सम्भव पर्व — भीमको फिर्ती

Vaishampayana said : Here the Pandavas and the Kurus, after finishing their sports and pleasure, returned to Hastinapur without Bhima.

Some on horses, some on elephants and some preferring cars and other conveyances. They said, “Bhima must have gone before us." The wicked Duryodhana was glad not to see Bhima; and we entered the city with his brothers (in joy).

The virtuous minded Yudhisthira, himself being unacquainted with vice and wickedness considered others to be as honest as he himself was.

The son of Pritha, (Yudhisthira), full of filial love, went to his mother, Kunti and making obeisance to her he said, “Has Bhima come here?

O good mother, I do not see him here. Where has he gone? We sought for him long in the gardens and the woods. But we did not find Vrikodara any where. We thought in our mind that he had preceded us.

O illustrious lady, we have come here, our hearts being great anxiety. Coming here, where has he gone? Have you sent him any where?

O illustrious lady, O great one, tell me, I am full of doubts respecting the mighty hero, Bhima.

He was asleep and has not come, I believe Bhima is killed." Having been thus addressed by the intelligent son of Dharma (Yudhisthira), Kunti. Cried out "Alas! alas!" She then said to Yudhisthira in alarm, O son, I have not seen Bhima; he has not come to me.

Go soon with your brothers and make a careful search for him.” Having said this in sorrowful heart to her eldest son. Kunti summoned Kshatta (Vidura) and spoke to him thus, "O illustrious Kshatta, I do not see Bhimasena. Where is he gone!

The others with all their brothers have returned from the gardens; only my mighty arined Bhima has not come.

He is always in the evil look of Duryodhana. The Kurus are all wicked, narrow minded, covetous for sovereignty and impudent.

They might have killed him in anger. Therefore, my mind is affected with anxiety and my heart burns.

Vidura said : O blessed lady, do not say so. Protect the others (your sons) from the Kurus. It abused, the wicked minded (Duryodhana) may kill the rest (of your sons).

The great Rishi say that your sons would be long lived. (Therefore) that son (Bhima) will surely return and gladden your heart.

Vaishampayana said : Having said this, the learned Vidura went (back) to his house. Kunti with her sons lived in her house in (great) anxiety.

The Pandava (Bhima) awoke from his sleep on the eight days and he left himself strong beyond measure by digesting that Rasa (ambrosia).

Seeing the Pandava (Bhima) awake the snakes consoled and cheered him and they spoke to him thus.

O mighty armed hero, the strength giving Rasa (liquor) which you have drunk will give you the strength of ten thousand elephants and you will be invincible in battle.

O best of the Kuru race, bathe in this sacred and auspicious water and return home. Your brothers are disconsolate for your absence.

Thereupon the mighty armed (hero) became purified by a bath and decked himself with white garments and with white flowery garlands. He ate the Paramanya offered to him by the powerful Nagas. Then being adored and blessed by the Naga hero, the Pandava (Bhima), decked with various celestial ornaments, rose from the nether regions.

That chastiser of foes (Bhima) rose from the abode of the Nagas in delightful heart. The lotus eyed (hero), being upraised by the Nagas from the water, was placed in the self same gardens, where he had been sporting. They then vanished in his own sight.

The powerful Bhima, the son of Kunti, being thus arisen, ran to his mother with all speed.

Saluting her and his eldest brother, that chastiser of foes smelt the heads of his younger brothers.

He was embraced by his mother and by every one of those best of men. In filial love for one another they then exclaimed, “What joy! What great joy!"

Everything about the villainy of Duryodhana was told to his brothers by the greatly powerful Bhima.

The Pandava (Bhima) told them in detail all about the lucky and unlucky incidents that befell him in the region of the Nagas.

Thereupon, king Yudhisthira spoke to Bhima these words of great import, “Keep your silence. Do not speak it out to any one in any way.

sons of Kunti, you should protect one another with great care from this day.” having said this, the mighty armed Dharmaraja Yudhisthira.

With all his brothers, became very vigilant from that day. And the virtuous minded Vidura gave the sons of Pritha (the Pandavas) good counsels.

Some time after, Duryodhana again mixed (with Bhima's food) poison which was fresh, virulent, fearful, hair stirring and deadly.

The son of the Vaishya women (their cousin Yuyutsu), being desirous of doing good to the sons of Pritha, informed them of it; but Vrikodara (Bhima) ate it and digested it.

Through that poison was greatly virulent, though it was intended for killing Bhima, it produced no effects on Bhima; he digested it.

Thereupon, Duryodhana, Karna and the son of Subala (Shakuni) adopted numerous other means to kill that Pandava (Bhima).

The Pandavas, though they were aware of all this, did express no indignation as advised by Vidura.

King Dhritrasthra to search Kripacharya born of race of Gautama, who was originated from arrows for giving the education of their Kumar's engaged in playing and impertinent. Accepting them as a preceptor they handed over Kumar's of Kuru race to him. They started the teaching of Dhanurveda (archery). were