Vaishampayana said: -
1. O best of the Bharata race, Bhima then began to gather those rare, celestials, variegated and fresh flowers in profusion.
2. Then rose suddenly a high and violent wind, piercing to the touch and blowing gravels and stones.
3. Fearful meteors began to fall with thundering roars. Being enveloped by darkness, the sun became pale and his rays were obscured.
4. As Bhima displayed his prowess dreadful sounds of explosions rang through the sky; the earth began to tremble and dust fell in showers.
5. Beasts and birds cried in shrilled voices; everything was enveloped in darkness and nothing could be seen.
6. Other evil omens also appeared. Saying this strange phenomenon, the son of Dharma, Yudhishthira.
7-8. That foremost of speakers, thus spoke, “Who will overcome us? O Pandavas, who are always invincible in battle, be blessed. Arm yourself. From what I see I am of opinion that time has come near, when we are to display our prowess.” Having said this, the king looked around.
9-10. Having not seen Bhima, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, that chastiser of foes, asked Krishna (Draupadi) and the twins who were near by, about his brother Bhima of fearful deeds, “O Panchala princess, is Bhima intent upon performing some great act?
11-12. Or has that hero who delights in daring deeds already achieved some great feat? These omens appear on all sides, indicating a great battle and portending some fearful danger.” When he said this, the intelligent Krishna, (Draupadi) of sweet smiles, his beloved wife, thus spoke to him to remove his anxiety.
13. “O king, the golden lotus that was brought here by the wind, I showed to Bhimasena out of love. I also told that hero “If you can find.
14. More of these flowers, get all of them (for me); and soon come back.” O son of Pandu, that mighty armed hero with the desire of gratifying my wish.
15. Has perhaps, O king, gone towards the north-east to get them.” Having been thus addressed by her, the king thus spoke to the twins.
16. “We must all soon go along the path Vrikodara (Bhima) has gone. Let the Rakshasas carry all those Brahmanas who are fatigued and who are weak.
17. O Ghatotkacha, you are like a celestial; carry Krishna (Draupadi). In my opinion and it is quite evident, Bhima has entered (the forest).
18. It is long since he has gone away; he resembles the wind in speed. In leaping over the grounds, he is like the son of Vinata (Garuda).
19. He will even leap into the sky and come down at will. O night-rangers, we shall follow him through your prowess.
20-22. He will never first offend the Siddhas, learned in the Vedas.” O best of the Bharata race, saying “Be it so,” the son of Hidimba (Ghatotkacha) and the other Rakshasas, who knew the place where the lotus-lake of Kuber was situated, cheerfully started with Lomasha, carrying the Pandavas and many of the Brahmanas. Going with great speed, they saw the blessed forest.
23. Adorned with golden lotuses and other lilies and surrounded by beautiful woods. On its shores they saw the high-souled and energetic Bhima.
24. And (they saw) also the slain Yakshas of large eyes, with their bodies, eyes, arms and thighs smashed and their heads crushed.
25-26. On seeing the high-souled Bhima standing on the shore of that lake in angry mood and with steadfast eyes and biting lips, with his mace upraised by his two hands, like Yama with his mace at the universal dissolution.
27. (Having seen him) Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) again and again embraced him and thus spoke to him in these sweet words “O son of Kunti, what have you done?
28. Be blessed; if you wish to do good to me, you should never again commit such rash acts, nor offend the celestials.”
29. Having thus addressed that son of Kunti (Bhima) and taken those flowers, those celestials-like heroes sported in that lake.
30. (When they were thus sporting) the huge-bodied guards of that garden, armed with rocks as their weapons came to that place.
31. Seeing Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) and the great Rishi Lomasha and Nakula and Sahadeva and also the other foremost of Brahmanas.
32. They all, O descendent of Bharata, bowed down their heads to them in humility. Being pacified by Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) the Rakshasas were gratified.
33. With the permission of Kubera, those foremost of the Kurus pleasantly lived for sometime, at that spot on the slopes of the Gandhamadana (mountain) awaiting for Vivatsa (Arjuna).
Thus ends the hundred and fifty-fifth chapter, gathering of the golden lotuses, in the Tirthayatra of the Vana Parva.