जनमेजय उवाच आर्टिषेणाश्रमे तस्मिन् मम पूर्वपितामहाः। पाण्डोः पुत्रा महात्मानः सर्वे दिव्यपराक्रमाः॥ कियन्तं कालमवसन् पर्वते गन्धमादने। किं च चक्रुर्महावीर्याः सर्वेऽतिबलपौरुषाः॥
Janamejaya said : How long did my grandsire, the high-souled sons of Pandu, all of whom were endued with unrivalled prowess, dwell in the hermitage of Arstisena, situated in the mountain Gandhamadana? And (during their stay there) what these exceedingly powerful endowed wit manliness and prowess do?
कानि चाभ्यवहार्याणि तत्र तेषां महात्मनाम्। वसतां लोकवीराणामासंस्तद् ब्रूहि सत्तम॥
Tell me, O excellent one, what these highsouled ones those heroes of the worlds subsist upon, while dwelling there?
विस्तरेण च मे शंस भीमसेनपराक्रमम्। यद् यच्चक्रे महाबाहुस्तस्मिन् हैमवते गिरौ॥
Narrate to me also in detail of the prowess of Bhimasena and what that mighty armed one did in the mountain Himalaya.
न खल्वासीत् पुनयुद्धं तस्य यक्षैर्द्विजोत्तम। कच्चित् समागमस्तेषामासीद् वैश्रवणस्य च॥
O, the most excellent of the Brahmanas, was there no other fight with the Yakshas? Did they meet with Vaisravana?
तत्र ह्यायातिधनद आर्टिषेणो यथाब्रवीत्। एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं विस्तरेण तपोधन॥
Surely, as Arstisena said, the Lord of wealth, visits that place. O you, whose only wealth is devotion, I am desirous of hearing of all this in detail. I am not yet satisfied with hearing of all their movements.
न हि मे शृण्वतस्तृप्तिरस्ति तेषां विचेष्टितम्। वैशम्पायन उवाच एतदात्महितं श्रुत्वा तस्याप्रतिमतेजसः॥
Vaishampayana said : The most exalted on the Bharatas, having heard the instructions of that one of incomparable energy (Arstisena), began always to abide by them accordingly.
शासनं सततं चक्रुस्तथैव भरतर्षभाः। भुञ्जाना मुनिभोज्यानि रसवन्ति फलानि च॥
Living on the food eaten by the sages and luscious fruits and the flesh of the deer killed by unpoisoned arrows.
मेध्यानि हिमवत्पृष्ठे मधूनि विविधानि च। एवं ते न्यवसंस्तत्र पाण्डवा भरतर्षभाः॥
And various kinds of pure honey, the Pandavas-the most exalted of the Bharatasdwelt in the Himalayas.
तथा निवसतां तेषां पञ्चमं वर्षमभ्यगात्। शृण्वतां लोमशोक्तानि वाक्यानि विविधान्युत॥
Living in this way, they passed the fifth year listening to the various stories told by Lomasha
कृत्यकाल उपस्थास्य इति चोक्त्वा घटोत्कचः। राक्षसैः सह सर्वैश्च पूर्वमेव गतः प्रभो॥
O Lord, Ghatotkacha together with all the Rakshasas had before this departed saying “I shall appear when occasion arises."
आर्टिषेणाश्रमे तेषां वसतां वै महात्मनाम्। अगच्छन् बहवो मासाः पश्यतां महदद्भुतम्॥
Thus, witnessing many wonders, these highsouled ones (Pandavas) spent several months in the hermitage of Arstisena.
तैस्तत्र विहरद्भिश्च रममाणैश्च पाण्डवैः। प्रीतिमन्तो महाभागा मुनय.श्चारणास्तथा॥
And when the Pandavas were sporting and playing there at ease, several contented and highly fortunate sages and Charanas,
आजग्मुः पाण्डवान् द्रष्टुं शुद्धात्मानो यतव्रताः। ते तैः सह कथां चक्रुर्दिव्यां भरतसत्तमाः॥
Of pure souls and observant of vows came there to see them. And those most exalted to the Bharatas talked with them on divine matters.
ततः कतिपयाहस्य महाह्रदनिवासिनम्। ऋद्धिमन्तं महानागं सुपर्णः सहसाऽऽहरत्॥
When a few days had thus passed away, it so happened that Suparna carried off a mighty Nag (serpent) of great prosperity who lived in the great lake.
