The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa | Page 2

all sides round,
the mountains by the mouths of caves emitted those sounds in echo,
like a cow lowing. And as it was being shaken by the reports produced
by the lashing of the tail, the mountain with its summits tottering,
began to crumble all around. And overcoming that roaring of mad
elephants, the sounds of his tail spread over the varied slopes of the
mountain.
"On those sounds being heard the down of Bhima's body stood on end;
and he began to range that plantain wood, in search of those sounds.
And that one of mighty arms saw the monkey-chief in the plantain
wood, on an elevated rocky base. And he was hard to be looked at even
as the lightning-flash; and of coppery hue like that of the
lightning-flash: and endued with the voice of the lightning-flash; and
quick moving as the lightning-flash; and having his short flesh neck
supported on his shoulders; and with his waist slender in consequence
of the fullness of his shoulders. And his tail covered with long hair, and
a little bent at the end, was raised like unto a banner. And (Bhima) saw
Hanuman's head furnished with small lips, and coppery face and tongue,
and red ears, and brisk eyes, and bare white incisors sharpened at the
edge. And his head was like unto the shining moon; adorned with white
teeth within the mouth; and with mane scattered over, resembling a
heap of asoka flowers. And amidst the golden plantain trees, that one of
exceeding effulgence was lying like unto a blazing fire, with his radiant
body. And that slayer of foes was casting glances with his eyes
reddened with intoxication. And the intelligent Bhima saw that mighty
chief of monkeys, of huge body, lying like unto the Himalaya,
obstructing the path of heaven. And seeing him alone in that mighty
forest, the undaunted athletic Bhima, of long arms, approached him
with rapid strides, and uttered a loud shout like unto the thunder. And
at that shout of Bhima, beasts and birds became all alarmed. The

powerful Hanuman, however, opening his eyes partially looked at him
(Bhima) with disregard, with eyes reddened with intoxication. And
then smilingly addressing him, Hanuman said the following words, 'Ill
as I am, I was sleeping sweetly. Why hast thou awakened me? Thou
shouldst show kindness to all creatures, as thou hast reason. Belonging
to the animal species, we are ignorant of virtue. But being endued with
reason, men show kindness towards creatures. Why do then reasonable
persons like thee commit themselves to acts contaminating alike body,
speech, and heart, and destructive of virtue? Thou knowest not what
virtue is, neither hast thou taken council of the wise. And therefore it is
that from ignorance, and childishness thou destroyest the lower animals.
Say, who art thou, and what for hast thou come to the forest devoid of
humanity and human beings? And, O foremost of men, tell thou also,
whither thou wilt go to-day. Further it is impossible to proceed. Yonder
hills are inaccessible. O hero, save the passage obtained by the practice
of asceticism, there is no passage to that place. This is the path of the
celestials; it is ever impassable by mortals. Out of kindness, O hero, do
I dissuade thee. Do thou hearken unto my words. Thou canst not
proceed further from this place. Therefore, O lord, do thou desist. O
chief of men, to-day in very way thou art welcome to this place. If thou
think it proper to accept my words, do thou then, O best of men, rest
here, partaking of fruits and roots, sweet as ambrosia, and do not have
thyself destroyed for naught.'"
SECTION CXLVI
Vaisampayana said, "O represser of foes, hearing these words of the
intelligent monkey-chief, the heroic Bhima answered, 'Who art thou?
And why also hast thou assumed the shape of a monkey? It is a
Kshatriya--one of a race next to the Brahmanas--that asketh thee. And
he belongeth to the Kuru race and the lunar stock, and was borne by
Kunti in her womb, and is one of the sons of Pandu, and is the off
spring of the windgod, and is known by the name of Bhimasena.'
Hearing these words of the Kuru hero, Hanuman smiled, and that son
of the wind-god (Hanuman) spake unto that offspring of the windgod
(Bhimasena), saying, 'I am a monkey, I will not allow thee the passage
thou desirest. Better desist and go back. Do thou not meet with

destruction.' At this Bhimasena replied. 'Destruction at anything else do
I not ask thee about, O monkey. Do thou give me passage. Arise! Do
not come by grief at my hands.' Hanuman said, 'I have no strength to
rise; I am suffering from illness. If go thou must, do thou