ādiparva - Chapter-25

आदिपर्व - ādiparva

अध्यायः – 25 ::Chapter-25

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
भीम उवाच॥ स्मरन्ति वैरं रक्षांसि मायामाश्रित्य मोहिनीम् । हिडिम्बे व्रज पन्थानं त्वं वै भ्रातृनिषेवितम् ॥ 1॥ युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥ क्रुद्धोऽपि पुरुषव्याघ्र भीम मा स्म स्त्रियं वधीः । शरीरगुप्त्याभ्यधिकं धर्मं गोपय पाण्डव ॥ 2॥ वधाभिप्रायमायान्तमवधीस्त्वं महाबलम् । रक्षसस्तस्य भगिनी किं नः क्रुद्धा करिष्यति ॥ 3॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ हिडिम्बा तु ततः कुन्तीमभिवाद्य कृताञ्जलिः । युधिष्ठिरं च कौन्तेयमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 4॥ आर्ये जानासि यद्दुःखमिह स्त्रीणामनङ्गजम् । तदिदं मामनुप्राप्तं भीमसेनकृतं शुभे ॥ 5॥ सोढं तत्परमं दुःखं मया कालप्रतीक्षया । सोऽयमभ्यागतः कालो भविता मे सुखाय वै ॥ 6॥ मया ह्युत्सृज्य सुहृदः स्वधर्मं स्वजनं तथा । वृतोऽयं पुरुषव्याघ्रस्तव पुत्रः पतिः शुभे ॥ 7॥ वरेणापि तथानेन त्वया चापि यशस्विनि । तथा ब्रुवन्ती हि तदा प्रत्याख्याता क्रियां प्रति ॥ 8॥ त्वं मां मूढेति वा मत्वा भक्ता वानुगतेति वा । भर्त्रानेन महाभागे संयोजय सुतेन ते ॥ 9॥ तमुपादाय गच्छेयं यथेष्टं देवरूपिणम् । पुनश्चैवागमिष्यामि विश्रम्भं कुरु मे शुभे ॥ 10॥ युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥ एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वं हिडिम्बे नात्र संशयः । स्थातव्यं तु त्वया धर्मे यथा ब्रूयां सुमध्यमे ॥ 11॥ स्नातं कृताह्निकं भद्रे कृतकौतुकमङ्गलम् । भीमसेनं भजेथास्त्वं प्रागस्तगमनाद्रवेः ॥ 12॥ अहःसु विहरानेन यथाकामं मनोजवा । अयं त्वानयितव्यस्ते भीमसेनः सदा निशि ॥ 13॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ तथेति तत्प्रतिज्ञाय भीमसेनोऽब्रवीदिदम्॥ शृणु राक्षसि सत्येन समयं ते वदाम्यहम् ॥ 14 यावत्कालेन भवति पुत्रस्योत्पादनं शुभे॥ तावत्कालं चरिष्यामि त्वया सह सुमध्यमे। 15 वैशम्पायन उवाच। सा तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय हिडिम्बा राक्षसी तथा॥ गताऽहनि निवेशेषु भोज्यं राजार्हमानयत्। 16 शैलशृङ्गेषु रम्येषु देवतायतनेषु च॥ मृगपक्षिविघृष्टेषु रमणीयेषु सर्वेषु। 17 कृत्वा सा परमं रूपं सर्वाभरणभूषिता॥ संजल्पन्ती सुमधुरं रमयामास पाण्डवम्। 18 प्रजज्ञे राक्षसी पुत्रं भीमसेनान्महाबलम् ॥ विरूपाक्षं महावक्त्रं शङ्कुकर्णं विभीषणम् । भीमरूपं सुताम्रोष्ठं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रं महाबलम् ॥ 19॥ महेष्वासं महावीर्यं महासत्त्वं महाभुजम् । महाजवं महाकायं महामायमरिंदमम् ॥ 20॥ अमानुषं मानुषजं भीमवेगं महाबलम् । यः पिशाचानतीवान्यान्बभूवाति स मानुषान् ॥ 21॥ बालोऽपि यौवनं प्राप्तो मानुषेषु विशां पते । सर्वास्त्रेषु परं वीरः प्रकर्षमगमद्बली ॥ 22॥ सद्यो हि गर्भं राक्षस्यो लभन्ते प्रसवन्ति च । कामरूपधराश्चैव भवन्ति बहुरूपिणः ॥ 23॥ प्रणम्य विकचः पादावगृह्णात्स पितुस्तदा । मातुश्च परमेष्वासस्तौ च नामास्य चक्रतुः ॥ 24॥ घटभासोत्कच इति मातरं सोऽभ्यभाषत । अभवत्तेन नामास्य घटोत्कच इति स्म ह ॥ 25॥ अनुरक्तश्च तानासीत्पाण्डवान्स घटोत्कचः । तेषां च दयितो नित्यमात्मभूतो बभूव सः ॥ 26॥ संवाससमयो जीर्ण इत्यभाषत तं ततः । हिडिम्बा समयं कृत्वा स्वां गतिं प्रत्यपद्यत ॥ 27॥ कृत्यकाल उपस्थास्ये पितृनिति घटोत्कचः । आमन्त्र्य राक्षसश्रेष्ठः प्रतस्थे चोत्तरां दिशम् ॥ 28॥	28 (1661)
Vaisampayana said, 'Bhima, seeing Hidimba follow them, spoke to her, saying, 'O Hidimba, the Rakshasas take revenge on their foes through deceptions that are hard to detect. So go the way your brother has gone.' Then, Yudhishthira, noticing Bhima's fury, said, 'O Bhima, mighty among men, no matter how angry you are, do not harm a woman. O Pandava, upholding virtue is a greater duty than just preserving life. You have already defeated Hidimva, who intended to kill us. This woman is merely the sister of that Rakshasa; even if she is angry, what harm can she do to us?' Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Hidimba, respectfully greeting Kunti and her son Yudhishthira, said with her hands joined, 'O honourable lady, you understand the suffering women endure from love. These pains, caused by Bhimasena, torment me. I have endured them, waiting for the moment when your son could alleviate them. That moment has come, and I hope to find happiness. Leaving behind my friends and family and the customs of my people, I have chosen your son, this brave man, as my husband. Truly, O noble lady, if I am rejected by him or by you, I can no longer bear this life. So, O fair one, I ask for your mercy, considering me either foolish or your devoted servant. Please unite me with your son, my husband.' Hearing Hidimva’s words, Yudhishthira replied, 'Indeed, it is as you say, Hidimba. There is no doubt about it. But, you with your slender waist, must act according to your words. Bhima will, once he bathes, prays, and completes his usual rituals, pay his attention to you until sunset. Enjoy your time with him during the day, you who are swift-minded! However, you must bring Bhima back here each nightfall.' Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Bhima, agreeing to what Yudhishthira said, spoke to Hidimba, saying, 'Hear me, O woman of the Rakshasa! I promise to stay with you until you have a son.' Hidimba responded, 'So be it,' and took Bhima with her, moving swiftly through the mountains, adorned with nature's beauty and vibrant with the songs of birds. She took on a lovely form, shimmering with ornaments, and often sang beautifully. Hidimva played with Bhima, seeking to make him joyful. Gifted with swiftness, she enjoyed her time with him until she became pregnant and gave birth to a powerful son with Bhima. The child had fierce eyes, a wide mouth, pointed ears, and was a fearsome sight. With lips the colour of copper, sharp teeth, and a loud roar, he possessed mighty arms, great strength, and incredible skill as an archer. He had a long nose, broad chest, and impressive calves, moving with remarkable speed and strength, showing no trace of humanity in his appearance, despite being born of man. He surpassed all Pisachas, similar tribes, and Rakshasas in both strength and prowess. And, oh king, although he was just a child, he matured into a young man the moment he was born. The mighty hero quickly became skilled in the use of all weapons. The Rakshasa women give birth the very day they conceive, and they can change forms at will, constantly altering their appearances. This bald-headed child, a remarkable archer, after his birth, bowed to his mother and touched both her feet and his father's. His parents then named him. His mother noted that his head was bald like a water pot, so they called him Ghatotkacha, meaning 'pot-headed.' Ghatotkacha, who was deeply loyal to the Pandavas, quickly became a cherished part of their group, nearly one of them. Then Hidimba recognized that her time with her husband had come to an end. She bid farewell to the Pandavas and left to follow her own path. Ghatotkacha, the greatest of the Rakshasas, assured his father he would return when needed, saluted them, and went northward.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ ते वनेन वनं वीरा घ्नन्तो मृगगणान्बहून् । अपक्रम्य ययू राजंस्त्वरमाणा महारथाः ॥ 1॥ मत्स्यांस्त्रिगर्तान्पाञ्चालान्कीचकानन्तरेण च । रमणीयान्वनोद्देशान्प्रेक्षमाणाः सरांसि च ॥ 2॥ जटाः कृत्वात्मनः सर्वे वल्कलाजिनवाससः । सह कुन्त्या महात्मानो बिभ्रतस्तापसं वपुः ॥ 3॥ क्वचिद्वहन्तो जननीं त्वरमाणा महारथाः । क्वचिच्छन्देन गच्छन्तस्ते जग्मुः प्रसभं पुनः ॥ 4॥ ब्राह्मं वेदमधीयाना वेदाङ्गानि च सर्वशः । नीतिशास्त्रं च धर्मज्ञा ददृशुस्ते पितामहम् ॥ 5॥ तेऽभिवाद्य महात्मानं कृष्णद्वैपायनं तदा । तस्थुः प्राञ्जलयः सर्वे सह मात्रा परन्तपाः ॥ 