प्राकम्पत महाशैलः प्रामृद्यन्त महाद्रुमाः। ददृशुः सर्वभूतानि पाण्डवाश्च तदद्भुतम्॥
(In consequence of which) the mighty mountain began to tremble and many huge trees were crushed. And the Pandavas together with all creatures witnessed that marvellous scene.
ततः शैलोत्तमस्याचात् पाण्डवान् प्रति मारुतः। अवहत् सर्वमाल्यानि गन्धवन्ति शुभानि च॥
Vaishampayana said : Then from the top of that excellent mountain several kinds of auspicious and fragrant flowers were carried along by the wind towards the Pandavas.
तत्र पुष्पाणि दिव्यानि सुहृद्भिः सह पाण्डवाः। ददृशुः पञ्चवर्णानि द्रौपदी च यशस्विनी॥
And the Pandavas together with their friends and the renowned Draupadi beheld (those) heavenly flowers of five colours.
भीमसेनं ततः कृष्णा काले वचनमब्रवीत्। विविक्ते पर्वतोद्देशे सुखासीनं महाभुजम्॥
And when Bhimasena of mighty arms was comfortably seated on a lonely spot on the
सुपर्णानिलवेगेन श्वसनेन महाचलात्। पञ्चवर्णानि पात्यन्ते पुष्पाणि भरतर्षभ।॥ प्रत्यक्षं सर्वभूतानां नदीमश्वरथां प्रति। खाण्डवे सत्यसंधेन भ्रात्रा तव महात्मना॥ गन्धर्वोरगरक्षांसि वासवश्च निवारितः। हता मायाविनश्चोचाधनुः प्राप्तं च गाण्डिवम्॥
"O the best of the Bharatas, it is witnessed by all the creatures that these flowers of five colours, driven by the force of the wind raised by Suparna, are falling (with a crushing force) towards the river Ashvaratha. (In the forest of) Khandava your high-souled brother (Arjuna), true to his promise baffled (the attempts) of the Gandharvas, the Uragyas, the Rakshasas and even of Vasava (Indra) and slew the furious Mayavis (who can assume any shape they choose) and also obtained the bow Gandiva."
तवापि सुमहत् तेजो महद् बाहुबलं च ते। अविषह्यमनाधृष्यं शक्रतुल्यपराक्रम॥
You too, are possessed of as indomitable spirit and mighty arms as the powerful Sakra himself.
त्वद्वाहुबलवेगेन त्रासिताः सर्वराक्षसाः। हित्वा शैलं प्रपद्यन्तां भीमसेन दिशो दश।॥
(Therefore) O Bhimasena, let all the Rakshasas, terrified with the force of your mighty arms, fly towards the ten cardinal points, leaving this mountain.
ततः शैलोत्तमस्याचं चित्रमाल्यधरं शिवम्। व्यपेतभयसम्मोहाः पश्यन्तु सुहृदस्तव॥
Then let your friends devoid of all fear and affliction behold the auspicious top of this excellent mountain decorated with variegated flowers.
एवं प्रणिहितं भीम चिरात् प्रभृति मे मनः। द्रष्टुमिच्छामि शैलाचं त्वद्वाहुबलपालिता।॥
O Bhima, I have cherished this thought in my mind for a long time, and I have a mind to behold the summit of this mountain protected by the force of your arms.
ततः क्षिप्तमिवात्मानं द्रौपद्या स परंतपः। नामृष्यत महाबाहुः प्रहारमिव सद्भवः॥
Thereupon, the tormentor of his foes, Bhimasena of mighty arms, considering himself as conjured by Draupadi, looked like an wounded bull of excellent breed and could not brook (her remarks).
सिंहर्षभगतिः श्रीमानुदारः कनकप्रभः। मनस्वी बलवान् दृप्तो मानी शूरश्च पाण्डवः॥ लोहिताक्षः पृथुव्यंसो मत्तवारणविक्रमः। सिंहदंष्ट्रो बृहत्स्कन्धः शालपोत इवोद्गतः॥ महात्मा चारुसर्वाङ्गः कम्बुग्रीवो महाभुजः। रुक्मपृष्ठंधनुः खङ्गं तूणांश्चाप परामृशत्॥
Then that mighty Pandava having the gait of a lion or a bull, graceful, having the splendour of gold, high-minded, powerful, proud, sensitive, heroic, heaving red eyes, broadshouldered, possessed of the strength of mad elephants, endowed with lionine teeth and a broad neck, tall as a young Sala tree, generous hearted, of symmetrical proportions, of shelllike neck and of mighty arms, took up his bow plaited at the back with gold and also his sword and arrow case.
