(-vadha Parva continued)
" said, ', beholding following them, addressed her, saying, 'Rakshasas revenge themselves on their enemies by adopting deceptions that are incapable of being penetrated. Therefore, O , go thou you the way on which thy your brother hath has gone.' Then beholding in rage, said, 'O , O tiger among men, however enraged, do not slay a woman. O Pandava, the observance of virtue is a higher duty than the protection of life. , who had come with the object of slaying us, thou you hast have already slain. This woman is the sister of that Rakshasa, what can she do to us even if she were angry?'
" continued, 'Then reverentially saluting and her son also, said, with joined palms, 'O revered lady, thou you knowest know the pangs that women are made to feel at the hands of the deity of love. Blessed dame, these pangs, of which hath has been the cause, are torturing me. I had hitherto borne these insufferable pangs, waiting for the time (when thy your son could assuage them). That time is now come, when I expected I would be made happy. Casting off my friends and relations and the usage of my race, I have, O blessed lady, chosen this son of thine yours, this tiger among men, as my husband. I tell thee you truly, O illustrious lady, that if I am cast off by that hero or by thee you either, I will no longer bear this life of mine. Therefore, O thou you of the fairest complexion, it behoveth behooves thee you to show me mercy, thinking me either as very silly or thy your obedient slave. O illustrious dame, unite me with this thy your son, my husband. Endued as he is with the form of a celestial, let me go taking him with me wherever I like. Trust me, O blessed lady, I will again bring him back unto to you all. When you think of me I will come to you immediately and convey you whithersoever ye you may command. I will rescue you from all dangers and carry you across inaccessible and uneven regions. I will carry you on my back whenever ye you desire to proceed with swiftness. O, be gracious unto to me and make accept me. It hath has been said that in a season of distress one should protect one's life by any means. He, that seeketh seeks to discharge that duty should not scruple about the means. He, that in a season of distress keepeth keeps his virtue, is the foremost of virtuous men. Indeed, distress is the greatest danger to virtue and virtuous men. It is virtue that protecteth protects life; therefore is virtue called the giver of life. Hence the means by which virtue or the observance of a duty is secured can never be censurable.'
"Hearing these words of , said. 'It is even so, O , as thou you sayest say. There is no doubt of it. But, O thou you of slender waist, thou you must act even as thou you hast have said. will, after he hath has washed himself and said his prayers and performed the usual propitiatory rites, pay his attentions to thee you till the sun sets. Sport thou you with him as thou you likest like during the day, O thou you that art endued with the speed of the mind! But thou you must bring back hither here every day at nightfall.'
" continued, 'Then , expressing his assent to all that said, addressed , saying, 'Listen to me, O Rakshasa woman! Truly do I make this engagement with thee you that I will stay with thee you, O thou you of slender waist, until thou you obtainest obtain a son.' Then , saying, 'So be it,' took upon her body and sped through the sides. On mountain peaks of picturesque scenery and regions sacred to the gods, abounding with dappled herds and echoing with the melodies of feathered tribes, herself assuming the handsomest form decked with every ornament and pouring forth at times mellifluous strains. sported with the Pandava and studied to make him happy. So also, in inaccessible regions of forests, and on mountain-breasts overgrown with blossoming trees on lakes resplendent with lotuses and lilies, islands of rivers and their pebbly banks, on sylvan streams with beautiful banks and mountain-currents, in picturesque woods with blossoming trees and creepers in Himalayan bowers, and various caves, on crystal pools smiling with lotuses, on sea-shores shining with gold and pearls, in beautiful towns and fine gardens, in woods sacred to the gods and on hill-sides, in the regions of Guhyakas and ascetics, on the banks of Manasarovara abounding with fruits and flowers of every season , assuming the handsomest form, sported with and studied to make him happy. Endued with the speed of the mind, she sported with in all these regions, till in time, she conceived and brought forth a mighty son begotten upon her by the Pandava. Of terrible eyes and large mouth and straight arrowy ears, the child was terrible to behold. Of lips brown as copper and sharp teeth and loud roar, of mighty arms and great strength and excessive prowess, this child became a mighty bowman. Of long nose, broad chest, frightfully swelling calves, celerity of motion and excessive strength, he had nothing human in his countenance, though born of man. And he excelled (in strength and prowess) all Pisachas and kindred tribes as well as all Rakshasas. And, O monarch, though a little child, he grew up a youth the very hour he was born. The mighty hero soon acquired high proficiency in the use of all weapons. The Rakshasa women bring forth the very day they conceive, and capable of assuming any forms at will, they always change their forms. And the bald-headed child, that mighty bowman, soon after his birth, bowing down to his mother, touched her feet and the feet also of his father. His parents then bestowed upon him a name. His mother having remarked that his head was (bald) like unto to a Ghata (water-pot), both his parents thereupon then called him (the pot-headed). And who was exceedingly devoted to the Pandavas, became a great favourite with them, indeed almost one of them.
