And the ruddy geese, and the gallinules and the ducks and
the _karandavas_ and the _plavas_ and the parrots and the male _kokilas_
and the herons in confusion flew in all directions, while some proud
elephants urged by their mates, as also some lions and elephants in
rage, flew at Bhimasena. And as they were distracted at heart through
fear, these fierce animals discharging urine and dung, set up loud yells
with gapping mouths. Thereupon the illustrious and graceful son of the
wind-god, the mighty Pandava, depending upon the strength of his arms,
began to slay one elephant with another elephant and one lion with
another lion while he despatched the others with slaps. And on being
struck by Bhima the lions and the tigers and the leopards, in fright
gave loud cries and discharged urine and dung. And after having
destroyed these the handsome son of Pandu, possessed of mighty strength,
entered into the forest, making all sides resound with his shouts. And
then the long-armed one saw on the slopes of the Gandhamadana a
beautiful plantain tree spreading over many a _yojana_. And like unto a
mad lion, that one of great strength proceeded amain towards that tree
breaking down various plants. And that foremost of strong
persons--Bhima--uprooting innumerable plaintain trunks equal in height
to many palm-trees (placed one above another), cast them on all sides
with force. And that highly powerful one, haughty like a male lion, sent
up shouts. And then he encountered countless beasts of gigantic size,
and stags, and monkeys, and lions, and buffaloes, and aquatic animals.
And what with the cries of these, and what with the shouts of Bhima,
even the beasts and birds that were at distant parts of the wood, became
all frightened. And hearing those cries of beasts and birds, myriads of
aquatic fowls suddenly rose up on wetted wings. And seeing these fowls
of water, that bull among the Bharatas proceeded in that direction; and
saw a vast and romantic lake. And that fathomless lake was, as it were,
being fanned by the golden plantain trees on the coast, shaken by the
soft breezes. And immediately descending into the lake abounding in
lilies and lotuses, he began to sport lustily like unto a mighty
maddened elephant. Having thus sported there for a long while, he of
immeasurable effulgence ascended, in order to penetrate with speed into
that forest filled with trees. Then the Pandava winded with all his
might his loud-blowing shell. And striking his arms with his hands, the
mighty Bhima made all the points of heaven resound. And filled with the
sounds of the shell, and with the shouts of Bhimasena, and also with the
reports produced by the striking of his arms, the caves of the mountain
seemed as if they were roaring. And hearing those loud arm-strokes, like
unto the crashing of thunder, the lions that were slumbering in the
caves, uttered mighty howls. And being terrified by the yelling of the
lions, the elephants, O Bharata, sent forth tremendous roars, which
filled the mountain. And hearing those sounds emitted, and knowing also
Bhimasena to be his brother, the ape Hanuman, the chief of monkeys, with
the view of doing good to Bhima, obstructed the path leading to heaven.
And thinking that he (Bhima) should not pass that way, (Hanuman) lay
across the narrow path, beautified by plantain trees, obstructing it for
the sake of the safety of Bhima. With the object that Bhima might not
come by curse or defeat, by entering into the plantain wood, the ape
Hanuman of huge body lay down amidst the plantain trees, being overcome
with drowsiness. And he began to yawn, lashing his long tail, raised
like unto the pole consecrated to Indra, and sounding like thunder. And
on 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 every 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.'"