वैशम्पायन उवाच ततस्तान् परिविश्वस्तान् वसतस्तत्र पाण्डवान्। पर्वतेन्द्रे द्विजैः सार्धं पार्थागमनकाझ्या॥
Vaishampayana said : When the Pandavas had grown confident of living on that king of mountains, with the Brahmanas in expectation of the return of Partha (Arjuna).
गतेषु तेषु रक्षःसु भीमसेनात्मजेऽपि च। रहितान् भीमसेनेन कदाचित् तान् यदृच्छया।॥
And when those Rakshasas had all gone away as well as the son of Bhimasena (Ghatotkacha) and when Bhima had gone away to rove (on the mountain) at pleasure,
जहारधर्मराजानं यमौ कृष्णां च राक्षसः। ब्राह्मणो मन्त्रकुशलः सर्वशास्त्रविदुत्तमः॥
A certain Rakshasa carried away Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira), the twins and also Krishna (Draupadi).
इति ब्रुवन् पाण्डवेयान् पर्युपास्ते स्म नित्यदा। परीप्समानः पार्थानां कलापानिधनूंषि च॥ अन्तर सम्परिप्रेप्सुयॊपद्या हरणं प्रति। दुष्टात्मा पापबुद्धिः स नाम्ना ख्यातो जटासुरः॥
Alleging that he was a Brahmana wellskilled in counsel and learned in all the Shastras, he always lived with the Pandavas with the intention of possessing their bows, quivers and other weapons. He had been watching an opportunity to steal away Draupadi. That wicked and sinful wretch was known by the name of Jatasura.
पोषणं तस्य राजेन्द्र चक्रे पाण्डवनन्दनः। बुबुधे न च तं पापं भस्मच्छन्नमिवानलम्॥
O king of kings, the son of Pandu (Yudhishthira) was supporting him; he could not recognise that wretch who was like the fire covered with ashes.
स भीमसेने निष्क्रान्ते मृगयार्थमरिन्दम। घटोत्कचं सानुचरं दृष्ट्वा विप्रद्रुतं दिशः॥
When that chastiser of foes, Bhimasena, went out hunting and when he (Jatasura) saw that Ghatotkacha and his followers were scattered in all directions,
लोमशप्रभृतींस्तांस्तु महर्षीच समाहितान्। स्नातुं विनिर्गतान् दृष्ट्वा पुष्पार्थं च तपोधनान्॥
And when he saw that the self-controlled great Rishis and ascetics, Lomasha and others, had gone to bathe or to collect flowers,
रूपमन्यत् समास्थाय विकृतं भैरवं महत्। गृहीत्वा सर्वशस्त्राणि द्रौपदी परिगृह्य च॥
He (Jatasura) assumed a different form, monstrous, fearful and huge. Having secured all the weapons and taken up Draupadi,
प्रातिष्ठत स दुष्टात्मा त्रीन् गृहीत्वा च पाण्डवान्। सहदेवस्तु यत्नेन ततोऽपक्रम्य पाण्डवः॥
And also having taken the Pandavas that wicked-minded wretch fled away. The Pandava Sahadeva extricated himself (from the grasp of the Rakshasa) with great efforts.
विक्रम्य कौशिकं खङ्गं मोक्षयित्वा ग्रहं रिपोः। आक्रन्दद् भीमसेनं वै येन यातो महाबलः॥
He snatched by force the sword named Kaushika from the hand of the enemy and loudly calling Bhimasena went in the direction that mighty Rakshasa had gone.
तमब्रवीद्धर्मराजो ह्रियमाणो युधिष्ठिरः। धर्मस्ते हीयते मूढ न तत्त्वं समवेक्षसे॥
Having been thus stolen (by the Rakshasa), Dharmaraja Yudhishthira thus spoke to him, "O fool virtue decreases in you; you do not look to it.
येऽन्ये क्वचिन्मनुष्येषु तिर्यग्योनिगताश्च ये। धर्मं ते समवेक्षन्ते रक्षांसि च विशेषतः॥
Whether belonging to the human race or to the lower order of creatures, all pay regard to virtue, more specially the Rakshasa.
धर्मस्य राक्षसा मूलंधर्मं ते विदुरुत्तमम्। एतत् परीक्ष्य सर्वं त्वं समीपे स्थातुमर्हसि॥
Rakshasas are the root of all virtues. In the beginning they knew virtue better than others. Having considered all this, you should have adhered to virtue.
