Bhéma's Lament 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
As Bhéma quickly moved through the jungle, his powerful thighs sent the trees and thickets whirling about, stirring up winds, O king, that blew like the summer blasts in the months of Çuci and Çukra. Mighty Bhéma made his own road by flattening the creepers and lordly trees, shattering branches, tearing out bushes that entered his path, and demolishing the forest giants that grew from the earth and gave their fruits in the sky. Immeasurable was Bhéma's prowess, and as he went crashing through the forest, his speed and force left the Päëòavas dizzy and dazed. 
More than once they crossed wide rivers with the boats of their arms, and on land they assumed disguises, fearing the son of Dhåtaräñöra. When the going was rough, on treacherous land and up the banks and mountain slopes, Bhéma carried his glorious mother, whose body was most delicate. As evening settled in, those bulls of the Bharata race came to a corner of the vast forest where the forest fare of roots and fruits and even water was scarce, and where the birds and beasts were cruel and ghastly. Grim was that twilight, as horrible birds and beasts roamed all about, all directions fell blind with darkness, and unseasonable winds howled. 
Afflicted with fatigue, thirst, and irresistible sleep, the Kauravyas could go no farther. Then Bhéma, best of the Bharatas, entered a vast and frightening forest where no man lived, and he moved quickly to the shelter of a wide and charming banyan tree. Under the tree he placed all the family, and then he said, «I shall search for water here. My lord Yudhiñöhira, all of you should now rest. Water-going cranes are crying out their sweet songs, so I think there must be a large reservoir of water in this area.» 
«Go ahead!» said the eldest brother, giving permission, and Bhéma went to the place where the waterfowl were crying out. There he drank good, clean water and took a bath, O king, and with his upper cloth he gathered up drinking water for his family. He quickly returned the distance of several miles, eager to bring water to his mother. Seeing his mother and brothers sleeping there on the bare ground, Våkodara was filled with unhappiness, and he grieved for them: 
«How ironic that in Väraëävata they could not fall asleep on the most costly beds, and now they sleep so soundly on the bare ground. Behold this lady, the sister of Vasudeva, who crushed the hosts of wicked enemies. Behold this Kunté, who is the daughter of King Kuntibhoja and is glorified by all the marks of divine and noble birth, who is the daughter-in-law of Vicitravérya and the wife of the great soul Päëòu, who has always slept in palaces and who shines like the bright whorl of the lotus, who is the most delicate of women and who by all rights deserves the costliest bedding. Just see her now, so unfairly lying on the dirt of the earth! She bore her sons from the god of justice, from the king of heaven, and from the Wind, and now that same innocent woman lies exhausted on this bare land. What could be more heartbreaking for me than this–that I must now watch my own brothers, tigers among men, sleeping here on the empty ground? Whatever kingdom there may be in these three worlds, this king deserves to rule it, for it is he who knows the law. How can that very king lie here exhausted on bare ground, like a most wretched and vulgar man? And Arjuna, who has no equal among men in this world, whose divine hue is dark like a bluish rain cloud– he too lies here on the empty land like a wretched one. What is sadder than this? And the twins, endowed with such beauty, like that of the celestial Açvins, they too take their rest on the hard surface of the earth as if they were the poorest of men. 
«A man who has no biased and scheming relatives to disgrace his family lives very happily in this world, like a tree that stands alone in a village. That single tree, full of leaves and fruits, becomes sacred to the village, and because it stands alone, without a jungle of relatives, the people honor and revere it. 
«Of course, those who have many courageous relatives devoted to religious principles–they too live happily in this world, free of distress. Powerful, prosperous people who love and take care of their friends and family live by helping and depending on each other, like trees in a noble forest. But Dhåtaräñöra and his wicked son have driven us out of our home, and somehow, by the instruction of Vidura, we were not burned to death. And here we are under the shelter of a tree. What direction shall we take, now that we've come to the worst trouble of our lives? 
«I seem to make out a city not too far from this forest. Someone had better keep guard while the others sleep, so I myself will stay awake. They will drink water later when they awaken and are rested and relaxed.» 
Thus making up his mind, Bhéma guarded his family throughout the night. 
