11(B). KIRMEERA VADHA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > KIRMEERA VADHA PARVA > CHAPTER 11(B) - KIRMEERA VADHA

“Vidura continued, ‘Thus addressed by the Raakshasa, the Dharmaatma Yudhishthira, steadfast in his pledges (Satyasandha in Sanskrit), said, ‘It can never be so,’ and in anger criticized the Raakshasa. The mighty-armed Bhima then quickly tore up a tree of the length of ten Vyaama and stripped it of its leaves. In the space of a moment, the ever-victorious Arjuna stringed his bow Gandiva possessing the force of Vajra. O Bharata (Janamejaya), making Jishnu (Arjuna) desist, Bhima approached that Rakshasa still roaring like the clouds and said to him, ‘Stay! Stay!’ (Tishta Tishteti in Sanskrit).

“Thus, addressing the Rakshasa, tightening the cloth around his waist, rubbing his palms, biting his lower lip with his teeth, and armed with the tree, the powerful Bhima rushed towards the enemy. Like to Maghavat (Lord Indra) hurling His thunderbolt, Bhima made that tree, resembling the mace of Yama himself (Yama Dandam in Sanskrit) descend with force on the head of the Rakshasa. The Rakshasa, however, was seen to remain unmoved at that blow, and wavered not in the conflict. On the other hand, he hurled his lighted wood, flaming like lightning, at Bhima. But that foremost of warriors turned it off with his left foot in such a way that it went back towards the Rakshasa. Then the fierce Kirmira on his part, all on a sudden uprooting a tree threw to the encounter like to the mace bearing Yama himself. That fight, so destructive of the trees, looked like the encounter in ancient days between the brothers Vaali and Sugreeva for the possession of the same woman.

“The trees struck at the heads of the combatants, were broken into fragments, like lotus-stalks thrown on the temples of infuriate elephants. In that great forest, innumerable trees, crushed like to reeds, lay scattered as rags. That encounter with trees between that foremost of Raakshasas and that best of men, O you bull of the Bharata race (Janamejaya), lasted but for a moment. Then taking up a rock, the angry Rakshasa hurled it at Bhima standing before him, but the latter wavered not. Then like to Raahu going to swallow the Sun dispersing his rays with extended arms, the Rakshasa with out-stretched arms ran towards Bhima, who had remained firm under the blow inflicted with the rock. Tugging at and grappling with each other in diverse ways they appeared like two infuriate bulls struggling with each other or like to two mighty tigers armed with teeth and claws, the encounter between them became fierce and hard.

“Remembering their disgrace at the hands of Duryodhana, and proud of the strength of his arms, and also conscious of Krishna (Draupadi) looking at him, Vrikodara (Bhimasena) began to swell in strenght. Filled with anger, Bhima catched the Rakshasa with his arms, as one elephant in rut catches another. The powerful Rakshasa also in his turn catched his adversary (Bhimasena), but Bhimasena that foremost of all men filled with strength, threw the Rakshasa down with violence. The sounds that in consequence of those mighty combatants pressing each other’s hands, were frightful and resembled the sounds of splintering bamboos.

“Hurling the Raakshasa down, catching him by the waist, and began to whirl him about, as fierce hurricane shaks a tree. Thus, seized by the mighty Bhima, the tired Rakshasa, became faint, and trembling all over, he still pressed the (Paandavaa) with all his strength. Finding him tired, Vrikodara, twined his own arms round the enemy, as one binds an animal with cord. The Raakshasa immediately began to roar frightfully, as a trumpet out of order. The mighty Vrikodara for a long while whirled the Raakshasa till the latter appeared to be insensible, and began to move uncontrollaby. Finding the Rakshasa exhausted, the Paandavaa without loss of time took him up in his arms, and slew him like a beast. Placing his knee on the waist of that wretch of Raakshasa, Vrikodara began to press the neck of the enemy with his hands. Then Bhima, dragging along the earth the bruised body of the Raakshasa with the eye-lids about to close, said, ‘O sinful wretch (Paapi in Sanskrit), you will no more have to wipe away the tears of Hidimba or Baka, for you too are about to go to the mansions of Yama (Yamasya Sadanam in Sanskrit)!’ Saying this, that foremost of men, his heart filled with anger, seeing the Rakshasa with of clothing and ornaments, insensible, and undergoing convulsions, let him dead. After that Raakshasa of colour like the clouds had been slain, the son of that best of kings (Yudhishthira) praised Bhima for his many qualities, and placing Krishna (Draupadi) in their front, set out for the Dwaita forest.’

“Vidura said, ‘It was thus, O lord of men (Dhritarashtra), that Kirmeera was slain in combat by Bhima, in obedience, O Kaurava (Dhritarashtra), to the commands of Dharmaraja Yudhishthira! Having rid the forest of its pest, the victorious Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, began to live in that dwelling of theirs, with Draupadi. Those bulls of the Bharata race (Paandavaas) comforting Draupadi began to cheerfully praise Bhima with glad hearts. After the Raakshasa had been slain, bear down by the might of Bhima’s arms, those heroes (Veera in Sanskrit) entered into the peaceful forest freed from its annoyance. Passing through the great forest, I saw lying the body of the wicked and fearless Raakshasa slain by Bhima’s might. O Bharata (Dhritarashtra), there I heard of this achievement of Bhima from those Brahmanas who have assembled round the Paandavaas.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Hearing the account of the slaughter in combat of Kirmeera, that foremost of Raakshasas, the king (Dhritarashtra) sighed in sorrow and became absorbed in thought.’”