The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa | Page 3

go by
overleaping me.' Bhima said, 'The Supreme Soul void of the properties
pervadeth a body all over. Him knowable alone by knowledge, I cannot
disregard. And therefore, will I not overleap thee. If I had not known
Him from Whom become manifest all creatures, I would have leapt
over thee and also the mountain, even as Hanuman had bounded over
the ocean.' Thereupon Hanuman said, 'Who is that Hanuman, who had
bounded over the ocean? I ask thee, O best of men. Relate if thou
canst.' Bhima replied, 'He is even my brother, excellent with every
perfection, and endued with intelligence and strength both of mind and
body. And he is the illustrious chief of monkeys, renowned in the
Ramayana. And for Rama's queen, that king of the monkeys even with
one leap crossed the ocean extending over a hundred yojanas. That
mighty one is my brother. I am equal unto him in energy, strength and
prowess and also in fight. And able am I to punish thee. So arise. Either
give me passage or witness my prowess to-day. If thou do not listen to
my bidding, I shall send thee to the abode of Yama.'"
Vaisampayana continued. "Then knowing him (Bhima) to be
intoxicated with strength, and proud of the might of his arms, Hanuman,
slighting him at heart, said the following words, 'Relent thou, O sinless
one. In consequence of age, I have no strength to get up. From pity for
me, do thou go, moving aside my tail.' Being thus addressed by
Hanuman, Bhima proud of the strength of his arms, took him for one
wanting in energy and prowess, and thought within himself, 'Taking
fast hold of the tail, will I send this monkey destitute of energy and
prowess, to the region of Yama.' Thereat, with a smile he slightingly
took hold of the tail with his left hand; but could not move that tail of
the mighty monkey. Then with both arms he pulled it, resembling the
pole reared in honour of Indra. Still the mighty Bhima could not raise
the tail with both his arms. And his eye-brows were contracted up, and
his eyes rolled, and his face was contracted into wrinkles and his body
was covered with sweat; and yet he could not raise it. And when after
having striven, the illustrious Bhima failed in raising the tail, he

approached the side of the monkey, and stood with a bashful
countenance. And bowing down, Kunti's son, with joined hands, spake
these words, 'Relent thou, O foremost of monkeys; and forgive me for
my harsh words. Art thou a Siddha, or a god, or a Gandharva, or a
Guhyaka? I ask thee out of curiosity. Tell me who thou art that hast
assumed the shape of monkey, if it be not a secret, O long-armed one,
and if I can well hear it. I ask thee as a disciple, and I, O sinless one,
seek thy refuge.' Thereupon Hanuman said, 'O represser of foes, even to
the extent of thy curiosity to know me, shall I relate all at length. Listen,
O son of Pandu! O lotus-eyed one, I was begotten by the windgod that
life of the world--upon the wife of Kesari. I am a monkey, by name
Hanuman. All the mighty monkey-kings, and monkey-chiefs used to
wait upon that son of the sun, Sugriva, and that son of Sakra, Vali. And,
O represser of foes, a friendship subsisted between me and Sugriva,
even as between the wind and fire. And for some cause, Sugriva, driven
out by his brother, for a long time dwelt with me at the Hri-syamukh.
And it came to pass that the mighty son of Dasaratha the heroic Rama,
who is Vishnu's self in the shape of a human being, took his birth in
this world. And in company with his queen and brother, taking his bow,
that foremost of bowmen with the view of compassing his father's
welfare, began to reside in the Dandaka forest. And from Janasthana,
that mighty Rakshasa monarch, the wicked Ravana, carried away his
(Rama's) queen by stratagem and force, deceiving, O sinless one, that
foremost of men, through the agency of a Rakshasa, Maricha, who
assumed the form of a deer marked with gem-like and golden spots.'"
SECTION CXLVII
"Hanuman said, 'And after his wife was carried away, that descendant
of Raghu, while searching with his brother for his queen, met, on the
summit of that mountain, with Sugriva, chief of the monkeys. Then a
friendship was contracted between him and the high-souled Raghava.
And the latter, having slain Vali installed Sugriva in the kingdom. And
having obtained the kingdom, Sugriva sent forth monkeys by hundreds
and by thousands in search of Sita. And, O best of men, I too with
innumerable