Bhéma Kills Hiòimba 
Çré Vaiçampäyana continued: 
Not too far from the forest where the Päëòavas slept lived a monstrous creature, a Räkñasaö named Hiòimba, who preyed on human flesh. Making his home in a huge Çäla tree, he possessed great power and might, but his deformed features were hideous, with bright yellow eyes, a gaping mouth with saberlike teeth, and an insatiable lust for human flesh. Afflicted by hunger, he was roaming the night when he happened to spy from a distance the sleeping Päëòavas and their mother. Shaking his head with its harsh and grizzly hairs and scratching it with his fingers pointed upward, the Räkñasa opened his great mouth wide and yawned, looking again and again toward the sleeping princes. The wicked giant, who preyed with terrible strength on human flesh, smelled the aroma of human meat and said to his sister, «After a long time, some food has come that I really like. My mouth is watering with relish, and my tongue is licking my lips. Finally I can sink my eight deadly razor-sharp teeth into these juicy, fleshy bodies. I shall step over these human necks and rip open the jugular veins, and then I shall drink lots of hot, foaming blood. Go and find out who they are, sleeping so confidently in the forest. 
«The aroma of human meat is very strong, and it gives me great pleasure. Go kill all those humans and bring me their bodies. You have nothing to fear from them, for they sleep in my domain. We shall very nicely prepare the meat of these humans, and then we shall feast together. Quickly, do what I say!» 
Obeying her brother's order, the Räkñasé monster, jumping from one tree to another, went swiftly to where the Päëòavas slept, O best of the Bharatas. Arriving there, she saw the Päëòavas and their mother Påthä sleeping on the ground, and she saw the invincible Bhémasena standing guard over them. But when she saw Bhémasena standing as tall and sturdy as the trunk of a Çäla tree and incomparably handsome, the Räkñasé desired him. 
«This dark, handsome man has powerful arms, and shoulders like a lion, and his body seems to glow. His neck is thick and marked like a conchshell, and his eyes are like the petals of a lotus. This man is fit to be my husband! I shall never execute the cruel order of my brother. The love a woman feels for her husband is much stronger than her friendship with a brother. If I kill these people, my brother and I will be satisfied for an hour or so, but if I don't kill them, I shall enjoy forever.» 
Able to change her body at will, she then took the form of a gorgeous human female, adorned herself with celestial ornaments, and very slowly, like a bashful creeper, approached the mighty-armed Bhémasena. She smiled at him and said, «Where have you come from, noble man, and who are you? Who are the men who sleep here, looking as handsome as gods? And who is this very delicate woman, tan and luminous, who has come here to the forest with you and who lies sleeping as securely as if she were in her own house? She doesn't know that the wild jungle is inhabited by Räkñasas, and that a most wicked Räkñasa named Hiòimba dwells in this very place. That evil Räkñasa is my brother, and he sent me here because he wants to eat all of your flesh, O divine one. But when I look upon you, who are as handsome as a child of the gods, I desire no one else for my husband. I tell you the truth. 
«Now that you know this, please treat me properly. My mind and body desire you, so accept me as I have accepted you. O innocent one, be my husband and I shall save you from that man-eating Räkñasa. Then, O mighty-armed one, we shall live together, with the mountains as our citadel. I can fly through space and wander where I will. Come with me and discover pleasure that you have never known before!» 
Bhémasena said: 
My dear Räkñasé, what man would abandon his mother, an older brother, and younger brothers like these when he has the power to protect them? How can a man like me hand over his sleeping brothers and mother as food for the Räkñasas and go off to enjoy romance? 
The Räkñasé said: 
Whatever you like I shall do. Wake them all up, and I shall gladly save all of you from the man-eating Räkñasa. 
Bhémasena said: 
O Räkñasé, my brothers and mother are peacefully sleeping in these woods, and I will not wake them all up out of fear of your wicked brother. O timid one, neither Räkñasas, humans, Gandharvas, nor Yakñas can withstand my prowess, O lady of lovely eyes. Either go or stay, good woman. Do as you like, or send at once your man-eating brother, my slender beauty. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana continued: 
Noticing that his sister had been gone for a long time, Hiòimba, lord of the Räkñasas, descended from his tree and went to hunt the Päëòavas. His arrogant, bulging eyes were red with rage. His hairs standing on end, the mighty demon stood so tall that his body bruised the clouds. Repeatedly throwing around his mighty arms, he smashed his palm with his fist and ground together the sharp fangs that lit up his hideous face. 
