Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/374

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360
MAHABHARATA

and her eyebrows and nose and eyes and ringlets all of the handsomest description, and her nails and complexion of the most delicate bue, and herself wearing every kind of ornament and attired in fine transparent robes. The cannibal, beholding her in that charming human form sus. pected that she was desirous of carnal intercourse and became indignant. And, O best of the Kurus, becoming angry with his sister, the Rakshasa dilated his eyes and addressing her said,-'What senseless creatures wishes to throw obstacles in my path now that I am so hungry? Hast thou become so senseless, O Hidimva, that thou fearest not my wrath ? Fie on thee, thou unchaste woman! Thou art even own desirous of carnal intercourse and solicitous of doing me an injury! Thou art aeady to sacrifice the good name and honour of all the Rakshasas, thy ancestors ! Those with whose aid thou wouldst do me this great injury. I will, even now, slay along with thee! Addressessing his sister thus, Hidim va, with eyes red with anger and teeth pressing against teeth, ran at her to kill her then and there. But be holding him rush at his sister, Bbima, that foremost of smiters, endued with great energy, rebuked him and said.-'Stop-Stop !'

Vaisampayava continued, And Bhima, beholding the Rakshasa angry with his sister, smiled (in derision), and addressing him.O Hidimva, what need is there for thee to awaken these persons sleeping so comfort. ably? O wicked cannibal, approach me first without loss of time ! Smite me first, it behoveth thee not to kill a woman, especially when she bath been sinned against instead of sinning 1 This girl is scarely responsible for her act in desiring intercourse with me!' She hath, in this, been moved by the deity of desire that prevadeth every living form I Thou wicked wretch and the most intamous of Rakshasas, thy sister came here at thy command ! Beholding my person, she desireth me. In that the timid girl doth no injury to thee. It is the deity of desire that hath offended. It behoveth thee not to injure her for this offence! O wicked wretch, thou shalt not slay a woman when I am here! Come with me, O cannibal, and fight with myself singly 1 Singly shall I send thee to-day to the abode of Yama (Pluto)! O Rakshasa let thy head to-day, pressed by my might, be pounded to pieces, as though pressed by the tread of a migbty elephant. Slain by me on the field of battle let herons and hawks and jackals tear in glee thy limbs to-day on the ground. In a moment I shall to-day make this forest destitute of Rakshasas,-this forest that had so long been pulled by thee, devourer of human beings! Thy sister, O Rakshasa, shall to-day behold thyself, huge though thou art like a mountain, like a huge elephant repeatedly dragged by a lion, O worst of Rakshasas, thyself slain by me, men ranging these woods will henceforth do so safely and witbout fear!"