The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 154

Section CLIV. ( *Hidimva-badha Parva.* ) Vaisampayana said, "Not far from the place where the Pandavas were asleep, a Rakshasa of name Hidimva dwelt on a *Shala* tree. Possessed of great energy and prowess, he was cruel cannibal of visage grim in consequence of his sharp and long teeth. He was now hungry and longing for human fool. 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, in 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 wishfully at times. Of huge body and great strength, of complexion like a mass of clouds, of teeth long and sharp-pointed and face emitting a sort of lustre, he was ever pleased with human food. And scenting the odor of man, he addressed his sister, saying, 'O sister, it is after a long time that such agreeable food hath approached me! My tongue is moistened with saliva owing to 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, dip into the most delicious meat. 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 thou and ascertain who these are lying asleep in these woods! The strong scent of man pleaseth my nostrills. Slaughtering all these men bring them unto me. They sleep within my dominion. Thou needst have no fear of them. Do my bidding soon, for we shall then together eat their flesh tearing it off their bodies according to our pleasure. And after feasting to our fill on human meat we shall then dance together to various measures.' "Thus addressed by Hidimva in those woods, Hidimvā, the female cannibal, at the command of her brother, went, O thou bull of the Bharata race, to the spot where the Pandavas were. And going there she beheld the Pandavas asleep with their mother and the invincible Bhima-sena sitting awake. And beholding Bhima-sena unrivalled on earth for beauty and like unto a vigorous *Shal* tree, the Rakshasa woman immediately fell in love with him. And she said to herself, 'This person of hue like heated gold and mighty arms, of broad shoulders as the lion, and so resplendant, of neck marked with three lines like a shell and eyes like lotus leaves, 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 any form at will, assumed an excellent human form and began to advance with slow steps towards Bhima of mighty arms. Decked in celestial ornaments, she advanced with smiles on her lips and a modest gait, and addressing Bhima, said, 'O thou bull amongst men, whence hast thou come here and who art thou? Who, besides, are these persons of celestial beauty sleeping here? Who also, O thou 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 ye for his food! But I tell thee truly that beholding thee resplendent as a celestial, even 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 body hath been pierced by (the shafts of) Kama! O, desirous as I am 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 mayst 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 complete 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 Raksha woman replied, 'O awaken all these, and I shall do unto ye all what is agreeable to thee! I shall certainly rescue ye 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 thou 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!'" Thus ends the hundred and fiifty-fourth Section in the Hidimva-badha of the Adi Parva.