an to press them gently with their hands,
scarred by the bow-string. And Yudhishthira the just, the foremost of
the Kurus, also comforted her and addressed Bhima in the following
words: 'O Bhima, there yet remain many mountains (before us), rugged,
and inaccessible because of snow. How, long-armed one, will Krishna pass
over them?' Thereupon Bhima said, 'O king, I myself shall carry thee,
together with this princess and these bulls among men, the twins;
therefore, O king of kings, resign not thy mind unto despair. Or, at thy
bidding, O sinless one, Hidimva's son, the mighty Ghatotkacha, who is
capable of ranging the skies and who is like unto me in strength, will
carry us all.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Then with Yudhishthira's permission, Bhima thought
of his Rakshasa son. And no sooner was he thought of by his father, than
the pious Ghatotkacha made his appearance and, saluting the Pandavas and
the Brahmanas, stood with joined hands. And they also caressed him of
mighty arms. He then addressed his father, Bhimasena of dreadful
prowess, saying, 'Having been thought of by thee I have come here with
speed, in order to serve thee. Do thou, O longarmed one, command me. I
shall certainly be able to perform whatever thou bidst.' Hearing this,
Bhimasena hugged the Rakshasa to his breast."

SECTION CXLIV

"Yudhishthira said, 'O Bhima, let this mighty and heroic Rakshasa chief,
thy legitimate son, devoted to us, and truthful, and conversant with
virtue carry (his) mother (Draupadi) without delay. And, O possessor of
dreadful prowess, depending on the strength of thy arms, I shall reach
the Gandhamadana, unhurt, together with Panchala's daughter.'"

Vaisampayana said, "Hearing the words of his brother, that tiger among
men, Bhimasena, commanded his son, Ghatotkacha, represser of foes,
saying, 'O invincible son of Hidimva, this thy mother hath been sorely
tired. Thou art, again, strong and capable of going wherever thou
likest. Do thou therefore, O ranger of the skies, carry her. May
prosperity attend thee! Taking her on thy shoulders, thou shalt go in
our company, adopting a course not far overhead,--so that thou mayst not
render her uneasy.' Thereat, Ghatotkacha said, 'Even single-handed, I am
able to carry Yudhishthira the just, and Dhaumya, and Krishna, and the
twins--and what wonder then that I shall to-day carry them, when I have
others to assist me? And, O sinless one, hundreds of other heroic
(Rakshasas), capable of mov