तीर्थयात्रा पर्व — सुगन्धिका में आगमन

Vaishampayana said: When that best of monkeys had gone away, that foremost of powerful men Bhima, went by that way over the extensive Gandhamadana.

He went on, reflecting on Hanumana's body and effulgence which were matchless on earth and also the greatness and dignity of Dasharatha's son.

Going in search of the place where grew the lotuses (in question), Bhima saw romantic forests, groves, rivers, lakes, trees adorned with blossoms and sylvan wood-lands beautified by various flowers.

O descendant of Bharata, he saw herds of mad elephants besmeared with mud. They looked like masses of clouds pouring rains.

When proceeding quickly, that handsome hero saw in the forest, deer of quick glances with grass in their mouth standing along with their mates.

Bhimasena, fearless from his great prowess, went into that hilly region inhabited by the buffaloes, bears and leopards, as if he had been invited by the forest-trees, shaken by the breeze, ever fragrant with flowers and bearing beautiful copper-coloured twigs. He passed by lakes, each having romantic descents and woods, adorned with lotuses and lilies, which were swarıned with maddened black bees. On account of the presence of the lotus-buds, they appeared as if they had joined hands (before Bhima).

Having for his provisions, on the way, the words of Draupadi, Bhima proceeded on with great speed, keeping his mind and eyes fixed on the charming slopes of the mountain.

When the time of noon had passed away, he saw the forest scattered over by deer and also by a great river full of fresh golden lotuses.

Swarmed with swans and Karandavas and adorned with Chakravakas, it (the river) appeared like a garland of pure lotuses worn by the mountain.

That greatly powerful hero saw, there, the great Sugandhika forest, delightful and effulgent as the sun.

Seeing it, the son of Pandu (Bhima) thought in his mind that his object had been fulfilled. He also mentally presented himself before his beloved (Draupadi) worn out by exile.