हिडिम्ब-वध पर्व — घटोत्कचको जन्म

Bhima said: woman even The Rakshasas revenge themselves on their enemy by alluring deceptions. Therefore, O Hidimba, go to the way that your brother has gone.

Yudhisthira said: O best of men, O Bhima do not kill a in anger. O Pandava, the attainment of virtue is a higher duty than the protection of body.

You have killed the greatly powerful (Rakshasas) who came with the purpose of killing us. She is (but) his sister, what can she do to us, even if she is angry?

Vaishampayana said : Thereupon, Hidimba respectfully saluting Kunti and Yudhisthira with joined hands, spoke to Kunti thus, “O respected lady, you know the pangs that women suffer from the god of love. O blessed lady, I have received those (pangs) by Bhima.

I have suffered these great pangs and I wait for the time (when it will be assuaged). That time has now come, when I expect that my happiness would come.

O blessed lady, leaving my friends relatives and religion, I have chosen this best of men, this son of yours, as my husband.

O illustrious lady, if forsaken by this hero and yourself I shall not live any longer, I tell you this truly.

O greatly beautiful lady, you should show compassion towards me, considering me foolish or very obedient to you.

O greatly fortunate lady, unite me with my husband, your son. Let me go away at pleasure (wherever I like), taking this celestial like (hero). Trust me, O blessed lady, I shall bring him back to you all.

Whenever you will think of me I will immediately come to you and carry you wherever you will command. I shall rescue you from danger over even and uneven grounds. I shall carry you on my back whenever you will desire to proceed with speed. Be gracious to me and make Bhimasena accept me.

It is consonant with the precepts of religion that one should protect his life by any means. He, who seeks to do it, should not scruple about the means.

He who keeps his virtue (even) in distress in the foremost of all virtuous men. Distress is the greatest danger to virtue and virtuous men.

'It is virtue that protect life and therefore virtue is called the giver of life. The means by which virtue is secured be censurable.'

Yudhisthira said: Hidimba, there is no doubt of that what you say is true. O lady of slender waist, you must act as you have said (you want to do).

O blessed lady, when Bhimasena will finished ablutions, twilight prayer and the usual propitiatory rites you will then be adored by him till the sun sets.

O lady of mind like speed, sport with him at pleasure during the day. You must always bring Bhimasena back every night. can never

Vaishampayana said : Having promised to do it by saying, “Be it so", Bhima said (to Hidimba), “O Rakshasi, listen to the agreement that I make with you.

O blessed lady, O lady of slender waist, I shall go (and stay) with you, so long you do not obtain a son."

Having promised this by saying, “Be it so," the Rakshasi Hidimba took Bhima upon her body and went up to the sky.

Assuming the handsomest form, decked with all ornaments and pouring forth at times sweet music, she sported with the Pandava (Bhima) on the mountain peaks of picturesque scenery and in regions sacred to the celestial, abounding with beasts and birds. Also in forests and mountain fastness, overgrown with blossoming trees, in beautiful lake; resplendent with lotuses and lilies. On island of rivers, on the pebbled banks of streamlets, in sylvan streamlets with beautiful banks and also in mountain streams. In beautiful woods with blossoming trees, in the Himalayan bowers and in various mountains caves. In the crystal water of the lakes, smiling with lotuses, on the shores of the sea shinning with gold and pearls. In beautiful towns and fine gardens, in woods sacred to the gods and on the breast of hills. In the land of the Guhyakas and the hermitages of the ascetics on the banks of the Manasa lake, abounding with fruits and flowers of every season. Assuming the handsome form, she sported with the Pandava (Bhima). The lady with the mind like speed sported with Bhima in these places.

She then gave birth by Bhima a greatly strong son of terrible eyes and large mouth, of ears like arrows and of appearance fearful.

Of roaring voice, of lips brown as copper, of teeth sharp and keen. He was mighty armed, greatly energetic, exceedingly powerful and a great car warrior. Having long nose, broad chest, frightfully swelling calves, celerity of motion and excessive strength, he had nothing human in him, though born of a man. He excelled all the Pishachas and other such creatures and also the Rakshasas.

He grew up to be a youth when he was a boy and that mighty hero soon acquainted high proficiency in all arms and weapons known amongst mankind.

The Rakshasas women give birth on the very day they conceive; they are capable of assuming any form at will and they change their forms (at will).

That bad featured child, that mighty bowman, soon after his birth, bowed down to his mother and also to his father and touched their feet. They then named him.

His mother said, "This child's head is like a Ghata (water pot)." They then gave him the name of Ghatotkacha.

Ghatotkacha was (very much) attached to the Pandavas. he became a great favourite with them, almost one of them.

Knowing that the period of her stay with the (Pandava) had come to an end, Hidimba making another agreement with them went away wherever she like.

Thereafter giant Ghatotkacha bowed down to the Pandavas with Kunti, and told them, O sinless great men, you may tell me what I have to do. Thus addressed by him, Kunti spoke to the scn of Bhima.

You are born in the race of Kuru and are the same as Bhima. You are the eldest son of five. O son! help us.

Vaishampayana said : Thus addressed by Kunti, he replied respectfully-Just as there are in this world Ravana and Meghanada who were very strong, so also I am gigantic and valorous among the men of this world; in fact I am greater than any.

That best Rakshasas, Ghatotkacha, promising to come when required for business, went away towards the north.

That great car warrior (Ghatotkacha) was created by the illustrious Indra as a proper antagonist of Karna of matchless power in consequence of the weapon (he gave him).