Seeing that awful monster coming to attack them, his sister Hiòimbä was terrorstruck and said to Bhémasena, «He's going to attack! He's a wicked man-eater, terribly cruel. You and your brothers must do exactly as I say. I have all the strength of the Räkñasas and can go anywhere at will. Climb onto my hip, my hero, and I will take you away through the skyways. Please, mighty one! Wake up your sleeping brothers and your mother and I will take all of you and flee through the celestial sky.» 
Bhémasena said: 
Do not fear, shapely one. He is nothing in my presence. O thin-waisted lady, I shall kill him before your attentive eyes. This degraded Rakñasa is no match for me, my timid one. Why, not even all the Räkñasas combined can withstand my pressure in battle. Just look at my bulging arms, as wide as elephant trunks, my thighs as tough as iron beams, and my hard, massive chest. Lovely lady, do not insult me by thinking that I am an ordinary human being, for you will see now, shapely one, that I am equal in prowess to Indra. 
Hiòimbä said: 
I am not insulting you, O tiger of men, for I see that you are as handsome as a god. But I have also seen the havoc wrought by this Räkñasa upon human beings. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
O Bhärata, as Bhémasena was thus speaking, the man-eating Räkñasa heard his words and flew into a rage. Hiòimba then saw that his sister had assumed a human form, with a garland atop her head and a face as lustrous as the full moon. Her eyebrows, nose, and hair were all exquisite, her skin and nails were most delicate, and she was dressed in very thin garments and adorned with all sorts of jewelry. Seeing her maintaining such a charming human form, the man-eater suspected her of lusting after a man, and this only fanned the fire of his wrath. In full fury the Räkñasa bulged out his huge eyes at his sister, O noble Kuru, and rebuked her, «Who is this fool that obstructs me when I'm hungry? Hiòimbä! Are you so bewildered and deceived that you do not fear my rage? Damn you, shameless woman! Lusting after men! You disgust me, for you bring infamy to all the Räkñasa lords who have come before us. Taking the side of these humans, you have unkindly offended me. I shall immediately kill all of them, and I shall kill you too!» 
Having spoken thus, Hiòimba, his eyes red with rage, furiously gnashed his teeth and rushed upon Hiòimbä to kill her, but seeing this, mighty Bhéma, best of fighters, shouted in a menacing voice, «Halt! Stand right there!» 
Çré Vaiçampäyana continued: 
Seeing the Räkñasa raging at his sister, Bhémasena began to laugh and said to him, «Why should you wake up these people who are sleeping so peacefully? Come and attack me, you stupid man-eater. Hurry up! I've done you no wrong. You are the offender, but at least try your blows on me and don't strike a woman. 
«You stupid Räkñasa, it is you who are the infamy of your family. This girl is an innocent child, and she could not help desiring me, for she was moved by the god of love, who dwells within her body. By your command she came here, and upon seeing my God-given beauty, she immediately desired me. This shy woman does not defile your family. The fault was committed by Cupid, and when I am standing here, you wicked Räkñasa, you are not going to strike a woman. Let's come together, man-eater, one on one, and I shall send you now to the abode of Yama, lord of death. Now, Räkñasa, I'm going to pound your head into the ground till it shatters, as if it were smashed by the foot of a mighty elephant. Let the vultures and jackals be happy to drag your body on the earth, for this very day I shall slay you in battle. For too long you have defiled this forest, devouring innocent men, but now in one moment I shall free the forest of its painful pest. 
«Even though an elephant is as big as a hill, a powerful lion kills it and drags it over the land. So today your sister will see you killed and dragged by me across this earth. When I slay you, O disgrace of the Räkñasas, the men who live in this forest will wander its woods free of harassment.» 
Hiòimba said: 
What is all your useless roaring and boasting, son of a man? First do all that you say and speak with action! Don't go on forever bragging in vain. You think you are strong and invincible, but you will now learn in battle that I am stronger than you. You offend me with your words, you fool, but I promise that I will not slaughter these people sleeping here so happily until I have first slaughtered you. But when I have drunk the blood of your limbs, then I shall slay these others, and I shall murder this woman who dares to disgust me. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Having thus spoken, the man-eater grasped his own arms and with terrible fury rushed upon Bhémasena, the slayer of enemies. As the demon rushed upon him, swinging his deadly fist, Bhéma, of frightening prowess, swiftly caught and held his arm and laughed at him. As the demon struggled in his mighty grasp, Bhéma dragged him eight bowlengths from that spot as easily as a lion drags a petty animal. 
