Vanaparva - Chapter-8

 

वनपर्व - Vanaparva

अध्यायः – 8  ::Chapter-8

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ स गत्वा नलिनीं रम्यां राक्षसैरभिरक्षिताम् । कैलासशिखरे रम्ये ददर्श शुभकानने ॥ 1॥ कुबेरभवनाभ्याशे जातां पर्वतनिर्झरे । सुरम्यां विपुलच्छायां नानाद्रुमलतावृताम् ॥ 2॥ तत्रामृतरसं शीतं लघु कुन्तीसुतः शुभम् । ददर्श विमलं तोयं शिवं बहु च पाण्डवः ॥ 3॥ तां तु पुष्करिणीं रम्यां पद्मसौगन्धिकायुताम् । जातरूपमयैः पद्मैश्छन्नां परमगन्धिभिः ॥ 4॥ वैडूर्यवरनालैश्च बहुचित्रैर्मनोहरैः । हंसकारण्डवोद्धूतैः सृजद्भिरमलं रजः ॥ 5॥ आक्रीडं यक्षराजस्य कुबेरस्य महात्मनः । गन्धर्वैरप्सरोभिश्च देवैश्च परमार्चिताम् ॥ 6॥ सेवितामृषिभिर्दिव्यां यक्षैः किम्पुरुषैस्तथा । राक्षसैः किंनरैश्चैव गुप्तां वैश्रवणेन च ॥ 7॥ तच्च क्रोधवशा नाम राक्षसा राजशासनात् । रक्षन्ति शतसाहस्राश्चित्रायुधपरिच्छदाः ॥ 8॥ ते तु दृष्ट्वैव कौन्तेयमजिनैः परिवारितम् । रुक्माङ्गदधरं वीरं भीमं भीमपराक्रमम् ॥ 9॥ सायुधं बद्धनिस्त्रिंशमशङ्कितमरिंदमम् । पुष्करेप्सुमुपायान्तमन्योन्यमभिचुक्रुशुः ॥ 10॥ ततः सर्वे महाबाहुं समासाद्य वृकोदरम् । तेजोयुक्तमपृच्छन्त कस्त्वमाख्यातुमर्हसि ॥ 11॥ मुनिवेषधरश्चासि चीरवासाश्च लक्ष्यसे । यदर्थमसि सम्प्राप्तस्तदाचक्ष्व महाद्युते ॥ 12॥	12 (463)
Vaisampayana said, "Upon reaching the place, Bhimasena noticed near the Kailasa cliff a stunning lotus lake, surrounded by lovely woods and watched over by the Rakshasas. It originated from the waterfalls near Kubera's abode. The lake was a sight to behold, featuring spacious shade, various trees and vines, and was decorated with green lilies. This otherworldly lake was filled with golden lotuses and teemed with many kinds of birds. Its banks were beautiful, clean, and free of mud. Perched on rocky heights, the lake was extraordinarily lovely.  It was a marvel of the world, refreshing and picturesque. Within that lake, the son of Kunti found water that was heavenly, cool, light, clear, and fresh; the Pandava drank deeply. The lake was adorned with divine Saugandhika lotuses and vibrant golden lotuses with splendid fragrances and graceful blue-stone - vaiḍūryam (वैडूर्यम्) stems. These lotuses, swayed by swans and Karandavas, scattered fragrant pollen. This lake was the playful realm of Kubera, the king of the Yakshas, esteemed by Gandharvas, Apsaras, and the deities alike. It was often visited by celestial sages, Yakshas, Kimpurushas, Rakshasas, and Kinnaras, well-guarded by Kubera. Upon seeing that river and the ethereal lake, Kunti's son, the mighty Bhimasena, was filled with immense joy."  As commanded by their king, countless Rakshasas known as Krodhavasas guarded the lake, dressed in uniforms and wielding various weapons. When Bhima, Kunti's son, a fearsome hero in deer-skins and golden armlets, boldly approached to collect lotuses, the Rakshasas noticed him and began to discuss among themselves, shouting, 'We must find out why this distinguished man, dressed as an ascetic yet armed for battle, has come here.' They then approached the shining Vrikodara, strong as he was, and asked, 'Who are you? Please tell us your purpose. We see you appear as a hermit but armed for combat. O wise one, reveal to us why you have come.'."