6॥ व्यास उवाच॥ मयॆदं मनसा पूर्वं विदितं भरतर्षभाः यथा स्थितैर् अधर्मॆण धार्तराष्ट्रैर् विवासिताः ॥7 तद् विदित्वास्मि संप्राप्तश् चिकीर्षुः परमं हितम् न विषादॊ ऽत्र कर्तव्यः सर्वम् ऎतत् सुखाय वः ॥8 इदं नगरम् अभ्याशॆ रमणीयं निरामयम् वसतॆह प्रतिच्छन्ना ममागमनकाङ्क्षिणः ॥9 वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ एकचक्रां गतास्ते तु कुन्तीपुत्रा महारथाः । ऊषुर्नातिचिरं कालं ब्राह्मणस्य निवेशने ॥ 10 रमणीयानि पश्यन्तो वनानि विविधानि च । पार्थिवानपि चोद्देशान्सरितश्च सरांसि च ॥ 11 चेरुर्भैक्षं तदा ते तु सर्व एव विशां पते । बभूवुर्नागराणां च स्वैर्गुणैः प्रियदर्शनाः ॥ 12 निवेदयन्ति स्म च ते भैक्षं कुन्त्याः सदा निशि । तया विभक्तान्भागांस्ते भुञ्जते स्म पृथक्पृथक् ॥ 13 अर्धं ते भुञ्जते वीराः सह मात्रा परन्तपाः । अर्धं भैक्षस्य सर्वस्य भीमो भुङ्क्ते महाबलः ॥ 14 तथा तु तेषां वसतां तत्र राजन्महात्मनाम् । अतिचक्राम सुमहान्कालोऽथ भरतर्षभ ॥ 15 ततः कदाचिद्भैक्षाय गतास्ते भरतर्षभाः । सङ्गत्या भीमसेनस्तु तत्रास्ते पृथया सह ॥ 16 अथार्तिजं महाशब्दं ब्राह्मणस्य निवेशने । भृशमुत्पतितं घोरं कुन्ती शुश्राव भारत ॥ 17 भीम उवाच॥ ज्ञायतामस्य यद्दुःखं यतश्चैव समुत्थितम् । विदिते व्यवसिष्यामि यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुष्करम् ॥ 18 वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ तथा हि कथयन्तौ तौ भूयः शुश्रुवतुः स्वनम् । आर्तिजं तस्य विप्रस्य सभार्यस्य विशां पते ॥ 19 अन्तःपुरं ततस्तस्य ब्राह्मणस्य महात्मनः । विवेश कुन्ती त्वरिता बद्धवत्सेव सौरभी ॥ 20 कुन्त्युवाच॥ कुतोमूलमिदं दुःखं ज्ञातुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः । विदित्वा अपकर्षेयं शक्यं चेदपकर्षितुम् ॥ 21 ब्राह्मण उवाच॥ उपपन्नं सतामेतद्यद्ब्रवीषि तपोधने । न तु दुःखमिदं शक्यं मानुषेण व्यपोहितुम् ॥ 22 समीपे नगरस्यास्य बको वसति राक्षसः । ईशो जनपदस्यास्य पुरस्य च महाबलः ॥ 23 पुष्टो मानुषमांसेन दुर्बुद्धिः पुरुषादकः । रक्षत्यसुरराण्नित्यमिमं जनपदं बली ॥ 24 नगरं चैव देशं च रक्षोबलसमन्वितः । तत्कृते परचक्राच्च भूतेभ्यश्च न नो भयम् ॥ 25 वेतनं तस्य विहितं शालिवाहस्य भोजनम् । महिषौ पुरुषश्चैको यस्तदादाय गच्छति ॥ 26 एकैकश्चैव पुरुषस्तत्प्रयच्छति भोजनम् । स वारो बहुभिर्वर्षैर्भवत्यसुतरो नरैः ॥ 27 तद्विमोक्षाय ये चापि यतन्ते पुरुषाः क्वचित् । सपुत्रदारांस्तान्हत्वा तद्रक्षो भक्षयत्युत ॥ 28 वेत्रकीयगृहे राजा नायं नयमिहास्थितः । अनामयं जनस्यास्य येन स्यादद्य शाश्वतम् ॥ 29 एतदर्हा वयं नूनं वसामो दुर्बलस्य ये । विषये नित्यमुद्विग्नाः कुराजानमुपाश्रिताः ॥ 30 ब्राह्मणाः कस्य वक्तव्याः कस्य वा छन्दचारिणः । गुणैरेते हि वास्यन्ते कामगाः पक्षिणो यथा ॥ 31 राजानं प्रथमं विन्देत्ततो भार्यां ततो धनम् । त्रयस्य सञ्चये चास्य ज्ञातीन्पुत्रांश्च धारयेत् ॥ 32 विपरीतं मया चेदं त्रयं सर्वमुपार्जितम् । त इमामापदं प्राप्य भृशं तप्स्यामहे वयम् ॥ 33 सोऽयमस्माननुप्राप्तो वारः कुलविनाशनः । भोजनं पुरुषश्चैकः प्रदेयं वेतनं मया ॥ 34 न च मे विद्यते वित्तं सङ्क्रेतुं पुरुषं क्वचित् । सुहृज्जनं प्रदातुं च न शक्ष्यामि कथञ्चन ॥ 35 गतिं चापि न पश्यामि तस्मान्मोक्षाय रक्षसः ॥ सोऽहं दुःखार्णवे मग्नो महत्यसुतरे भृशम् । 36 सहैवैतैर्गमिष्यामि बान्धवैरद्य राक्षसम् ॥ ॥ ततो नः सहितन्क्षुद्रः सर्वानेवोपभोक्ष्यति ॥ 37॥	37 (1698)
"Vaisampayana said, 'Those powerful warriors, the brave Pandavas, traveled from forest-to-forest hunting deer and other animals for food, O king. During their journey, they explored the regions of the Matsyas, the Trigartas, the Panchalas, and the Kichakas, encountering many beautiful woods and lakes. They had matted hair and wore clothing made from tree bark and animal skins. Indeed, accompanied by Kunti, these noble heroes were dressed like ascetics. Sometimes, these strong warriors hurried along, carrying their mother on their backs; at other times, they traveled incognito, or swiftly moved on. They studied the Rik and other Vedas, along with the Vedangas and the disciplines of ethics and politics. The knowledgeable Pandavas encountered their grandfather, Vyasa, during their travels. Respectfully greeting the esteemed Krishna-Dwaipayana, those fierce warriors stood before him with their hands joined. 