"Bhima said, 'I am the son of Pandu, and next by birth to Yudhishthira
the just, and my name is Bhimasena. O Rakshasas, I have come with my
brothers to the jujube named Visala. At that place, Panchali saw an
excellent Saugandhika lotus, which, of a certainty, was carried thither
by the wind from this region. She wisheth to have those flowers in
abundance. Know ye, ye Rakshasas, that I am engaged in fulfilling the
desire of my wedded wife of faultless features, and have come hither to
procure the flowers.' Thereat the Rakshasas said, 'O foremost of men,
this spot is dear unto Kuvera, and it is his sporting region. Men
subject to death cannot sport here. O Vrikodara, the celestial sages,
and the gods taking the permission of the chief of the Yakshas, drink of
this lake, and sport herein. And, O Pandava, the Gandharvas and the
Apsaras also divert themselves in this lake. That wicked person who,
disregarding the lord of treasures, unlawfully attempteth to sport here,
without doubt, meeteth with destruction. Disregarding him, thou seekest
to take away the lotuses from this place by main force. Why then dost
thou say that thou art the brother of Yudhishthira the just? First,
taking the permission of the lord of Yakshas, do thou drink of this lake
and take away the flowers. If thou dost not do this, thou shall not be
able even to glance at a single lotus.' Bhimasena said, 'Ye Rakshasas, I
do not see the lord of wealth here. And even if I did see that mighty
king, I would not beseech him: Kshatriyas never beseech (any body). This
is the eternal morality; and I by no means wish to forsake the Kshatriya
morality. And, further this lotus-lake hath sprung from the cascades of
the mountain; it hath not been excavated in the mansion of Kuvera.
Therefore it belongeth equally to all creatures with Vaisravana. In
regard to a thing of such a nature, who goeth to beseech another?'"
Vaisampayana said, "Having said this unto the Rakshasas, the
mighty-armed and exceedingly unforbearing Bhimasena of great strength
plunged into the lotus-lake. Thereat that powerful one was forbidden by
the Rakshasas, saying, 'Do not do this;' and they from all sides began
to abuse him in anger. But slighting these Rakshasas, that mighty one of
dreadful prowess plunged (farther and farther). Now they all prepared
for opposing him. And with eyes rolling, they upraised their arms, and
rushed in wrath at Bhimasena, exclaiming, 'Seize him! Bind him! Hew him!
We shall cook Bhimasena, and eat him up!' Thereupon that one of great
force, taking his ponderous and mighty mace inlaid with golden plates,
like unto the mace of Yama himself, turned towards those, and then said,
'Stay!' At this, they darted at him with vehemence, brandishing lances,
and axes, and other weapons. And wishing to destroy Bhima, the dreadful
and fierce Krodhavasas surrounded Bhima on all sides. But that one,
being endued with strength, had been begotten by Vayu in the womb of
Kunti; and he was heroic and energetic, and the slayer of foes, and ever
devoted to virtue and truth, and incapable of being vanquished by
enemies through prowess. Accordingly this high-souled Bhima defeating
all the manoeuvres of the foes, and breaking their arms, killed on the
banks of the lake more than a hundred, commencing with the foremost. And
then witnessing his prowess and strength, and the force of his skill,
and also the might of his arms, and unable to bear (the onset), those
prime heroes all of a sudden fled on all sides in bands.
"Beaten and pierced by Bhimasena, those Krodhavasas quitted the field of
battle, and in confusion quickly fled towards the Kailasa cliff,
supporting themselves in the sky. Having thus by the exercise of his
prowess defeated those hosts, even as Sakra had defeated the armies of
Daityas and Danavas, he (Bhima), now that he had conquered the enemy,
plunged into the lake and began to gather the lotuses, with the object
of gaining his purpose. And as he drank of the waters, like unto nectar,
his energy and strength were again fully restored; and he fell to
plucking and gathering Saugandhika lotuses of excellent fragrance. On
the other hand, the Krodhavasas, being driven by the might of Bhima and
exceedingly terrified, presented themselves before the lord of wealth,
and gave an exact account of Bhima's prowess and strength in fight.
Hearing their words, the god (Kuvera) smiled and then said, 'Let Bhima
take for Krishna as many lotuses as he likes. This is already known to
me.' Thereupon taking the permission of the lord of wealth, those
(Rakshasas) renouncing anger, went to that foremost of the Kurus, and in
that lotus-lake beheld Bhima alone, disporting in delight."