स केसरीव चोत्सिक्तः प्रभिन्न इव वारणः। व्यपेतभयसम्मोहः शैलमभ्यपतद् बली॥
And that mighty one proud as a lion and looking like a mad elephant, rushed towards that cliff tree from all fear and affliction.
तं मृगेन्द्रमिवायान्तं प्रभिन्नमिव वारणम्। ददृशुः सर्वभूतानि बाणकार्मुकधारिणम्॥
And all the creatures beheld him appearing like a lion or a maddened bull furnished with bows and arrows.
द्रौपद्या वर्धयन् हर्षं गदामादाय पाण्डवः। व्यपेतभयसम्मोहः शैलराजं समाश्रितः॥
And the Pandava devoid of all fear and affliction, proceeded to the mountain furnished with his club to the great delight of Draupadi.
न ग्लानि च कातर्यं न वैक्लव्यं न मत्सरः। कदाचिज्जुषते पार्थमात्मजं मातरिश्वनः॥
Neither fatigue, nor fear, nor lassitude nor the malice (of others) took possession of that son of Pritha and god of the wind.
तदेकायनमासाद्य विषमं भीमदर्शनम्। बहुतालोच्छ्रयं शृङ्गमारुरोह महाबलः॥
Getting to a pass affording passage to a single individual only, that one of great prowess, ascended that ragged and terriblelooking summit, high as several palm trees.
सकिन्नरमहानागमुनिगन्धर्वराक्षसान्। हर्षयन् पर्वतस्याचमारुह्य स महाबलः॥
Causing the delight of the Kinnaras, Mahanagas, sages and the Rakshasas, the best of the Bharatas, endowed with gigantic strength, ascended the summit of the movntain,
ततो वैश्रवणावासं ददर्श भरतर्षभः। काञ्चनैः स्फाटिकैश्चैव वेश्मभिः समलंकृतम्॥
And beheld therefrom the abode of Vaisravana adorned with golden and crystal buildings,
प्राकारेण परिक्षिप्तं सौवर्णेन समन्ततः। सर्वरत्नद्युतिमता सर्वोद्यानवता तथा॥
Encircled on all sides by golden walls, having the lustre of all gems, containing gardens of all sorts,
शैलादभ्युच्छ्यवता चयाट्टालकशोभिना। द्वारतोरणनिर्वृहध्वजसंवाहशोभिना॥
Higher than a mountain peak, adorned with ramparts and towers, graced with doorways, gates and rows of flags,
विलासिनीभिरत्यर्थं नृत्यन्तीभिः समन्ततः। वायुनाधूयमानाभिः पताकाभिरलंकृतम्॥
And beautiful with coquettish damsels dancing around and ornamented with flags fluttered by the wind.
धनुष्कोटिमवष्टभ्य वक्रभावेन बाहुना। पश्यमानः स खेदेन द्रविणाधिपतेः पुरम्॥
Leaning against the end of his bow with banded arm, he stood beholding the city of Kubera with great sorrow caused by the remembrance of his own fortune).
मोदयन् सर्वभूतानि गन्धमादनसम्भवः। सर्वगन्धवहस्तत्र मारुतः सुसुखो ववौ॥
A pleasurable breeze was blowing there, having its origin in the Gandhamadana, gladdening all creatures and carrying sweet odours of all kinds.
चित्रा.विविधवर्णाभाश्चित्रमञ्जरिधारिणः। अचिन्त्या विविधास्तत्र दुमाः परमशोभिनः॥
There were many superbly beautiful trees beyond all thought, decorated with variegated colour and bearing graceful blossoms.
रत्नजालपरिक्षिप्तं चित्रमाल्यविभूषितम्। राक्षसाधिपतेः स्थानं ददृशे भरतर्षभः॥
That best of the Bharatas then beheld the palace of Kubera covered on all sides with heaps of gems and decorated with variegated garlands.
गदाखड्गधनुष्पाणिः समभित्यक्तजीवितः। भीमसेनो महाबाहुस्तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचलः॥
There stood Bhimasena of mighty-arms devoid of all thoughts of life, firm as a rock, with club, sword and bow in his hand.
ततः शङ्खमुपाध्मासीद द्विषतां लोमहर्षणम्। ज्याघोषतलशब्दं च कृत्वा भूतान्यमोहयत्॥
Then blowing his conch which made the hair of his adversaries stand on the end and twangling his bow, striking his arms with his palms, he struck terror into the hearts of all the creatures.