देवाश्च ऋषयः सिद्धाः पितरश्चापि राक्षस। गन्धर्वोरगरक्षांसि वयांसि पशवस्तथा॥ तिर्यग्योनिगताचैव अपि कीटपिपीलिकाः। मनुष्यानुपजीवन्ति ततस्त्वमपि जीवसि॥
O Rakshasa, the celestials, the Pitris, the Siddhas, the Rishis, the Gandharvas, the animals, even worms and ants, depend on men for their lives; you too also live (depending on men).
समृद्ध्या ह्यस्य लोकस्य लोको युष्माकमध्यति। इमं च लोकं शोचन्तमनुशोचन्ति देवताः॥
If prosperity attends the human race, your (Rakshasa) race will also be prosperous. If calamity falls on men, even the celestials thereby suffer grief.
पूज्यमानाश्च वर्धन्ते हव्यकव्यैर्यथाविधि। वयं राष्ट्रस्य गोप्तारो रक्षितारश्च राक्षस॥
Being gratified by offerings (offered by men) the celestials prosper. O Rakshasa, we are the guardians, governors and protectors of kingdoms.
राष्ट्रस्यारक्ष्यमाणस्य कुतो भूतिः कुतः सुखम्। न च राजावमन्तव्यो राक्षसा जात्वनागसि॥
If kingdoms become unprotected, how can prosperity and happiness be produced? unless an offence is given, no Rakshasa should commit any oppression on a king.
अणुरप्यपचारश्च नास्त्यस्माकं नराशन। विघसाशान् यथाशक्त्या कुर्महे देवतादिषु॥
O cannibal, we have never committed the least wrong. Living on Vegasha we serve the celestials and other to the best of our power.
गुरूंश्च ब्राह्मणांश्चैव प्रणामप्रवणा: सदा। द्रोग्धव्यं न च मित्रेषु न विश्वस्तेषु कर्हिचित्॥ येषां चान्नानि भुञ्जीत यत्र च स्यात् प्रतिश्रयः। स त्वं प्रतिश्रयेऽस्माकं पूज्यमानः सुखोषितः॥
We are ever intent on bowing down to our superiors and the Brahmanas. A friend, a confiding man, he whose food has been partaken and he who has given shelter should never be injured; you have happily lived in our place and you were duly honoured by us.
भुक्त्वा चान्नानि दुष्प्रज्ञ कथमस्मान् जिहीर्षसि। एवमेव वृथाचारो वृथावृद्धो वृथामतिः॥
O wicked wretch, having partaken of our food how can you steal us away? As your acts are improper, as you have in vain become old and as your propensities are bad,
वृथामरणमर्हश्च वृथाद्य न भविष्यसि। अथ चेद् दुष्टबुद्धिस्त्वं सर्वैर्धर्विवर्जितः॥
So do you deserve to die for nothing; and for nothing will your (surely) die today. If you are really evil-disposed and devoid of all virtue,
प्रदाय शस्त्राण्यस्माकं युद्धेन द्रौपदी हर। अथ चेत् त्वमविज्ञानादिदं कर्म करिष्यसि॥ अधर्मं चाप्यकीर्ति च लोके प्राप्स्यसि केवलम्। एतामद्य परामृश्य स्त्रियं राक्षस मानुषीम्॥ विषमेतत् समालोड्य कुम्भेन प्राशितं त्वया। ततो युधिष्ठिरस्तस्य गुरुकः समपद्यत॥
Give us back our weapons, carry away Draupadi after a fight. But if through your folly you must do this, then you will get only demerit and infamy in the world. O Rakshasa, by doing violence to this lady of the human race, you have as if drunk poison after having shaken the vessel.” Thereupon Yudhishthira grew heavy to the Rakshasa.
स तु भाराभिभूतात्मा न तथा शीघ्रगोऽभवत्। अथाब्रवीद् द्रौपदी च नकुलं च युधिष्ठिरः॥
Being thus oppressed with the weight, he (the Rakshasa) could not go fast as before. Then Yudhishthira thus spoke to Draupadi and Nakula.
मा भैष्ट राक्षसान्मूढाद् गतिरस्य मया हृता। नातिदूरे महाबाहुर्भविता पवनात्मजः॥
"Don't be afraid of this wicked Rakshasa; I have checked his speed. The mighty-armed son of Vayu (Bhima) is not far away.
