while
fatigued and distressed, they were sleeping fast with her, a Rakshasa
woman called Hidimva approached them. Beholding the Pandavas with their
mother asleep on the ground, influenced by desire she sought to have
Bhimasena for her lord. The weak one then took up Bhima's feet on her
lap to press them with her soft hands. The mighty Bhima of immeasurable
energy, of prowess that could not be baffled, then woke from sleep, and
asked her, saying, "O thou of faultless features, what dost thou wish
here?" Thus asked by him, the Rakshasa lady of faultless features,
capable, besides, of assuming any form at will, replied unto the
high-souled Bhima, saying, "Do ye speedily fly from this place! My
brother gifted with strength will come to slay ye! Therefore speed and
tarry not!" But Bhima haughtily said, "I do not fear him! If he cometh
here, I will slay him!" Hearing their converse, that vilest of cannibals
came to the spot. Of frightful form and dreadful to behold, uttering
loud cries as he came, the Rakshasa said, "O Hidimva, with whom dost
thou converse? Bring him unto me, I will eat him up. It behoveth thee to
tarry not." But moved by compassion, the Rakshasa lady of faultless
features and pure heart said nothing out of pity. Then the man-eating
monster, uttering dreadful cries, rushed at Bhima with great force. And
approaching him furiously, the mighty cannibal, possessed with rage,
caught hold of Bhima's hand with his own and clenching fast his other
hand and making it hard as the thunder-bolt of Indra, suddenly struck
Bhima a blow that descended with the force of lightning. His hand having
been seized by the Rakshasa, Vrikodara, without being able to brook it,
flew into a rage. Then a dreadful combat took place between Bhimasena
and Hidimva, both skilled in all weapons and which was like unto the
encounter of Vasava with Vritra. And, O sinless one, after sporting with
the Rakshasa for a long while the powerful Bhima of mighty energy slew
the cannibal when the latter had become weak with exertion. Then having
slain Hidimva, and taking (his sister) Hidimva at their head, of whom
was (subsequently) born Ghatotkacha, Bhima and his brothers went away.
Then all those repressers of their foes, accompanied by their mother and
surrounded by many Brahmanas proceeded towards Ekachakra. In the matter
of this their journey, Vyasa ever engaged in their welfare had become
their counsellor. Then arriving at Ekachakra, the Pandavas of ri