ng and standing
erect, the fiend looked like a mass of clouds reflecting the rays of the
sun or mingled with lightning flashes and graced with flocks of cranes
underneath on their wings. And uttering frightful yells and roaring like
a mass of clouds charged with rain, the fiend began to spread the
illusion proper to his species. Hearing that terrible roar, birds along
with other creatures that live on land or in water, began to drop down
in all directions, uttering cries of fear. And in consequence of the
deer and the leopards and the buffaloes and the bears flying about in
all directions, it seemed as if the forest itself was in motion. And
swayed by the wind raised by the sighs of the Rakshasa, creepers growing
at a great distance seemed to embrace the trees with their arms of
coppery leaves. And at that moment, a violent wind began to blow, and
the sky became darkened with the dust that covered it. And as grief is
the greatest enemy of the object of the five senses, even so appeared
before the Pandavas that unknown foe of theirs. And beholding the
Pandavas from a distance clad in black deer-skins, the Rakshasa
obstructed their passage through the forest even like the _Mainaka_
mountain. And at the sight of him never seen before the lotus-eyed
Krishna, agitated with fear, closed her eyes. And she whose braids had
been dishevelled by the hand of Dussasana, stationed in the midst of the
five Pandavas, looked like a stream chafing amid five hills. And seeing
her overwhelmed with fear the five Pandavas supported her as the five
senses influenced by desire adhere to the pleasures relating to their
objects. And Dhaumya of great (ascetic) energy, in the presence of the
sons of Pandu, destroyed the fearful illusion that had been spread by
the Rakshasa, by applying various _mantras_, calculated to destroy the
Rakshasa. And beholding his illusion dispelled, the mighty Rakshasa of
crooked ways, capable of assuming any form at will, expanded his eyes in
wrath and seemed like death himself. Then king Yudhishthira, endued with
great wisdom, addressed him saying, 'Who art thou, and whose (son)? Tell
us what we should do for thee.' The Rakshasa thus addressed, answered
Yudhishthira the just, saying, 'I am the brother of Vaka, the celebrated
Kirmira. I live at ease in these deserted woods of Kamyaka, daily
procuring my food by vanquishing men in fight. Who are ye that have come
near me in the shape of my food? Defeating ye all in fight,