भीम उवाच॥ पाण्डवो भीमसेनोऽहं धर्मपुत्रादनन्तरः । विशालां बदरीं प्राप्तो भ्रातृभिः सह राक्षसाः ॥ 1 अपश्यत्तत्र पञ्चाली सौगन्धिकमनुत्तमम् । अनिलोढमितो नूनं सा बहूनि परीप्सति ॥ 2॥ तस्या मामनवद्याङ्ग्या धर्मपत्न्याः प्रिये स्थितम् । पुष्पाहारमिह प्राप्तं निबोधत निशाचराः ॥ 3॥ राक्षसा ऊचुः॥ आक्रीडोऽयं कुबेरस्य दयितः पुरुषर्षभ । नेह शक्यं मनुष्येण विहर्तुं मर्त्यधर्मिणा ॥ 4॥ देवर्षयस्तथा यक्षा देवाश्चात्र वृकोदर । आमन्त्र्य यक्षप्रवरं पिबन्ति विहरन्ति च ॥ गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैव विहरन्त्यत्र पाण्डव ॥ 5॥ अन्यायेनेह यः कश्चिदवमन्य धनेश्वरम् । विहर्तुमिच्छेद्दुर्वृत्तः स विनश्येदसंशयम् ॥ 6॥ तमनादृत्य पद्मानि जिहीर्षसि बलादितः । धर्मराजस्य चात्मानं ब्रवीषि भ्रातरं कथम् ॥ 7॥ भीम उवाच॥ राक्षसास्तं न पश्यामि धनेश्वरमिहान्तिके । दृष्ट्वापि च महाराजं नाहं याचितुमुत्सहे ॥ 8॥ न हि याचन्ति राजान एष धर्मः सनातनः । न चाहं हातुमिच्छामि क्षात्रधर्मं कथञ्चन ॥ 9॥ इयं च नलिनी रम्या जाता पर्वतनिर्झरे । नेयं भवनमासाद्य कुबेरस्य महात्मनः ॥ 10॥ तुल्या हि सर्वभूतानामियं वैश्रवणस्य च । एवङ्गतेषु द्रव्येषु कः कं याचितुमर्हति ॥ 11॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ इत्युक्त्वा राक्षसान्सर्वान्भीमसेनो व्यगाहत । ततः स राक्षसैर्वाचा प्रतिषिद्धः प्रतापवान् ॥ ॥ मा मैवमिति सक्रोधैर्भर्त्सयद्भिः समन्ततः ॥ 12॥ कदर्थीकृत्य तु स तान्राक्षसान्भीमविक्रमः । व्यगाहत महातेजास्ते तं सर्वे न्यवारयन् ॥ 13॥ गृह्णीत बध्नीत निकृन्ततेमं; पचाम खादाम च भीमसेनम् । क्रुद्धा ब्रुवन्तोऽनुययुर्द्रुतं ते; शस्त्राणि चोद्यम्य विवृत्तनेत्राः ॥ 14॥ ततः स गुर्वीं यमदण्डकल्पां; महागदां काञ्चनपट्टनद्धाम् । प्रगृह्य तानभ्यपतत्तरस्वी; ततोऽब्रवीत्तिष्ठत तिष्ठतेति ॥ 15॥ ते तं तदा तोमरपट्टिशाद्यै;र्व्याविध्य शस्त्रैः सहसाभिपेतुः । जिघांसवः क्रोधवशाः सुभीमा; भीमं समन्तात्परिवव्रुरुग्राः ॥ 16॥ वातेन कुन्त्यां बलवान्स जातः; शूरस्तरस्वी द्विषतां निहन्ता । सत्ये च धर्मे च रतः सदैव; पराक्रमे शत्रुभिरप्रधृष्यः ॥ 17॥ तेषां स मार्गान्विविधान्महात्मा; निहत्य शस्त्राणि च शात्रवाणाम् । यथाप्रवीरान्निजघान वीरः; परःशतान्पुष्करिणीसमीपे ॥ 18॥ ते तस्य वीर्यं च बलं च दृष्ट्वा; विद्याबलं बाहुबलं तथैव । अशक्नुवन्तः सहिताः समन्ता;द्धतप्रवीराः सहसा निवृत्ताः ॥ 19॥ विदीर्यमाणास्तत एव तूर्ण;माकाशमास्थाय विमूढसञ्ज्ञाः । कैलासशृङ्गाण्यभिदुद्रुवुस्ते; भीमार्दिताः क्रोधवशाः प्रभग्नाः ॥ 20॥ स शक्रवद्दानवदैत्यसङ्घा;न्विक्रम्य जित्वा च रणेऽरिसङ्घान् । विगाह्य तां पुष्करिणीं जितारिः; कामाय जग्राह ततोऽम्बुजानि ॥ 21॥ ततः स पीत्वामृतकल्पमम्भो; भूयो बभूवोत्तमवीर्यतेजाः । उत्पाट्य जग्राह ततोऽम्बुजानि; सौगन्धिकान्युत्तमगन्धवन्ति ॥ 22॥ ततस्तु ते क्रोधवशाः समेत्य; धनेश्वरं भीमबलप्रणुन्नाः । भीमस्य वीर्यं च बलं च सङ्ख्ये; यथावदाचख्युरतीव दीनाः ॥ 23॥ तेषां वचस्तत्तु निशम्य देवः; प्रहस्य रक्षांशि ततोऽभ्युवाच । गृह्णातु भीमो जलजानि कामं; कृष्णानिमित्तं विदितं ममैतत् ॥ 24॥ ततोऽभ्यनुज्ञाय धनेश्वरं ते; जग्मुः कुरूणां प्रवरं विरोषाः । भीमं च तस्यां ददृशुर्नलिन्यां; यथोपजोषं विहरन्तमेकम् ॥ 25॥	25 (488)
" Bhima said, 'I am the son of Pandu, and the second-born after Yudhishthira, known as Bhimasena. O Rakshasas, I've come with my brothers to the jujube tree called Visala. There, Panchali spotted a beautiful Saugandhika lotus, surely carried by the wind from this area. She desires to gather those flowers plentifully. Know this, Rakshasas: I am here to fulfill the wishes of my lovely wife, and to get the flowers.  