"Then , knowing that the period of her stay (with her husband) had come to an end, saluted the Pandavas and making a new appointment with them went away whithersoever she liked. And also--that foremost of Rakshasas--promising unto to his father that he would come when wanted on business, saluted them and went away northward. Indeed, it was the illustrious who created (by lending a portion of himself) the mighty car-warrior as a fit antagonist of of unrivalled energy, in consequence of the dart he had given unto to (and which was sure to kill the person against whom it would be hurled).'"
(-vadha Parva continued)
" said, 'Those mighty car-warriors, the heroic Pandavas, then went, O king, from forest to forest killing deer and many animals (for their food). And in the course of their wanderings they saw the countries of the Matsyas, the Trigartas, the Panchalas and then of the Kichakas, and also many beautiful woods and lakes therein. And they all had matted locks on their heads and were attired in barks of trees and the skins of animals. Indeed, with in their company those illustrious heroes were attired in the garbs of ascetics. And those mighty car-warriors sometimes proceeded in haste, carrying their mother on their backs; and sometimes they proceeded in disguise, and sometimes again with great celerity. And they used to study the Rik and the other Vedas and also all the Vedangas as well as the sciences of morals and politics. And the Pandavas, conversant with the science of morals, met, in course of their wanderings their grandfather (). And saluting the illustrious , those chastisers of enemies, with their mother, stood before him with joined hands.'
" then said, 'Ye you bulls of Bharata's race, I knew beforehand of this affliction of yours consisting in your deceitful exile by the son of . Knowing this, I have come to you, desirous of doing you some great good. Do not grieve for what hath has befallen you. Know that all this is for your happiness. Undoubtedly, the sons of and you are all equal in my eye. But men are always partial to those who are in misfortune or of tender years. It is therefore, that my affection for you is greater now. And in consequence of that affection, I desire to do you good. Listen to me! Not far off before you is a delightful town where no danger can overtake you. Live ye you there in disguise, waiting for my return.'
' continued, ', the son of , thus comforting the Pandavas, led them into the town of Ekachakra. And the master also comforted , saying, 'Live, O daughter! This son of thine yours, , ever devoted to truth, this illustrious bull among men, having by his justice conquered the whole world, will rule over all the other monarchs of the earth. There is little doubt that, having by means of 's and 's prowess conquered the whole earth with her belt of seas, he will enjoy the sovereignty thereof of it. Thy your sons as well as those of --mighty car-warriors all--will cheerfully sport as pleaseth pleases them in their dominions. These tigers among men will also perform various sacrifices, such as the Rajasuya and the horse-sacrifice, in which the presents unto to the Brahmanas are very large. And these thy your sons will rule their ancestral kingdom, maintaining their friends and relatives in luxury and affluence and happiness.'
" continued, 'With these words introduced them into the dwelling of a Brahmana. And the island-born Rishi, addressing the eldest of the Pandavas, said, 'Wait here for me! I will come back to you! By adapting yourselves to the country and the occasion you will succeed in becoming very happy.'
"Then, O king, the Pandavas with joined hands said unto to the Rishi, 'So be it.' And the illustrious master, the Rishi , then went away to the region whence from where he had come.'"