ततः प्रहृष्टरोमाणस्तं शब्दमभिदुद्रुवुः। यक्षराक्षसगन्धर्वाः पाण्डवस्य समीपतः॥
(Infuriated) at this, the Yakshas, the Rakshasas and the Gandharvas with their hair standing erect, rushed towards the Pandava, following the direction of these sounds.
गदापरिघनिस्त्रिंशशूलशक्तिपरश्वधाः। प्रगृहीता व्यरोचन्त यक्षराक्षसबाहुभिः॥
Then the maces, clubs, swords, spears, axes and the javelins carried in their arms by the Rakshasas, began to blaze.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तेषां तस्य च भारत। : प्रयुक्तान् महामायैः शूलशक्तिपरश्वधान्॥ भल्लैर्भीमः प्रचिच्छेद भीमवेगतरैस्ततः। अन्तरिक्षगतानां च भूमिष्ठानां च गर्जताम्॥ शरैविव्याध गात्राणि राक्षसानां महाबलः। सा लोहितमहावृष्टिरभ्यवर्षन्महाबलम्॥ गदापरिघपाणीनां रक्षसां कायसम्भवाः। कायेभ्यः प्रच्युताधारा राक्षसानां समन्ततः॥
And, O Bharata, when the fight took place between them, Bhima cut off the darts, javelins and axes hurled by those possessing great powers of illusion, with his arrows of tremendous force. And that most powerful one, pierced with his arrows the bodies of those roaring Rakshasas who were on the ground and of those that were in the sky. And that one of great prowess was drenched in that great deluge of blood gushing and flowing on all sides from the bodies of the Rakshasas with maces and clubs in their hands,
तैः भीमबाहुबलोत्सृष्टैरायुधैर्यक्षरक्षसाम्। विनिकृत्तानि दृश्यन्ते शरीराणि शिरांसि च॥
And the heads and the bodies of the Rakshasas were seen cut off and mangled by the weapons hurled by the force of Bhima's arms.
प्रच्छाद्यमानं रक्षोभिः पाण्डवं प्रियदर्शनम्। ददृशुः सर्वभूतानि सूर्यमभ्रगणैरिव॥
All the creatures, then, saw the good-looking Pandava hemmed in by the Rakshasas and appearing like the sun enveloped with clouds.
स रश्मिभिरिवादित्यः शरैररिनिधातिभिः। सर्वानार्छन्महाबाहुर्बलवान् सत्यविक्रमः॥
And that mighty-armed and powerul one (Bhima) of true prowess covered all (the Rakshasas) with his arrows fatal to his enemies, as the sun shrouds all the creatures with his rays.
अभितर्जयमानाश्च रुवन्तश्च महारवान्। न मोहं भीमसेनस्य ददृशुः सर्वराक्षसाः॥
Although uttering both loud yells and cries of victory, the Rakshasas did not see Bhima deprived of senses.
यक्षा विकृतसर्वाङ्गा भीमसेनभयार्दिताः। भीममार्तस्वरं चक्रुर्विप्रकीर्णमहायुधाः॥
And the Yakshas, with their bodies mangled all over, terrified by the fear of Bhimasena, began to utter frightful cries of distress leaving aside their weapons.
उत्सृज्य ते गदाशूलानसिशक्तिपरश्वधान्। दक्षिणां दिशमाजग्मुस्त्रासिता दृढधन्वना॥
And then owing to the fear of that wielder of a strong bow, Bhimaseria, they fled southwards, forsaking their maces, spears, swords, clubs and axes.
तत्र शूलगदापाणियूंढोरस्को महाभुजः। सखा वैश्रवणस्यासीन्मणिमात्राम राक्षसः॥
On that side, stood the mighty-armed and broad-chested Rakshasa, Maniman, the friend of Kubera, armed with darts and maces.
अदर्शयदधीकारं पौरुषं च महाबलः। स तान् दृष्ट्वा परावृत्तान् स्मयमान इवाब्रवीत्॥
Displaying his masterdom and manliness, he, of gigantic strength, seeing them taking to heels, addressed them smilingly thus-
एकेन बहवः सङ्खये मानुषेण पराजिताः। प्राप्य वैश्रवणावासं किं वक्ष्यथधनेश्वरम्॥
"Going to the abode of Vaisravana, how would you tell the lord of wealth that vast numbers (of Yakshas) have been slain by a single man."
एवमाभाष्य तान् सर्वानभ्यवर्तत राक्षसः। शक्तिशूलगदापाणिरभ्यधावत् स पाण्डवम्॥
Having addressed them thus, that Rakshasa, holding in the hands, clubs, javelins and maces, rushed against the Pandava.