'Vyasa then said, 'Noble sons of the Bharata lineage, I foresaw your troubles due to the treachery of Dhritarashtra's son. Knowing this, I have come to offer you great assistance. Do not mourn what has happened. Not far from here is a safe and pleasant town where you can live in disguise. Stay there and await my return.'".' Vaisampayana continued, 'The mighty warriors, the sons of Kunti, arrived at Ekachakra and lived briefly in the home of a Brahmin. They led a life of giving, exploring beautiful forests, lands, rivers, and lakes, becoming beloved by the townspeople because of their skills. At night, they shared with Kunti everything they gathered while traveling, and Kunti would divide it among them, each receiving his portion. The brave warriors, together with their mother, took one share, while the strong Bhima took the other. In this manner, O noble Bharata, the famous Pandavas lived for some time there. One day, while the warriors were out begging, Bhima was at home with his mother Pritha. On this day, O Bharata, Kunti heard a loud, sorrowful cry coming from the Brahmin’s quarters. Bhima said, 'Mother, find out what troubles the Brahmin and why he is in distress. I will help, no matter how hard it may be.' Just then, another cry of sorrow came from the Brahmin and his wife. Quickly, Kunti entered the inner part of the Brahmin’s house, like a cow rushing to her calf.' Kunti said, 'I want to understand the reason behind this sorrow, so that I can try to alleviate it if I can.' The Brahmana replied, 'O you blessed with spiritual riches, your words truly reflect your worth. However, this grief cannot be lifted by any human effort. Not far from this town, there is a Rakshasa named Vaka, a cannibal who rules this region. He feasts on human flesh and with his immense strength, he dominates this land. The chief of the Asuras, he protects this town and region through his power. We have no fear from any enemies or other living beings. Yet, the price for this cannibal’s protection includes a cartload of rice, two buffaloes, and a human being to deliver them. One by one, the households must provide this offering. However, a particular family must do so only once every many years. Those who try to escape this obligation are brutally killed, along with their families. In this land, there is a city called Vetrakiya, where the king of these territories resides. He lacks knowledge of governance and is not very wise, failing to take any measures to ensure the safety of his realm for the future. We surely deserve our fate, as we live under the rule of a miserable and weak king, constantly anxious. Brahmanas can never truly belong to anyone; they are independent, living freely like birds that roam the world. It is said that one should first seek a good king, then a wife, and then wealth. These three are essential to protect one's family and children. However, my path has led me to the opposite. Now, I find myself in great peril and suffering deeply. This misfortune, which threatens my family, has fallen upon me. I am forced to offer the Rakshasa not only the agreed-upon food but also a human being. I have no money to buy anyone, and I cannot bear to part with any member of my family. I see no way to escape the grip of this Rakshasa. I'm drowning in sorrow with no hope of relief. Today, I will go to the Rakshasa, accompanied by my whole family, so that he may consume us all at once."