Rakshasa, became
faint, and trembling all over, he still pressed the (Pandava) with all
his strength. And finding him fatigued, Vrikodara, twined his own arms
round the foe, even as one bindeth a beast with cord. And the monster
thereupon began to roar frightfully, as a trumpet out of order. And the
mighty Vrikodara for a long while whirled the Rakshasa till the latter
appeared to be insensible, and began to move convulsively. And finding
the Rakshasa exhausted, the son of Pandu without loss of time took him
up in his arms, and slew him like a beast. And placing his knee on the
waist of that wretch of Rakshasa, _Vrikodara_ began to press the neck of
the foe with his hands. Then Bhima, dragging along the earth the bruised
body of the Rakshasa with the eye-lids about to close, said, "O sinful
wretch, thou wilt no more have to wipe away the tears of Hidimva or
Vaka, for thou too art about to go to the mansions of Yama!" And saying
this, that foremost of men, his heart filled with wrath, beholding the
Rakshasa destitute of clothing and ornaments, and insensible, and
undergoing convulsions, left him dead. And after that Rakshasa of hue
like the clouds had been slain, the son of that best of kings (Pandu)
praised Bhima for his many qualities, and placing Krishna in their
front, set out for the Dwaita woods.'

"Vidura said, 'It was thus, O lord of men, that Kirmira was slain in
combat by Bhima, in obedience, O Kaurava, to the commands of
Yudhishthira the just! And having rid the forest of its pest, the
victorious Yudhishthira the just, began to live in that dwelling of
theirs, with Draupadi. And those bulls of the Bharata race comforting
Draupadi began to cheerfully extol Bhima with glad hearts. And after the
Rakshasa had been slain, borne down by the might of Bhima's arms, those
heroes entered into the peaceful forest freed from its annoyance.
Passing through the great forest I saw lying the body of the wicked and
fearless Rakshasa slain by Bhima's might. And, O Bharata, there I heard
of this achievement of Bhima from those Brahmanas who have assembled
round the Pandavas.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing the account of the slaughter in combat
of Kirmira, that foremost of Rakshasas, the king sighed in sorrow and
became absorbed in thought."

SECTION XII

(Arjunabhigamana Parva)

Vaisampayana said, "Hearing that the Pandavas had been banished, the
Bhojas, the Vrishnis, and the Andhakas went to those heroes residing