तमापतन्तं वेगेन प्रभिन्नमिव वारणम्। वत्सदन्तैस्त्रिभिः पार्श्वे भीमसेनः समार्दयत्॥
Beholding him approach with the fury of a maddened elephant, Bhimasena pierced his sides with three choice arrows.
मणिमानपि संक्रुद्धः प्रगृह्य महतीं गदाम्। प्राहिणोद् भीमसेनाय परिगृह्य महाबलः॥
The mighty Maniman too, in wrath, taking and brandishing a tremendous mace, hurled it at him.
विद्युदूपां महाघोरामाकाशे महतीं गदाम्। शरैबर्हभिरभ्या द् भीमसेनः शिलाशितैः॥
Bhimasena too, on his part, beset, with many arrows, sharpened on stones, that tremendous and dreadful mace in the sky resembling a lightning flash.
प्रत्यहन्यन्त ते सर्वे गदामासाद्य सायकाः। न वेगंधारयामासुर्गदावेगस्य वेगिताः॥
But all these arrows though discharged with force, on reaching the mace fell back and could not check its onward career.
गदायुद्धसमाचारं बुद्ध्यमानः स वीर्यवान्। व्यंसयामास तं तस्य प्रहारं भीमविक्रमः॥
And that spirited one of dreadful prowess (at last) baffled the attack (of the Rakshasa) by resorting to his skill in mace-fighting.
ततः शक्तिं महाधोरां रुक्मदण्डामयस्मयीम्। तस्मिन्नेवान्तरेधीमान् प्रजहाराथ राक्षसः॥
At this interval, that intelligent Rakshasa assailed (Bhima) with a dreadful iron club furnished with a golden handle.
सा भुर्ज भीमनिर्हादा भित्त्वा भीमस्य दक्षिणम्। साग्निज्वाला महारौद्रा पपात सहसा भुवि॥
And that tremendous (club) emitting flames and sending forth dreadful roars pierced suddenly the right arm of Bhima and then fell to the ground.
सोऽतिविद्धो महेष्वासः शक्त्यामितपराक्रमः। गदां जचाह कौन्तेयः क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणः॥
(Thus) severely wounded, that great bowman, the exceedingly powerful son of Kunti, with eyes rolling in wrath, took up his mace.
रक्मपट्टपिनद्धां तां शत्रूणां भयवर्धिनीम्। प्रगृह्याथ नदन भीमः शैक्यां सर्वायसीं गदाम्॥
And then taking up his iron mace termed Shaika, in-laid with plates of gold and increasing the fear of his enemies, Bhiina, uttering yells,
तरसा चाभिदुद्राव मणिमन्तं महाबलम्। दीप्यमानं महाशूलं प्रगृह्य मणिमानपि॥
Rushed with all speed against the exceedingly powerful Maniman, who too, taking a mighty and blazing dart,
प्राहिणोद् भीमसेनाय वेगेन महता नदन्। भक्त्वा शूलं गदाचेण गदायुद्धविशारदः॥
Hurled it with force at Bhimasena with tremendous roars; and that adept at macefighting, breaking that dart with the end of his mace.
अभिदुद्राव तं हन्तुं गरुत्मानिव पन्नगम्। सोऽन्तरिक्षमवप्लुत्य विधूय सहसा गदाम्॥ प्रविक्षेप महाबाहुर्विनद्य रणमूर्धनि। सेन्द्राशनिरिवेन्द्रेण विसृष्टा वातरंहसा॥
Rushed to kill Maniman, as Garuda (does) to kill the serpent. And then he (Bhima) of mighty arms advancing ahead in the field, suddenly jumped in the air and whirling his mace, hurled (at Maniman) uttering yells. And like the thunderbolt hurled by Indra, that (mace) like a pest, with the speed of the wind,
हत्वा रक्षः क्षितिं प्राप्य कृत्येव निपपात ह। तं राक्षसं भीमबलं भीमसेनेन पातितम्॥ ददृशुः सर्वभूतानि सिंहेनेव गवां पतिम्। तं प्रेक्ष्य निहतं भूमौ हतशेषा निशाचराः। भीममार्तस्वरं कृत्वा जग्मुः प्राची दिशं प्रति॥
Killing the Rakshasa reached ground. And all the creatures beheld that exceedingly powerful Rakshasa slain by Bhima as a bull is slain by a lion. Seeing him slain on the ground the surviving Rakshasa, uttering loud cries of distress, went towards the East.