अस्मिन् मुहूर्ते सम्प्राप्ते न भविष्यति राक्षसः। सहदेवस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसं मूढचेतनम्॥
On Bhima coming up at the next moment, the Rakshasa will not live." Seeing the Rakshasa deprived of all (good) sense, Sahadeva,
उवाच वचनं राजन् कुन्तीपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्। राजन् किंनाम सत्कृत्यं क्षत्रियस्यास्त्यतोऽधिकम्॥
O king, spoke thus to the son of Kunti, Yudhishthira, "What can be more meritorious for a Kshatriya.
यद् युद्धेऽभिमुखः प्राणांस्त्यजेच्छठे जयेत वा। एष चास्मान् वयं चैनं युद्ध्यमानाः परंतप॥
Than to fall in the field of battle or to defeat a foe. O chastiser of foes, we shall fight; and either he will kill us or we will kill him.
सूदयेम महाबाहो देशकालो ह्ययं नृप। क्षत्रधर्मस्य सम्प्राप्तः कालः सत्यपराक्रमः॥
O mighty-armed king, O hero of great prowess, this is the (proper) time and place which has come to display our Kshatriya prowess.
जयन्तो हन्यमाना वा प्राप्तुमर्हाम सद्गतिम्। राक्षसे जीवमानेऽद्य रविरस्तमियाद् यदि॥
We should gain the blessed state, either by defeating the foe or by being killed by him. If the sun sets today and the Rakshasa remains alive.
नाहं ब्रूयां पुनर्जातु क्षत्रियोऽस्मीति भारत। भो भो राक्षस तिष्ठस्व सहदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवः॥
O descendant of Bharata, I will not then any more say that I am a Kshatriya. Ho, Ho, Rakshasa, stay, I am the son of Pandu, Sahadeva.
हत्वा वा मां नयस्वैनां हतो वाद्येह स्वप्स्यसि। तदा ब्रुवति माद्रेये भीमसेनो यदृच्छया।॥
Either after having killed me today, carry this lady away or being killed by me, lie senseless here. When the son of Madri (Sahadeva) was thus speaking, Bhimasena, roaring at pleasure,
प्रत्यदृश्यद् गदाहस्तः सवज्र इव वासवः। सोऽपश्यद् भ्रातरौ तत्र द्रौपदी च यशस्विनीम्॥
Came there with the mace in his hand like a secord Vasava (Indra) wielding the thunderbolt. He saw there his brothers and the illustrious Draupadi.
क्षितिस्थं सहदेवं च क्षिपन्तं राक्षसं तदा। मार्गाच्च राक्षसं मूढं कालोपहतचेतसम्॥
And also Sahadeva who was rebuking the Rakshasa and also that foolish Rakshasa who, being deprived of his (good) sense by Fate,
भ्रमन्तं तत्र तत्रैव देवेन विनिवारितम्। भ्रातृस्तान् ह्रियतो दृष्ट्वा द्रौपदी च महाबलः॥
Was going round in different directions through bewilderment caused by Destiny. Seeing his brothers and Draupadi thus being carried off, the greatly powerful (Bhima).
क्रोधमाहारयद् भीमो राक्षसं चेदमब्रवीत्। विज्ञातोऽसि मया पूर्वं पाप शस्त्रपरीक्षणे॥
Was inflamed with anger and he thus spoke to the Rakshasa, "O sinful wretch, I found you out long ago by (observing) your scrutiny of our weapons.
आस्था तु त्वयि मे नास्ति यतोऽसि न हतस्तदा। ब्रह्मरूपप्रतिच्छन्नो न नो वदसि चाप्रियम्॥
But as I had no apprehension from you, I did not kill you. You are in the disguise of a Brahmana and you did not speak towards us any harsh words.
प्रियेषु रममाणं त्वां न चैवाप्रियकारिणम्। अतिथिं ब्रह्मरूपं च कथं हन्यामनागसम्॥
You took delight in pleasing us, you did not do us any harm and again you were our guest, how could I therefore kill you who were in the garb of a Brahmana and who were innocent?
राक्षसं जानमानोऽपि यो हन्यानरकं व्रजेत्। अपक्वस्य च कालेन वधस्तव न विद्यते॥
He who kills such a one even knowing him to be a Rakshasa goes to hell. Besides you cannot be killed before the (fixed) time (for your death) comes.
