Janamejaya said: -
1-2. How long did my grandsire, - the high-souled sons of Pandu, all of whom were endued with unrivalled prowess, dwell in the hermitage of Arstisena, situated in the mountain Gandhamadana? And (during their stay there) what these exceedingly powerful ones endowed wit manliness and prowess do?
3. Tell me, O excellent one, what these high-souled ones those heroes of the worlds subsist upon, while dwelling there?
4. Narrate to me also in detail of the prowess of Bhimasena and what that mighty armed one did in the mountain Himalaya.
5. O, the most excellent of the Brahmanas, was there no other fight with the Yakshas? Did they meet with Vaisravana?
6. Surely, as Arstisena said, the Lord of wealth, visits that place. O you, whose only wealth is devotion, I am desirous of hearing of all this in detail. I am not yet satisfied with hearing of all their movements.
Vaishampayana said: -
7. The most exalted on the Bharatas, having heard the instructions of that one of incomparable energy (Arstisena), began always to abide by them accordingly.
8. Living on the food eaten by the sages and luscious fruits and the flesh of the deer killed by unpoisoned arrows.
9. And various kinds of pure honey, the Pandavas - the most exalted of the Bharatas - dwelt in the Himalayas.
10. Living in this way, they passed the fifth year listening to the various stories told by Lomasha
11. O Lord, Ghatotkacha together with all the Rakshasas had before this departed saying “I shall appear when occasion arises.”
12. Thus, witnessing many wonders, these high-souled ones (Pandavas) spent several months in the hermitage of Arstisena.
13. And when the Pandavas were sporting and playing there at ease, several contented and highly fortunate sages and Charanas,
14. Of pure souls and observant of vows came there to see them. And those most exalted to the Bharatas talked with them on divine matters.
15. When a few days had thus passed away, it so happened that Suparna carried off a mighty Nag (serpent) of great prosperity who lived in the great lake.
16. (In consequence of which) the mighty mountain began to tremble and many huge trees were crushed. And the Pandavas together with all creatures witnessed that marvellous scene.
Vaishampayana said: -
17. Then from the top of that excellent mountain several kinds of auspicious and fragrant flowers were carried along by the wind towards the Pandavas.
18. And the Pandavas together with their friends and the renowned Draupadi beheld (those) heavenly flowers of five colours.
19. And when Bhimasena of mighty arms was comfortably seated on a lonely spot on the mountain, Krishna addressed him thus: -
20-21. “O the best of the Bharatas, it is witnessed by all the creatures that these flowers of five colours, driven by the force of the wind raised by Suparna, are falling (with a crushing force) towards the river Ashvaratha. (In the forest of) Khandava your high-souled brother (Arjuna), true to his promise baffled (the attempts) of the Gandharvas, the Uragyas, the Rakshasas and even of Vasava (Indra) and slew the furious Mayavis (who can assume any shape they choose) and also obtained the bow Gandiva.”
23. Thou too, are possessed of as indomitable spirit and mighty arms as the powerful Sakra himself.
24. (Therefore) O Bhimasena, let all the Rakshasas, terrified with the force of your mighty arms, fly towards the ten cardinal points, leaving this mountain.
25. Then let your friends devoid of all fear and affliction behold the auspicious top of this excellent mountain decorated with variegated flowers.
26. O Bhima, I have cherished this thought in my mind for a long time; and I have a mind to behold the summit of this mountain protected by the force of your arms.
27. Thereupon, the tormentor of his foes, Bhimasena of mighty arms, considering himself as conjured by Draupadi, looked like an wounded bull of excellent breed and could not brook (her remarks).
28-30. Then that mighty Pandava having the gait of a lion or a bull, graceful, having the splendour of gold, high-minded, powerful, proud, sensitive, heroic, heaving red eyes, broad-shouldered, possessed of the strength of mad elephants, endowed with lionine teeth and a broad neck, tall as a young Sala tree, generous hearted, of symmetrical proportions, of shell-like neck and of mighty arms, took up his bow plaited at the back with gold and also his sword and arrow case.
31. And that mighty one proud as a lion and looking like a mad elephant, rushed towards that cliff tree from all fear and affliction.
32. And all the creatures beheld him appearing like a lion or a maddened bull furnished with bows and arrows.
33. And the Pandava devoid of all fear and affliction, proceeded to the mountain furnished with his club to the great delight of Draupadi.
34. Neither fatigue, nor fear, nor lassitude nor the malice (of others) took possession of that son of Pritha and god of the wind.
35. Getting to a pass affording passage to a single individual only, that one of great prowess, ascended that ragged and terrible-looking summit, high as several palm trees.
36. Causing the delight of the Kinnaras, Mahanagas, sages and the Rakshasas, the best of the Bharatas, endowed with gigantic strength, ascended the summit of the mountain,
37. And beheld therefrom the abode of Vaisravana adorned with golden and crystal buildings,
38. Encircled on all sides by golden walls, having the lustre of all gems, containing gardens of all sorts,
39. Higher than a mountain peak, adorned with ramparts and towers, graced with doorways, gates and rows of flags,
40. And beautiful with coquettish damsels dancing around and ornamented with flags fluttered by the wind.
41. Leaning against the end of his bow with banded arm, he stood beholding the city of Kubera with great sorrow (caused by the remembrance of his own fortune).