The Rakshasas responded, 'O noble one, this place is cherished by Kubera and serves as his playground. Mortals cannot enjoy themselves here. O Vrikodara, even the celestial sages and gods, with Kuvera's permission, come to drink from this lake and to revel. And, dear Pandava, the Gandharvas and Apsaras also find pleasure in this lake. Any wicked soul who disregards the lord of treasures and tries to enjoy this area unlawfully is sure to face doom. Ignoring this, you seek to seize the lotuses by force. Why then do you claim to be Yudhishthira’s brother? First, you must seek the lord of Yakshas’ permission to drink from the lake and take the flowers. If you fail to do this, you won’t even get a glimpse of a single lotus.'  Bhimasena replied, 'Rakshasas, I see no Kubera here, and even if I did, I wouldn't ask him for anything. Kshatriyas do not beg. This is the timeless code of honour, and I will not abandon it. Besides, this lotus lake originates from mountain streams; it was not carved by Kubera himself. Hence, it belongs equally to all beings with Vaisravana. In such matters, who goes to request another?'  Vaisampayana said, "After speaking to the Rakshasas, the strong and relentlessly fierce Bhimasena dived into the lotus-lake. The Rakshasas immediately warned him, yelling, 'Don’t do this!' and surrounded him with angry insults. Ignoring their threats, Bhima boldly plunged deeper into the water. They readied themselves to confront him, their eyes wild with rage, shouting, 'Grab him! Tie him up! We’ll cook Bhimasena and devour him!' Then, wielding his enormous mace decorated with gold, akin to Yama's weapon, Bhima turned to face them and declared, 'Stop!' In response, they charged at him fiercely, weapons drawn—lances, axes, and more. The furious Krodhavasas surrounded Bhima, intent on eliminating him. But Bhima, born of the wind-god Vayu and raised by Kunti, was brave and vigorous, a slayer of enemies, steadfast in virtue and truth, and invincible in battle. In due course, this noble Bhima, outsmarting his attackers and breaking their limbs, defeated over a hundred foes along the lake's edge, starting with the most formidable. Witnessing his strength and skill, the great heroes, overwhelmed, suddenly turned and fled in groups.  " Beaten and wounded by Bhimasena, the Krodhavasas retreated from the battlefield in confusion, quickly fleeing towards the Kailasa cliff and taking to the skies for support. Having showcased his strength by defeating those warriors just as Sakra had bested the Daityas and Danavas, Bhima, now victorious over his enemies, dove into the lake to gather lotuses for his aim. As he drank from the waters that tasted like nectar, his energy and strength were completely restored, and he began to pick the fragrant Saugandhika lotuses.  Meanwhile, the Krodhavasas, terrified by Bhima's power, stood before the lord of wealth, recounting Bhima's might in battle. Hearing this, Kubera smiled and said, 'Let Bhima take as many lotuses for Krishna as he wishes; I am already aware of this.' After obtaining Kubera's permission, the Rakshasas, letting go of their anger, approached the greatest of the Kurus and saw Bhima enjoying himself in that lotus-filled lake.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ ततो वायुर्महाञ्शीघ्रो नीचैः शर्करकर्षणः । प्रादुरासीत्खरस्पर्शः सङ्ग्राममभिचोदयन् ॥ 