DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0282
FIRST EXILE OF THE PANDAVAS 203
Bhima and spoke to him, saying: "O bull among men,
who art thou and whence comest thou ? Who are these
fair ones lying in slumber there? Hear and know that
this forest is the abode of the wicked chieftain of the
Rakshasas. He is my brother, and hath sent me hither to
kill you all for food, but I desire to save thee, O long-
armed one. Be thou my husband. I will take thee to
a secret place among the mountains, for I can speed
through the air at will."
Said Bhima: " I cannot leave my mother and my
brethren to become food for a Rakshasa."
The woman said: "Let me be thy servant. Awaken
thy mother and thy brethren and I will rescue you all
from my fierce brother."
Said Bhima: "I will not awaken them from pleasant
and needful slumber, because I do not fear a Rakshasa.
O fair one, thou canst go as it pleaseth thee, and I care
not if thou dost send thy brother unto me."
Meantime the Rakshasa chieftain had grown im-
patient. He descended from his tree and hastened after
his sister, with gaping mouth and head thrown back.
Darkly blue was his body, like to a raincloud.
The Rakshasa woman said to Bhima: " He cometh
hither in wrath. Awaken thy kinsfolk, and I will carry
you all through the air to escape him."
Said Bhima: "Look on my arms, which are strong
as the trunks of elephants; my legs are like iron maces,
and my chest is indeed powerful and broad. I will slay
this man-eater, thy brother."
The Rakshasa chieftain heard the boast of Bhima,
a"d he fumed with rage when he beheld his sister in
comely human guise, and said to her: " I will slay thee
and those whom thou wouldst fain help against me."
Then he rushed against her, but Bhima cried: "Thou
Bhima and spoke to him, saying: "O bull among men,
who art thou and whence comest thou ? Who are these
fair ones lying in slumber there? Hear and know that
this forest is the abode of the wicked chieftain of the
Rakshasas. He is my brother, and hath sent me hither to
kill you all for food, but I desire to save thee, O long-
armed one. Be thou my husband. I will take thee to
a secret place among the mountains, for I can speed
through the air at will."
Said Bhima: " I cannot leave my mother and my
brethren to become food for a Rakshasa."
The woman said: "Let me be thy servant. Awaken
thy mother and thy brethren and I will rescue you all
from my fierce brother."
Said Bhima: "I will not awaken them from pleasant
and needful slumber, because I do not fear a Rakshasa.
O fair one, thou canst go as it pleaseth thee, and I care
not if thou dost send thy brother unto me."
Meantime the Rakshasa chieftain had grown im-
patient. He descended from his tree and hastened after
his sister, with gaping mouth and head thrown back.
Darkly blue was his body, like to a raincloud.
The Rakshasa woman said to Bhima: " He cometh
hither in wrath. Awaken thy kinsfolk, and I will carry
you all through the air to escape him."
Said Bhima: "Look on my arms, which are strong
as the trunks of elephants; my legs are like iron maces,
and my chest is indeed powerful and broad. I will slay
this man-eater, thy brother."
The Rakshasa chieftain heard the boast of Bhima,
a"d he fumed with rage when he beheld his sister in
comely human guise, and said to her: " I will slay thee
and those whom thou wouldst fain help against me."
Then he rushed against her, but Bhima cried: "Thou