DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0283
2o4 INDIAN MYTH AND LEGEND
wilt not kill a woman while I am near. I challenge thee
to single combat now. This night will thy sister behold
thee slain by me as an elephant is slain by a lion."
Said the Rakshasa: "Boast not until thou art the
victor. I will kill thee first of all, then thy friends, and
last of all my treacherous sister."
Having spoken thus, he rushed towards Bhima, who
nimbly seized the monster's outstretched arms and,
wrestling violently, cast him on the ground. Then as
a lion drags off his prey, Bhima dragged the struggling
Rakshasa into the depths of the forest, lest his yells
should awaken the sleepers. There they fought together
like furious bull elephants, tearing down branches and
overthrowing trees.
At length the dread clamour awoke the Pandavas,
and they gazed with wonder on the beautiful woman who
kept watch in Bhima's place.
Said Pritha: " O celestial being, who art thou ? If
thou art the goddess of woods or an Apsara, tell me why
thou dost linger here?"
The fair demon said: " I am the sister of the chieftain
of the Rakshasas, and I was sent hither to slay you all;
but when I beheld thy mighty son the love god wounded
me, and I chose him for my husband. Then my brother
followed angrily, and thy son is fighting with him, and
they are filling the forest with their shouting."
All the brethren rushed to Bhima's aid, and they
saw the two wrestlers struggling in a cloud of dust, and
they appeared like two high cliffs shrouded in mist.
Arjuna cried out: "O Bhima, I am here to help thee.
Let me slay the monster."
Bhima answered: " Fear not, but look on. The
Rakshasa will not escape from my hands."
Said Arjuna: "Do not keep him alive too long. ^e
wilt not kill a woman while I am near. I challenge thee
to single combat now. This night will thy sister behold
thee slain by me as an elephant is slain by a lion."
Said the Rakshasa: "Boast not until thou art the
victor. I will kill thee first of all, then thy friends, and
last of all my treacherous sister."
Having spoken thus, he rushed towards Bhima, who
nimbly seized the monster's outstretched arms and,
wrestling violently, cast him on the ground. Then as
a lion drags off his prey, Bhima dragged the struggling
Rakshasa into the depths of the forest, lest his yells
should awaken the sleepers. There they fought together
like furious bull elephants, tearing down branches and
overthrowing trees.
At length the dread clamour awoke the Pandavas,
and they gazed with wonder on the beautiful woman who
kept watch in Bhima's place.
Said Pritha: " O celestial being, who art thou ? If
thou art the goddess of woods or an Apsara, tell me why
thou dost linger here?"
The fair demon said: " I am the sister of the chieftain
of the Rakshasas, and I was sent hither to slay you all;
but when I beheld thy mighty son the love god wounded
me, and I chose him for my husband. Then my brother
followed angrily, and thy son is fighting with him, and
they are filling the forest with their shouting."
All the brethren rushed to Bhima's aid, and they
saw the two wrestlers struggling in a cloud of dust, and
they appeared like two high cliffs shrouded in mist.
Arjuna cried out: "O Bhima, I am here to help thee.
Let me slay the monster."
Bhima answered: " Fear not, but look on. The
Rakshasa will not escape from my hands."
Said Arjuna: "Do not keep him alive too long. ^e