1॥ पपात महती चोल्का सनिर्घाता महाप्रभा । निष्प्रभश्चाभवत्सूर्यश्छन्नरश्मिस्तमोवृतः ॥ 2॥ निर्घातश्चाभवद्भीमो भीमे विक्रममास्थिते । चचाल पृथिवी चापि पांसुवर्षं पपात च ॥ 3॥ सलोहिता दिशश्चासन्खरवाचो मृगद्विजाः । तमोवृतमभूत्सर्वं न प्रज्ञायत किञ्चन ॥ 4 तदद्भुतमभिप्रेक्ष्य धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः । उवाच वदतां श्रेष्ठः कोऽस्मानभिभविष्यति ॥ 5 सज्जीभवत भद्रं वः पाण्डवा युद्धदुर्मदाः । यथारूपाणि पश्यामि स्वभ्यग्रो नः पराक्रमः ॥ 6॥ एवमुक्त्वा ततो राजा वीक्षां चक्रे समन्ततः । अपश्यमानो भीमं च धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः ॥ 7॥ तत्र कृष्णां यमौ चैव समीपस्थानरिंदमः । पप्रच्छ भ्रातरं भीमं भीमकर्माणमाहवे ॥ 8॥ कच्चिन्न भीमः पाञ्चालि किञ्चित्कृत्यं चिकीर्षति । कृतवानपि वा वीरः साहसं साहसप्रियः ॥ 9॥ इमे ह्यकस्मादुत्पाता महासमरदर्शिनः । दर्शयन्तो भयं तीव्रं प्रादुर्भूताः समन्ततः ॥ 10॥ तं तथा वादिनं कृष्णा प्रत्युवाच मनस्विनी । प्रिया प्रियं चिकीर्षन्ती महिषी चारुहासिनी ॥ 11॥ यत्तत्सौगन्धिकं राजन्नाहृतं मातरिश्वना । तन्मया भीमसेनस्य प्रीतयाद्योपपादितम् ॥ 12॥ अपि चोक्तो मया वीरो यदि पश्येद्बहून्यपि । तानि सर्वाण्युपादाय शीघ्रमागम्यतामिति ॥ 13॥ स तु नूनं महाबाहुः प्रियार्थं मम पाण्डवः । प्रागुदीचीं दिशं राजंस्तान्याहर्तुमितो गतः ॥ 14॥ उक्तस्त्वेवं तया राजा यमाविदमथाब्रवीत् । गच्छाम सहितास्तूर्णं येन यातो वृकोदरः ॥ 15॥ वहन्तु राक्षसा विप्रान्यथाश्रान्तान्यथाकृशान् । त्वमप्यमरसङ्काश वह कृष्णां घटोत्कच ॥ 16॥ व्यक्तं दूरमितो भीमः प्रविष्ट इति मे मतिः । चिरं च तस्य कालोऽयं स च वायुसमो जवे ॥ 17॥ तरस्वी वैनतेयस्य सदृशो भुवि लङ्घने । उत्पतेदपि चाकाशं निपतेच्च यथेच्छकम् ॥ 18॥ तमन्वियाम भवतां प्रभावाद्रजनीचराः । पुरा स नापराध्नोति सिद्धानां ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥ 19॥ तथेत्युक्त्वा तु ते सर्वे हैडिम्बप्रमुखास्तदा । उद्देशज्ञाः कुबेरस्य नलिन्या भरतर्षभ ॥ 20॥ आदाय पाण्डवांश्चैव तांश्च विप्राननेकशः । लोमशेनैव सहिताः प्रययुः प्रीतमानसाः ॥ 21॥ ते गत्वा सहिताः सर्वे ददृशुस्तत्र कानने । प्रफुल्लपङ्कजवतीं नलिनीं सुमनोहराम् ॥ 22॥ तं च भीमं महात्मानं तस्यास्तीरे व्यवस्थितम् । ददृशुर्निहतांश्चैव यक्षान्सुविपुलेक्षणान् ॥ 23॥ उद्यम्य च गदां दोर्भ्यां नदीतीरे व्यवस्थितम् । प्रजासङ्क्षेपसमये दण्डहस्तमिवान्तकम् ॥ 24॥ तं दृष्ट्वा धर्मराजस्तु परिष्वज्य पुनः पुनः । उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा कौन्तेय किमिदं कृतम् ॥ 25॥ साहसं बत भद्रं ते देवानामपि चाप्रियम् । पुनरेवं न कर्तव्यं मम चेदिच्छसि प्रियम् ॥ 26॥ अनुशास्य च कौन्तेयं पद्मानि प्रतिगृह्य च । तस्यामेव नलिन्यां ते विजह्रुरमरोपमाः ॥ 27॥ एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु प्रगृहीतशिलायुधाः । प्रादुरासन्महाकायास्तस्योद्यानस्य रक्षिणः ॥ 28॥ ते दृष्ट्वा धर्मराजानं देवर्षिं चापि लोमशम् । नकुलं सहदेवं च तथान्यान्ब्राह्मणर्षभान् ॥ विनयेनानताः सर्वे प्रणिपेतुश्च भारत ॥ 29॥ सान्त्विता धर्मराजेन प्रसेदुः क्षणदाचराः । विदिताश्च कुबेरस्य ततस्ते नरपुङ्गवाः ॥ ऊषुर्नातिचिरं कालं रममाणाः कुरूद्वहाः ॥30	30 (518)