Held in the mighty grip of Päëòu's son, the furious Räkñasa wrapped his arms around Bhémasena and screamed out in a terrifying voice. Again powerful Bhéma dragged him on the ground and said, «I don't want this noise to wake up my sleeping brothers.» 
Bhéma wanted to fight, and the two of them attacked and dragged one another with sheer power. Both the Räkñasa and Bhéma demonstrated extraordinary prowess as they broke apart giant trees and tore apart the toughest jungle vines as furiously as two maddened bull elephants who have grown mighty for sixty years. 
Awakened by the great sound of the two fighters, the Päëòavas and their mother opened their eyes and saw the lady Hiòimbä standing before them. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana continued: 
Awaking and seeing before them the superhuman beauty of Hiòimbä, the tigerlike Päëòavas and their mother Påthä became astonished. Studying her carefully, and amazed by her gorgeous features, Kunté spoke to her in words that were gentle, sweet, and comforting. 
«You are as bright as a child of the gods. Who is your guardian, and who are you, fair lady? Where do you come from, shapely woman, and what duty brought you here? Whether you are a venerable deity of this forest or an Apsarä goddess, please explain everything to me. How is it that you are standing here before us?» 
Hiòimbä said: 
The forest that you are seeing, as vast and luminous as the blue rain-bearing clouds, is the residence of the Räkñasa Hiòimba, and it is my abode as well. You may know me to be the sister of that Räkñasa lord. Noble lady, my brother wanted to kill you and your sons, and therefore he sent me here. I came here on the order of that cruel and wicked demon, but then I saw your powerful son, whose skin is like gold. Cupid moves in the heart of all beings, good woman, and he has put me under the control of your son. I chose your mighty son as my husband, and I tried to take him away, but he would not be controlled by me. Then, knowing that I had been gone for a long time, that man-eater came himself to kill all of your sons. But your intelligent son, who is my beloved, with his strength, stamina, and skill smashed my wicked brother and dragged him away [so the fight wouldn't disturb you]. Look, you can see them there, roaring and tearing at each other, man against Räkñasa, both of them full of power and courage. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Hearing her words [and suddenly realizing that their brother Bhéma was engaged in mortal combat], Yudhiñöhira, Arjuna, Nakula, and mighty Sahadeva all jumped to their feet and saw the two fighters clasping and dragging each other like two furious lions in a savage fight for victory. Holding and dragging one another, they raised a dust cloud like the smoke of a forest fire. Covered with earth and dust, they seemed like two mountains, and they shone like two great slopes covered with mountain dew. 
As Arjuna watched his brother struggling with the Räkñasa, he laughed and quietly said to him, «Bhéma, don't be afraid, mighty-armed one. We were exhausted and sleeping soundly, and we didn't know you were fighting with such a ferocious enemy. I'm here to help you, Pärtha. I shall fight with the Räkñasa, and Nakula and Sahadeva will protect Mother.» 
Bhéma said: 
Just stay on the sideline and watch. And don't be confused by this exercise. There's no chance he'll go on living, now that he's come within the reach of my arms. 
Arjuna said: 
Bhéma, why let this sinful Räkñasa live so long? We have to leave soon; we can't stay here, O tamer of foes. End this fight before the western horizon turns red and the twilight begins, for in that eerie hour the Räkñasas gain tremendous power. Hurry up, Bhéma; don't play with him! Kill this horrible Räkñasa before he works up his magical powers. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Thus addressed by Arjuna, Bhéma threw the body of the ferocious Räkñasa up in the air and then whirled it around more than a hundred times. 
Bhémasena said: 
With useless meat you maintained your useless life and grew strong, but with a useless brain. You deserve a useless death! So now you will be useless no more! 
Arjuna said: 
If you consider the Räkñasa a burden for you in this fight, then I can help you, but he must be killed instantly. Or I alone shall kill him, Bhéma. You have done a good job and you're tired, so it's the right time for you to rest. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Hearing these words from Arjuna, Bhémasena fumed with indignation and pulverized the demon against the hard ground, slaughtering him like a sacrificial animal. As Bhéma dealt him death blows, the Räkñasa blasted the air with horrible screams that filled the entire forest, echoing like a moist and booming kettledrum. The powerful and beloved son of Päëòu then grasped the Räkñasa's body firmly in his hands and broke it in half, delighting his anxious brothers. 
