(Hidimva-vadha Parva)
"Vaisampayana said, 'Not far from the place where the Pandavas were asleep,
a Rakshasa by name Hidimva dwelt on the Sala tree. Possessed of great
energy and prowess, he was a cruel cannibal of visage that was grim in
consequence of his sharp and long teeth. He was now hungry and longing for
human flesh. Of long shanks and a large belly, his locks and beard were
both red in hue. His shoulders were broad like the neck of a tree; his
ears were like unto arrows, and his features were frightful. Of red eyes
and grim visage, the monster beheld, while casting his glances around, the
sons of Pandu sleeping in those woods. He was then hungry and longing for
human flesh. Shaking his dry and grizzly locks and scratching them with
his fingers pointed upwards, the large-mouthed cannibal repeatedly looked
at the sleeping sons of Pandu yawning wistfully at times. Of huge body and
great strength, of complexion like the colour of a mass of clouds, of
teeth long and sharp-pointed and face emitting a sort of lustre, he was
ever pleased with human flesh. And scenting the odour of man, he addressed
his sister, saying, "O sister, it is after a long time that such agreeable
food hath approached me! My mouth waters at the anticipated relish of such
food. My eight teeth, so sharp-pointed and incapable of being resisted by
any substance, I shall, today, after a long time, put into the most
delicious flesh. Attacking the human throat and even opening the veins, I
shall (today) drink a plentiful quantity of human blood, hot and fresh and
frothy. Go and ascertain who these are, lying asleep in these woods. The
strong scent of man pleaseth my nostrils. Slaughtering all these men,
bring them unto me. They sleep within my territory. Thou needest have no
fear from them. Do my bidding soon, for we shall then together eat their
flesh, tearing off their bodies at pleasure. And after feasting to our
fill on human flesh we shall then dance together to various measures!"
"'Thus addressed by Hidimva in those woods, Hidimva, the female cannibal,
at the command of her brother, went, O bull of Bharata's race, to the spot
where the Pandavas were. And on going there, she beheld the Pandavas
asleep with their mother and the invincible Bhimasena sitting awake. And
beholding Bhimasena unrivalled on earth for beauty and like unto a
vigorous Sala tree, the Rakshasa woman immediately fell in love with him,
and she said to herself, "This person of hue like heated gold and of
mighty arms, of broad shoulders as the lion, and so resplendent, of neck
marked with three lines like a conch-shell and eyes like lotus-petals, is
worthy of being my husband. I shall not obey the cruel mandate of my
brother. A woman's love for her husband is stronger than her affection for
her brother. If I slay him, my brother's gratification as well as mine
will only be momentary. But if I slay him not, I can enjoy with him for
ever and ever." Thus saying, the Rakshasa woman, capable of assuming form
at will, assumed an excellent human form and began to advance with slow
steps towards Bhima of mighty arms. Decked with celestial ornaments she
advanced with smiles on her lips and a modest gait, and addressing Bhima
said, "O bull among men, whence hast thou come here and who art thou? Who,
besides, are these persons of celestial beauty sleeping here? Who also, O
sinless one, is this lady of transcendent beauty sleeping so trustfully in
these woods as if she were lying in her own chamber? Dost thou not know
that this forest is the abode of a Rakshasa. Truly do I say, here liveth
the wicked Rakshasa called Hidimva. Ye beings of celestial beauty, I have
been sent hither even by that Rakshasa--my brother--with the cruel intent
of killing you for his food. But I tell thee truly that beholding thee
resplendent as a celestial, I would have none else for my husband save
thee! Thou who art acquainted with all duties, knowing this, do unto me
what is proper. My heart as well as my body hath been pierced by (the
shafts of) Kama (Cupid). O, as I am desirous of obtaining thee, make me
thine. O thou of mighty arms, I will rescue thee from the Rakshasa who
eateth human flesh. O sinless one, be thou my husband. We shall then live
on the breasts of mountains inaccessible to ordinary mortals. I can range
the air and I do so at pleasure. Thou mayest enjoy great felicity with me
in those regions."
"'Hearing these words of hers, Bhima replied, "O Rakshasa woman, who can,
like a Muni having all his passions under control, abandon his sleeping
mother and elder and younger brothers? What man like me would go to
gratify his lust, leaving his sleeping mother and brothers as food for a
Rakshasa?"
"'The Rakshasa woman replied, "O, awaken all these, I shall do unto you all
that is agreeable to thee! I shall certainly rescue you all from my
cannibal brother."
"'Bhima then said, "O Rakshasa woman, I will not, from fear of thy wicked
brother, awaken my brothers and mother sleeping comfortably in the woods.
O timid one, Rakshasas are never able to bear the prowess of my arms. And,
O thou of handsome eyes, neither men, nor Gandharvas, nor Yakshas are able
to bear my might. O amiable one, thou mayst stay or go as thou likest, or
mayst even send thy cannibal brother, O thou of delicate shape. I care
not."'"