Vaisampayana said, "Then, O greatest of the Bharatas, Bhima began gathering a wide variety of rare and fresh flowers in great abundance.  "Suddenly, a strong and fierce wind arose, chilling to the touch and sweeping up dust, signaling an impending battle. Terrifying meteors streaked across the sky with loud booms. As darkness enveloped the world, the sun lost its brightness, its rays hidden. With Bhima showcasing his strength, dreadful sounds echoed through the heavens. The earth quaked, and dust fell like rain. The sky turned a fierce red. Animals and birds cried out in shrill alarm. Everything was shrouded in darkness; nothing was clear.  "More ominous signs appeared as well. Observing these strange occurrences, Yudhishthira, son of Dharma and the best speaker, said, 'Who could possibly defeat us? You Pandavas, who relish battle, prepare yourselves! From what I see, the time to show our might is near.' After saying this, the king looked around. Not seeing Bhima, that fierce warrior, Yudhishthira asked Draupadi and the twins nearby about his brother Bhima, the one known for his brave deeds in combat, saying, 'O Panchali, is Bhima focused on a great task, or has he already accomplished something noteworthy? These ominous signs suggest a significant danger ahead, indicating a fearsome battle.'"  When Yudhishthira spoke these words, his dear queen, the noble Draupadi with her cheerful smiles, replied to ease his worries. 'Oh king, that Saugandhika lotus which the wind brought today, I showed it to Bhimasena out of love; I also told that hero, If you can find more of these, bring them all back quickly. Oh Pandava, the mighty Bhima may have gone northeast to gather them to fulfill my wish.'  Upon hearing her words, the king said to his brothers, 'Let us follow the path that Vrikodara has taken. Let the Rakshasas carry those Brahmanas who are tired and weak. Oh Ghatotkacha, you who are like a god, carry Krishna. I believe and it is clear that Bhima has entered the forest; he has been gone a long time, moving as swiftly as the wind, and leaping like Vinata's son, he will soar high and land wherever he chooses. Oh Rakshasas, we will follow him thanks to your strength. He will not harm the wise Siddhas at first. Oh best of the Bharatas, agreeing to this, Hidimaba's son and the other Rakshasas, who knew where Kubera's lotus lake was, joyfully set out with Lomasa, carrying the Pandavas and many Brahmanas.  After arriving at that place, they saw a lovely lake adorned with fragrant blue lotuses and bordered by scenic woods. On its banks, they spotted the noble and fierce Bhima, along with the slain Yakshas, whose bodies were battered, with crushed heads and broken limbs. Observing Bhima standing angry by the lake, with fixed eyes and clenched lips, wielding his mace as if he were Yama ready for cosmic destruction. Yudhishthira, the just leader, embraced him repeatedly, saying kindly, 'O Kaunteya, what have you done? May good fortune be with you! If you wish to help me, refrain from such reckless acts and provoke not the gods.'  After advising Kunti's son, the divine figures began to enjoy themselves in the lake. At that moment, the immense guardians of the gardens, brandishing rocks, appeared. Upon seeing Yudhishthira the just, the great sage Lomasa, Nakula, and Sahadeva, they humbly bowed down. Calmed by Yudhishthira's presence, the Rakshasas found peace. With Kubera's blessing, those noble Kauravas briefly enjoyed their time on the slopes of Gandhamadana, waiting for Arjuna.

 

इति श्री जयसंहिते  वनपर्वणि अष्टमोऽध्यायः॥

 

Vanaparva Chapter- 7

Vanaparva Chapter- 9