नूनमद्यासि सम्पक्वो यथा ते मतिरीदृशी। दत्ता कृष्णापहरणे कालेनाद्भुतकर्मणा॥
Today that time has surely come, in as much as your mind has been led away by the wonder-performing fate to carry off Krishna (Draupadi).
बडिशोऽयं त्वया ग्रस्तः कालसूत्रेण लम्बितः। मत्स्योऽम्भसीव स्यूतास्यः कथमद्यभविष्यसि॥
(By thus allowing you to commit this act), you have swallowed the hook fastened to the line of Fate. Like the fish (hooked) you will meet with your destruction today.
यं चासि प्रस्थितो देशं मनः पूर्वं गतं च ते। न तं गन्तासि गन्तासि मार्ग बकहिडिम्बयोः। :॥
You shall not have to go where you intend to go or where you have already mentally gone. You shall go (today) to the place where Hidimba and Baka have gone.”
एवमुक्तस्तु भीमेन राक्षसः कालचोदितः। भीत उत्सृज्य तान् सर्वान् युद्धाय समुपस्थितः॥
Having been thus addressed by Bhima, the Rakshasa became alarmed. He put them down and being forced by Fate came to fright.
अब्रवीच्च पुनर्भीमं रोषात् प्रस्फुरिताधरः। न मे मूढा दिशः पाप त्वदर्थं मे विलम्बितम्॥
With his lips trembling in anger, he thus spoke to Bhima,“ sinful wretch, I am not bewildered; I am waiting for you.
श्रुता मे राक्षसा ये ये त्वया विनिहता रणे। तेषामद्य करिष्यामि तवास्रेणोदकक्रियाम्॥
I have heard about those Rakshasas whom you have killed in battle. I will today offer oblations of your blood to them."
एवमुक्तस्ततो भीमः सृक्किणी परिसंलिहन्। स्मयमान इव क्रोधात् साक्षात् कालान्तकोपमः।॥ बाहुसंरम्भमेवैक्षन्नभिदुद्राव राक्षसम्। राक्षसोऽपि तदा भीमं युद्धार्थिनमवस्थितम्॥ मुहुर्मुहुाददानः सृक्किणी परिसंलिहन्। अभिदुद्राव संरब्धो बलिर्वज्रधरं यथा॥
Having been thus addressed, Bhima, as if bursting with rage, like Yama himself at the time of universal dissolution, rushed towards the Rakshasa, licking the corners of his mouth and staring at him as he struck his own arms with his hands. Seeing Bhima waiting in expectation of fight, the Rakshasa rushed towards him in anger like Bali towards the wielder of thunder (Indra), gaping again and again and licking the corners of his mouth.
वर्तमाने तदा ताभ्यां बाहुयुद्धे सुदारुणे। माद्रीपुत्रावतिक्रुद्धावुभावप्यभ्यधावताम्॥
When they were fighting a fearful wrestling match, the sons of Madri (Nakula and Sahadeva), becoming exceedingly angry, rushed forward.
न्यवारयत् तौ प्रहसन् कुन्तीपुत्रो वृकोदरः। शक्तोऽहं राक्षसस्येति प्रेक्षध्वमिति चाब्रवीत्॥
The son of Kunti, Vrikodara (Bhima), smiled and asked them to stop. He spoke to them, “Behold, I am more than a match for this (Rakshasa).
आत्मना भ्रातृभिश्चैवधर्मेण सुकृतेन च। इष्टेन च शपे राजन् सूदयिष्यामि राक्षसम्॥
O king, by my own self, by my brothers, by my merit, by my good deeds and by my sacrifices, I swear that I shall kill this Rakshasa."
इत्येवमुक्त्वा तौ वीरौ स्पर्धमानौ परस्परम्। बाहुभ्यां समसज्जेतामुभौ रक्षोवृकोदरौ॥
Having said this, those two heroes, the Rakshasa and Vrikodara, challenged each other and caught each other by the arms.
तयोरासीत् सम्प्रहारः क्रुद्धयोर्भीमरक्षसोः। अमृष्यमाणयोः सङ्घये देवदानवयोरिव॥
They did not forgive each other; the angry Bhima and the Rakshasa fought a terrible battle like that between a celestials and a demon.