42. A pleasurable breeze was blowing there, having its origin in the Gandhamadana, gladdening all creatures and carrying sweet odours of all kinds.
43. There were many superbly beautiful trees beyond all thought, decorated with variegated colour and bearing graceful blossoms.
44. That best of the Bharatas then beheld the palace of Kubera covered on all sides with heaps of gems and decorated with variegated garlands.
45. There stood Bhimasena of mighty-arms devoid of all thoughts of life, firm as a rock, with club, sword and bow in his hand.
46. Then blowing his conch which made the hair of his adversaries stand on the end and twangling his bow, striking his arms with his palms, he struck terror into the hearts of all the creatures.
47. (Infuriated) at this, the Yakshas, the Rakshasas and the Gandharvas with their hair standing erect, rushed towards the Pandava, following the direction of these sounds.
48. Then the maces, clubs, swords, spears, axes and the javelins carried in their arms by the Rakshasas, began to blaze.
49-52. And, O Bharata, when the fight took place between them, Bhima cut off the darts, javelins and axes hurled by those possessing great powers of illusion, with his arrows of tremendous force. And that most powerful one, pierced with his arrows the bodies of those roaring Rakshasas who were on the ground and of those that were in the sky. And that one of great prowess was drenched in that great deluge of blood gushing and flowing on all sides from the bodies of the Rakshasas with maces and clubs in their hands,
53. And the heads and the bodies of the Rakshasas were seen cut off and mangled by the weapons hurled by the force of Bhima's arms.
54. All the creatures, then, saw the good-looking Pandava hemmed in by the Rakshasas and appearing like the sun enveloped with clouds.
55. And that mighty-armed and powerful one (Bhima) of true prowess covered all (the Rakshasas) with his arrows fatal to his enemies, as the sun shrouds all the creatures with his rays.
56. Although uttering both loud yells and cries of victory, the Rakshasas did not see Bhima deprived of senses.
57. And the Yakshas, with their bodies mangled all over, terrified by the fear of Bhimasena, began to utter frightful cries of distress leaving aside their weapons.
58. And then owing to the fear of that wielder of a strong bow, Bhimasena, they fled southwards, forsaking their maces, spears, swords, clubs and axes.
59. On that side, stood the mighty-armed and broad-chested Rakshasa, Maniman, the friend of Kubera, armed with darts and maces.
60. Displaying his masterdom and manliness, he, of gigantic strength, seeing them taking to heels, addressed them smilingly thus: -
61. “Going to the abode of Vaisravana, how would you tell the lord of wealth that vast numbers (of Yakshas) have been slain by a single man.”
62. Having addressed them thus, that Rakshasa, holding in the hands, clubs, javelins and maces, rushed against the Pandava.
63. Beholding him approach with the fury of a maddened elephant, Bhimasena pierced his sides with three choice arrows.
64. The mighty Maniman too, in wrath, taking and brandishing a tremendous mace, hurled it at him.
65. Bhimasena too, on his part, beset, with many arrows, sharpened on stones, that tremendous and dreadful mace in the sky resembling a lightning flash.
66. But all these arrows though discharged with force, on reaching the mace fell back and could not check its onward career.
67. And that spirited one of dreadful prowess (at last) baffled the attack (of the Rakshasa) by resorting to his skill in mace-fighting.
68. At this interval, that intelligent Rakshasa assailed (Bhima) with a dreadful iron club furnished with a golden handle.
69. And that tremendous (club) emitting flames and sending forth dreadful roars pierced suddenly the right arm of Bhima and then fell to the ground.
70. (Thus) severely wounded, that great bowman, the exceedingly powerful son of Kunti, with eyes rolling in wrath, took up his mace.
71. And then taking up his iron mace termed Shaika, in-laid with plates of gold and increasing the fear of his enemies, Bhima, uttering yells,
72. Rushed with all speed against the exceedingly powerful Maniman, who too, taking a mighty and blazing dart,
73. Hurled it with force at Bhimasena with tremendous roars; and that adept at mace-fighting, breaking that dart with the end of his mace.
74-75. Rushed to kill Maniman, as Garuda (does) to kill the serpent. And then he (Bhima) of mighty arms advancing ahead in the field, suddenly jumped in the air and whirling his mace, hurled (at Maniman) uttering yells. And like the thunderbolt hurled by Indra, that (mace) like a pest, with the speed of the wind,
76-77. Killing the Rakshasa reached ground. And all the creatures beheld that exceedingly powerful Rakshasa slain by Bhima as a bull is slain by a lion. Seeing him slain on the ground the surviving Rakshasa, uttering loud cries of distress, went towards the East.
Thus ends the hundred and sixtieth Chapter, in the Yaksha Yuddha of the Vana Parva.