Seeing that Hiòimba was dead, the Päëòavas became wildly enthusiastic, and they honored Bhémasena, a tiger among men, who always tamed his foe. Having praised and honored the great soul Bhéma of awesome prowess, Arjuna again spoke to him. 
«Bless you! I think, my lord, there's a city not far away from this forest. Let us go there quickly so that Duryodhana does not discover us here.» Everyone agreed, saying, «So be it,» and those fierce warriors, tigers of men, took their mother and departed, and the Räkñasa lady Hiòimbä went with them. 
Bhéma Marries Hiòimbä 
Bhémasena said: 
Räkñasas remember their grudges and resort to bewildering magic to avenge themselves. You are one of them, Hiòimbä! Go now the way of your brother! 
Yudhiñöhira said: 
Bhéma, O tiger among men, even when you are angry you cannot kill a woman. Protect the sacred law, Päëòava, and don't simply worry about protecting your body. The mighty demon came to kill us, but you cut him down. So what can his sister do to us, even if she is secretly angry? 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Folding her hands in a prayerful sign, Hiòimbä again turned to Kunté, and to Yudhiñöhira and Arjuna, and pleaded for their help. 
«O noble woman, you know how much women suffer when struck by the arrows of Cupid, and now, good woman, that pain has reached my heart because of Bhémasena. I tolerated the greatest sorrow, waiting for the right time, but now my time has come to be truly happy. Giving up my best friends, my duties, and my people, I chose this tiger of a man, your son, as my husband, good lady. Most honored woman, does this chosen man, and do you also, reject my proposal for a wedding because I speak as I do? Whether you consider me a fool or a devoted servant, O fortunate woman, please unite me with your son in sacred marriage! Taking your son, who is as handsome as a god, I would go with him wherever we wish, and when my desire has been fulfilled, we shall return. Please have faith in me, fair lady. 
«If all of you just think of me, then I shall always come to you in times of trouble, and I will take these best of men across impassable roads. When you desire to travel with great speed, I shall carry all of you on my back. But now, please, give me your mercy so that Bhémasena will accept me. 
«It is said, `To escape disaster a man should save his life by whatever means is practical, and one who follows this rule must honor every practical means as his duty. This does not mean, however, that one should resort to evil acts, for even in distress one should maintain one's higher principles. One who knows this is the greatest student of virtue, for calamity often spells the ruin of religious principles and of those who practice them. But virtue preserves one's life, and virtue is the giver of life, so whatever means one adopts to preserve one's virtue cannot be condemned.'» 
Yudhiñöhira said: 
It is exactly as you said, Hiòimbä; there's no doubt about it. Religion must be practiced as you've described it, slender lady. Bhémasena shall now take his bath and perform his daily rites, and when he has taken the sacred marriage thread, you may receive him as your husband before the sun has set. You may travel with him during the days as much as you desire, and at the speed of the mind, but you must always bring Bhémasena back to us at night. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Hiòimbä, the Räkñasé, then promised, saying, «It shall be so.» Taking Bhémasena, she traveled up into the sky and went with her husband to visit beautiful mountain peaks and sanctuaries of the gods, enchanting abodes always busy with the sounds of deer and birds. Assuming the most beautiful feminine form, adorning herself with all manner of exquisite jewelry and conversing very sweetly, she gave pleasure in all these places to the son of Päëòu. 
Similarly, in inaccessible forests and on hilltops filled with flowering trees, in charming lakes bedecked with blossoming lotus flowers, on river islands and beaches where the sand was made of gems, in the waters of the holiest forests, in the mountain rivers, in the lands of the ocean, filled with gold and jewels, in charming villages through which they strolled, in forests of giant Çäla trees, in the sacred groves of the gods, on the mountain cliffs, in the abodes of the mystic Guhyakas, in the shrines of the ascetics, on the banks of the celestial Mänasa Lake, which abound with the fruits and flowers of all seasons–in all these places Hiòimbä maintained a most beautiful form and delighted the Päëòava. 
