arjuna) desist, Bhima said to that Rakshasas in a voice as that of the roaring louds “Stay, Stay."
इत्युक्त्वैनमतिक्रुद्धः कक्ष्यामुत्पीड्य पाण्डवः। निष्पिष्य पाणिना पाणिं संदष्टौष्ठपुटो बली॥ तमभ्यधावद् वेगेन भीमो वृक्षायुधस्तदा। यमदण्डप्रतीकाशं ततस्तं तस्य मूर्धनि॥ पातयामास वेगेन कुलिशं मघवानिव। असम्भ्रान्तं तु तद् रक्षः समरे प्रत्यदृश्यत॥
Saying this, the Pandava Bhima tightened the cloth round his waist in anger. Rubbing his palms and biting his nether lips, the heroic Bhima, armed with the tree, rushed towards him. As Maghavata (Indra) hurls his thunderbolt, so he (Bhima) made it (the tree), which was like the mace of Yama, descend with force on his (Kirmira's) head. The Rakshasas was seen to stand in the battle unmoved.
चिक्षेप चोल्मुकं दीप्तमशनिं ज्वलितामिव। तदुदस्तमलातं तु भीमः प्रहरतां वरः॥ पदा सव्येन चिक्षेप तद् रक्षः पुनराव्रजत्। किर्मीरश्चापि सहसा वृक्षमुत्पाट्य पाण्डवम्॥ दण्डपाणिरिव क्रुद्धः समरे प्रत्यधावत। तद् वृक्षयुद्धमभवन्महीरुहविनाशनम्॥ वालिसुग्रीवयोर्धात्रोर्यथा स्त्रीकाक्षिणोः पुरा।
He hurled his lighted brand (at Bhima) which was as flaming as the lightning. But that foremost of all warriors (Bhima) turned it off with his left foot and it then went back towards Rakshasas. Kirmira also, suddenly tearing up a tree, himself angrily rushed to fight with the Pandava (Bhima) like mace bearing Yama. That battle, so destructive to the trees, looked like that of the old one which was fought for the sake of a woman between Bali and Sugriva.
शीर्षयोः पतिता वृक्षा बिभिदु:कधा तयोः॥ यथैवौत्पलपत्राणि मत्तयोर्द्विपयोस्तथा।
The trees, struck at the heads (of the two combatants), were broken into minute pieces, like lotus-stalks thrown on the temples of mad elephants.
मुञ्जवज्जर्जरीभूता बहवस्तत्र पादपाः॥ चीराणीव व्युदस्तानि रेजुस्तत्र महावने। तद् वृक्षयुद्धमभवन्मुहूर्तं भरतर्षभ। राक्षसानां च मुख्यस्य नराणामुत्तमस्य च॥
In that great forest innumerable trees, crushed like reeds, lay scattered like rags. O best of the Bharata race, that fight with trees between that foremost of Rakshasass (Kirmira) and that best of men (Bhima) lasted but for a moment.
ततः शिलां समुक्षिप्य भीमस्य युधि तिष्ठतः। प्राहिणोद् राक्षसः क्रुद्धो भीमश्च न चचाल ह॥
Thereupon the angry Rakshasas hurled a stone at Bhima standing in the fight, but Bhima did not waver.
तं शिलाताडनजडं पर्यधावत राक्षसः। बाहुविक्षिप्तकिरणः स्वर्भानुरिव भास्करम्॥
Thereupon as Rahu goes to devour the sun, shadowing his rays with out-stretched arms, so did the Rakshasas rush upon Bhima who had remained firm under the blow that was inflicted by the (Rakshasass) with the stone.
तावन्योन्यं समाश्लिष्य प्रकर्षन्तौ परस्परम्। उभावपि चकाशेते प्रवृद्धौ वृषभाविव॥
Grappling and dragging each other in various ways, they appeared like two infuriated bulls struggling with each other.
तयोरासीत् सुतुमुलः सम्प्रहारः सुदारुणः। नखदंष्ट्रायुधवतोर्व्याघ्रयोरिव दृप्तयोः॥
Or like two mighty tigers armed with teeth and claws. The fight between them was fierce and hard.
दुर्योधननिकाराच्च बाहुवीर्याच्च दर्पितः। कृष्णानयनदृष्टश्च व्यवर्धत वृकोदरः॥
Vrikodara (Bhima), being proud of his strength of arms and conscious of Krishna's (Draupadi's) looking at him and remembering their disgrace at the hand of Duryodhana, began to swell in vigour.
अभिपद्य च बाहुभ्यां प्रत्यगृहणादमर्षितः। मातङ्गमिव मातङ्गः प्रभिन्नकरटामुखम्॥ स चाप्येनं ततो रक्षः प्रतिजग्राह वीर्यवान्। तमाक्षिपद् भीमसेनो बलेन बलिनां वरः॥
Inflamed with wrath, Bhima seized the Rakshasas by his arms as one elephant in rut seizes another. The mighty Rakshasas also in his turn seized his adversary, but that foremost of all warriors Bhimasena threw the cannibal down with violence.