आरुज्यारुज्य तौ वृक्ष्यानन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतुः। जीमूताविव गर्जन्तौ निनदन्तौ महाबलौ॥
Uprooting the trees, those two greatly strong heroes again and again struck each other, roaring and shouting like masses of clouds.
बभञ्जतुर्महावृक्षानूरुभिर्बलिनां वरौ। अन्योन्येनाभिसंरब्धौ परस्परवधैषिणौ॥
Those two foremost of strong men, each wishing to kill the other and each rushing at the other with great force, broke down many gigantic trees by (the press of) their thighs.
तद् वृक्षयुद्धमभवन्महीरुहविनाशनम्। वालिसुग्रीवयोर्धात्रोः पुरा स्त्रीकाक्षिणोर्यथा॥
Thus went on that battle with trees, destructive of plants like that between the two brothers Bali and Sugriva, both desirous of possessing the woman.
आविध्याविध्य तौ वृक्षान् मुहूर्तमितरेतरम्। ताडयामासतुरुभौ विनदन्तौ मुहुर्मुहुः॥ तस्मिन् देशे यदा वृक्षाः सर्व एव निपातिताः। पुञ्जीकृताश्च शतशः परस्परवधेप्सया॥
Brandishing trees, they struck each other continually shouting. And when all the trees of that spot were pulled down and crushed into hundred parts by their attempt to kill each other,
तत: शिलाः समादाय मुहूर्तमिव भारत। महाभैरिव शैलेन्द्रौ युयुधाते महाबलौ॥
O descendant of Bharata, they instantly took up rocks; and those two greatly strong heroes fought like a mountain and a great mass of clouds.
शिलाभिरुग्ररूपाभिवृहतीभिः परस्परम्। वचैरिव महावेगैराजघ्नतुरमर्षणौ॥
Not allowing a moment's rest to each other, they struck each other with hard and (large pieces of) rocks each resembling a thunderbolt.
अभिद्रुत्य च भूयस्तावन्योन्यं बलदर्पितौ। भुजाभ्यां परिगृह्याथ चकर्षाते गजाविव॥
Defying each other from their great strength, they again rushed at each other and grasping each other by their arms they wrestled like two elephants.
मुष्टिभिश्च महाघोरैरन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतुः। ततः कटकटाशब्दो बभूव सुमहात्मनोः॥
They administered each other terrible blows; and those two greatly powerful heroes made chattering sounds by knashing their teeth.
ततः संहृत्य मुष्टिं तु पञ्चशीर्षमिवोरगम्। वेगेनाभ्यहनद् भीमो राक्षसस्य शिरोधराम्॥
At last Bhima, clenching his fist like a five headed snake, dealt with great force a blow on the neck of the Rakshasa.
ततः श्रान्तं तु तद् रक्षो भीमसेनभुजाहतम्। सुपरिश्रान्तमालक्ष्य भीमसेनोऽभ्यवर्तत॥
Thereupon, struck by the fist of Bhima the Rakshasa fainted away and Bhima seeing this, too, holding that exhausted one.
तत एनं महाबाहुर्बाहुभ्याममरोपमः। समुत्क्षिप्य बलाद् भीमो विनिष्पिष्य महीतले॥
Then the celestials-like and mighty-armed Bhima lifted him up with his two arms; and dashing him with force on the ground.
तस्य गात्राणि सर्वाणि चूर्णयामास पाण्डवः। अरनिना चाभिहत्य शिरः कायादपाहरत्॥ संदष्टौष्ठं विवृत्ताक्षं फलं वृक्षादिव च्युतम्। जटासुरस्य तु शिरो भीमसेनबलाद्धतम्॥
That son of Pandu pounded (into atoms) all his limbs; and striking him with his elbow, he severed from his body the head with bitten lips and rolling eyes like a fruit from its stem. The head of Jatasura, being severed by the strength of Bhimasena.
पपात रुधिरादिग्धं संदष्टदशनच्छदम्। तं निहत्य महेष्वासो युधिष्ठिरमुपागमत्। स्तूयमानो द्विजावयैस्तु मरुद्भिरिव वासवः॥
Fell besmeared with blood and with bitten lips. Having killed him, that great warrior came to Yudhishthira; and the foremost of Brahmanas (all) began to praise him as Marutas do Vasava (Indra).