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
well-protected by Kuvera. And as soon as he beheld that river and that
unearthly lake, Kunti's son, Bhimasena of mighty strength became
exceedingly delighted. And agreeably to the mandate of their king,
hundreds and thousands of Rakshasas, named Krodhavasas, were guarding
that lake, wearing uniforms and armed with various weapons. And as that
repressor of foes, Kunti's son, the heroic Bhima of dreadful prowess,
clad in deer-skins and wearing golden armlets and equipped with weapons
and girding his sword on, was fearlessly proceeding, with the view of
gathering the lotus, those (Rakshasas) saw him and immediately began to
address each other, shouting forth, 'It behoveth you to enquire for the
errand on which this foremost of men, clad in deer skins, and equipped
with arms, hath come.' Then they all approached the effulgent Vrikodara
of mighty arms and asked, 'Who art thou? Thou shouldst answer our
questions. We see thee in the guise of an ascetic and yet armed with
weapons. O thou of mighty intelligence, do thou unfold unto us the
object with which thou hast come (hither).'"