The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa | Page 8

this be thy wish, that going to
Varanavata, I may destroy the insignificant sons of Dhritarashtra--even
this will I immediately do. Or if this be thy wish that, that city may be
ground by me with rocks, or that I may bind Duryodhana and bring him
before thee, even this will I do to-day, O thou of mighty strength.'"
Vaisampayana said, "Hearing those words of that high-souled one,
Bhimasena with a cheerful heart answered Hanuman, saying, 'O
foremost of monkeys, I take all this as already performed by thee. Good
happen to thee. O mighty-armed one! I ask of thee this,--be thou well
pleased with me. O powerful one, on thy having become our protector,
the Pandavas have found help. Even by thy prowess shall we conquer

all foes.' Thus addressed, Hanuman said unto Bhimasena, 'From
fraternal feeling and affection, I will do good unto thee, by diving into
the army of thy foes copiously furnished with arrows and javelins. And,
O highly powerful one, O hero, when thou shall give leonine roars,
then shall I with my own, add force to shouts. Remaining on the
flagstaff of Arjuna's car will I emit fierce shouts that will damp the
energy of thy foes. Thereby ye will slay them easily.' Having said this
unto Pandu's son, and also pointed him out the way. Hanuman vanished
at that spot."
SECTION CLI
Vaisampayana said, "When that foremost of monkeys had gone away,
Bhima, the best of strong men, began to range the huge Gandhamadana
along that path. And he went on, thinking of Hanuman's body and
splendour unrivalled on earth, and also of the greatness and dignity of
Dasaratha's son. And proceeding in search of the place filled with
lotuses of that kind, Bhima beheld romantic woods, and groves, and
rivers, and lakes graced with trees bearing blossoms, and flowery
woodlands variegated with various flowers. And, O Bharata, he beheld
herds of mad elephants besmeared with mud, resembling masses of
pouring clouds. And that graceful one went on with speed, beholding
by the wayside woods wherein there stood with their mates deer of
quick glances, holding the grass in their mouths. And fearless from
prowess, Bhimasena, as if invited by the breeze-shaken trees of the
forest ever fragrant with flowers, bearing delicate coppery twigs,
plunged into the mountainous regions inhabited by buffaloes, bears and
leopards. And on the way, he passed by lotus-lakes haunted by
maddened black-bees, having romantic descents and woods, and on
account of the presence of lotus-buds, appearing as if they had joined
their hands (before Bhima). And having for his provisions on the
journey the words of Draupadi, Bhima went on with speed, his mind
and sight fixed on the blooming slopes of the mountain. And when the
sun passed the meridian, he saw in the forest scattered over with deer, a
mighty river filled with fresh golden lotuses. And being crowded with
swans and Karandavas, and graced with Chakravakas, the river looked
like a garland of fresh lotuses put on by the mountain. And in that river

that one of great strength found the extensive assemblage of
Saugandhika lotuses, effulgent as the rising sun, and delightful to
behold. And beholding it, Pandu's son thought within himself that his
object had been gained, and also mentally presented himself before his
beloved worn out by exile."
SECTION CLII
Vaisampayana said, "Having reached that spot, Bhimasena saw in the
vicinity of the Kailasa cliff, that beautiful lotus lake surrounded by
lovely woods, and guarded by the Rakshasas. And it sprang from the
cascades contiguous to the abode of Kuvera. And it was beautiful to
behold, and was furnished with a wide-spreading shade and abounded
in various trees and creepers and was covered with green lilies. And
this unearthly lake was filled with golden lotuses, and swarmed with
diverse species of birds. And its banks were beautiful and devoid of
mud. And situated on the rocky elevation this expanse of excellent
water was exceedingly fair. And it was the wonder of the world and
healthful and of romantic sight. In that lake the son of Kunti saw, the
water of ambrosial taste and cool and light and clear and fresh; and the
Pandava drank of it profusely. And that unearthly receptacle of waters
was covered with celestial Saugandhika lotuses, and was also spread
over with beautiful variegated golden lotuses of excellent fragrance
having graceful stalks of lapis lazulis. And swayed by swans and
Karandavas, these lotuses were scattering fresh farina. And this lake
was the sporting region of the high-souled Kuvera, the king of the
Yakshas. And it was held in high regard by the Gandharvas, the
Apsaras and the celestials. And it was frequented by the celestial sages
and the Yakshas and the Kimpurushas and the Rakshasas and the
Kinnaras; and it was