तयोर्भुजविनिष्पेषादुभयोर्बलिनोस्तदा। शब्दः समभवद् घोरो वेणुस्फोटसमो युधि॥ अथैनमाक्षिप्य बलाद् गृह्य मध्ये वृकोदरः। धूनयामास वेगेन वायुश्चण्ड इव दुमम्॥
The sounds that rose from those mighty combatants pressing each others hands were fearful. They resembled the sounds of splittering bamboo's. Hurling the Rakshasas down. Vrikodar seized him forcibly by the waist and he then began to shake him, as trees are shaken by the wind.
स भीमेन परामृष्टो दुर्बलो बलिना रणे। व्यस्पन्दत यथाप्राणं विचकर्ष च पाण्डवम्॥
Having been thus seized by the mighty Bhima, he became weakened in the fight with that strong man. But thus being shaken he still pressed the Pandava (Bhima) with all his strength.
तत एनं परिश्रान्तमुपलक्ष्य वृकोदरः। योक्त्रयामास बाहुभ्यां पशुं रशनया यथा॥
Finding him (the Rakshasas) fatigued, Vrikodara (Bhima) twined his own arm round the body of the enemy, as one binds a beast with a cord.
विनदन्तं महानादं भिन्नभेरीस्वनं बली। भ्रामयामास सुचिरं विस्फुरन्तमचेतसम्॥
The monster then roared fearfully like a trumpet out of order. But the hero (Bhima) whirled him for a long time, till he became insensible.
तं विषीदन्तमाज्ञाय राक्षसं पाण्डुनन्दनः। प्रगृह्य तरसा दो• पशुमारममारयत्॥
Finding the Rakshasas exhausted the son of Pandu, (Bhima) took him up on his arms without loss of time and he then killed him like a beast.
आक्रम्य च कटीदेशे जानुना राक्षसाधमम्। पीडयामास पाणिभ्यां कण्ठं तस्य वृकोदरः॥
Placing his knees on the breast of that wretch of Rakshasass and seizing his throat, Vrikodara (Bhima) began to press his neck.
अथ जर्जरसर्वाङ्गं व्यावृत्तनयनोल्वणम्। भूतले भ्रामयामास वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह॥
Then dragging along on the earth the bruised body of the Rakshasas whose eye-lids were about to close, Bhima spoke thus.
हिडिम्बबकयोः पाप न त्वमश्रुप्रमार्जनम्। करिष्यसि गतश्चापि यमस्य सदनं प्रति॥
“O sinful wretch, you will no more have to wine away the tears of Hidimba and Baka, for you too are going to the abode of Yama.”
स्तं राक्षसं क्रोधपरीतचेताः। मुद्घान्तचित्तं व्यसुमुत्ससज॥
Having said this and seeing the Rakshasas destitute of clothes and ornaments and insensible, that foremost of men, his heart filled with wrath left him dead.
तस्मिन् हते तोयदतुल्यरूपे कृष्णां पुरस्कृत्य नरेन्द्रपुत्राः। भीमं प्रशरयाथ गुणैरनेकैहृष्टास्ततो द्वैतवनाय जग्मुः॥
When that cloud-coloured Rakshasas was killed, the son of the great king (Pandu i.e. Yudhishthira) praised Bhima for his many qualities. And then placing Krishna (Draupadi) in their front, they set out for the forest of Daitya.
विदुर उवाच एवं विनिहतः संख्ये किर्मीरो मनुजाधिप। भीमेन वचनात् तस्यधर्मराजस्य कौरव॥
O ruler of men, O descendant of Kuru, it was thus that Kirmira was killed by Bhima at the command of Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira).
ततो निष्कण्टकं कृत्वा वनं तदपराजितः। द्रौपद्या सहधर्मज्ञो वसतिं तामुवास ह॥
Having made the forest free from its pest, the invincible and virtuous man (Yudhishthira) lived with Draupadi there in their abode.
समाश्वास्य च ते सर्वे द्रौपदीं भरतर्षभाः। प्रहृष्टमनसः प्रीत्या प्रशशंसुर्वृकोदरम्॥
Comforting Draupadi, those foremost of heroes of the Bharata race with glad hearts praised Vrikodara cheerfully.
भीमबाहुबलोत्पिष्टे विनष्टे राक्षसे ततः। विविशुस्ते वनं वीराः क्षेमं निहतकण्टकम्॥
After the Rakshasas had been killed by the strength of arms of Bhima, the heroes. (the Pandavas) entered that peaceful forest (now) being free from its pest.
स मया गच्छता मार्गे विनिकीर्णो भयावहः। वने महति दुष्टात्मा दृष्टो भीमबलाद्धतः॥
Passing through that great forest, I saw the body of the wicked and fearful Rakshasas lying killed by Bhima's prowess.
तत्राश्रौषमहं चैतत् कर्म भीमस्य भारत। ब्राह्मणानां कथयतां ये तत्रासन् समागताः॥
O descendant of Bharata, I heard there (in the forest) of this great deed of Bhima from the Brahmanas who had assembled there (round the Pandavas).
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवं विनिहतं संख्ये किर्मीरं रक्षसां वरम्। श्रुत्वाध्यानपरो राजा निशश्वासार्तवत् तदा॥
Vaishampayana said : Having thus heard of the account of the destruction of that foremost of Rakshasas, Kirinira, the king (Dhritarashtra) sighed in sorrow and became absorbed in thought.