Giving pleasure to Bhéma in all these places, going from one to the other at the speed of the mind, the Räkñasé eventually gave birth to Bhémasena's mighty son. With his crooked eyes, great mouth, and conchlike ears, the boy was frightening to behold. His form was bhéma, awesome, his lips bright copper-red, his fanglike teeth very sharp, and his power great. He was a great archer, a great hero with great stamina and strength in his arms. He had great speed, a huge body, and great mystic power, and he could easily subdue his enemies. He had superhuman speed and strength, though apparently born from a human father, and he surpassed all the witches and warlocks in mystic power, as well as all the human beings. 
[Although Hiòimbä had transformed her body into a beautiful feminine form, she was in fact a Räkñasé, and thus her son bore her original features.] Though an infant, this mighty hero quickly assumed the features of a human adolescent, O king, and attained pre-eminent skill with all weapons. 
Räkñasa women give birth to their children on the same day they conceive. They can assume any form at will, and they do in fact appear in many forms. 
The hairless child respectfully took his father's feet, and then the mighty young archer reverently touched the feet of his mother. The two parents next gave their child a name. «His bald head is as bright as a pot,»ö said Bhéma to the boy's mother, and thus the boy's name forever after was Ghaöotkaca. Ghaöotkaca was always devoted to his Päëòava uncles, and they always held him dear, for he was ever faithful to them, always seeing to their interest. 
«We agreed to live together until our son was born, and that agreement has now expired,» said Hiòimbä to her husband. Making another covenant with Bhéma, she went upon her way. Ghaöotkaca then promised that whenever he was needed, he would come to serve his father and uncles. Taking his leave, that best of the Räkñasa race departed toward the north. Lord Indra himself had arranged the birth of this powerful child, who in the future would cause the destruction of the exalted and invincible Karëa. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana continued: 
O king, those mahäratha heroes journeyed quickly from one forest to another, hunting many deer. Traveling through the kingdoms of the Matsyas, the Tri-gartas, the Päïcälas, and the Kécakas, they observed enchanting regions full of woods and lakes. The Päëòavas assumed the appearence of ascetics, braiding their matted hair and garbing themselves with tree bark and deerskin, and Kunté did the same. At times they traveled hurriedly, carrying their mother, and at times they moved completely at their leisure. By studying the Brähmaëa portion of the Vedas, all the Vedic supplements, and the moral treatise known as Néti-çästra, they became knowers of the sacred law. 
On the way they met their grandfather, the great soul Kåñëa-dvaipäyana Vyäsa. All the mighty Päëòavas and their mother respectfully greeted him and stood with hands folded in veneration. 
Çréla Vyäsa said: 
I already knew within my mind, O noble Bharatas, how you were driven from your home by the sons of Dhåtaräñöra, who are set in their irreligious ways. Knowing that, I came, for I desire to do the greatest good for you. You should not be discouraged, for all this will eventually lead to your true happiness. Without doubt all of you boys [the Kurus and the Päëòavas] are equal to me, but when a child is suffering or very young, the relatives show him special affection. Therefore I now have greater affection for you Päëòavas, and because of that affection I desire to act for your good. So listen now: Close by is a lovely city where you will have no trouble. Live there in disguise and wait for my return. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Thus encouraging the sons of Påthä, those tamers of foes, Vyäsa went directly with them to the city, which was called Ekacakrä, and along the way the lord encouraged his daughter-in-law Kunté. 
«Push on with your life, my daughter, for your child Yudhiñöhira is the son of Justice, and he will rule over all the kings of the earth as the king of justice! He knows the sacred law, and he is naturally the world's leader. He will conquer the whole earth by his virtue, and by the strength of Bhémasena and Arjuna he will enjoy unrivaled sovereignty. Your sons and those of Mädré are all mahärathas, warriors of the highest caliber, and one day, with their minds at peace, they will delight and find happiness in their own kingdom. Having conquered the earth, these tigers of men will offer sacrifice to the Supreme Lord through the Räja-süya, the Açvamedha, and other celebrated rites, in all of which abundant charity will be distributed. Your sons will rule and enjoy the kingdom of their father and forefathers, and they will show great kindness to their loving friends, granting them wealth and happiness.» 
Having thus spoken, and after settling them in the house of a brähmaëa, the sage Vyäsa said to Yudhiñöhira, the greatest of earthly monarchs, «You must all wait for me here, for I shall come again. By understanding the place and time, all of you will know the greatest joy.» 
O king, the Päëòavas and their mother stood with folded hands and said to the sage, «So be it!» Then that incarnation of Godhead Çréla Vyäsa, that lord and saint, went to another place by his own infallible will.