03.012
Core-Pancharatra: In the forest of Kamyaka, Bhima kills Kirmira, brother of Baka.
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhritarashtra said.
kirmīrasya vadhaṃ kṣattaḥ śrotumicchāmi kathyatām। rakṣasā bhīmasenasya kathamāsītsamāgamaḥ ॥3-12-1॥
O charioteer, I wish to hear about the slaying of Kirmira. Please tell me how Bhimasena encountered the rakshasa. (3-12-1)
vidura uvāca॥
Vidura said.
śṛṇu bhīmasya karmedam atimānuṣakarmaṇaḥ। śrutapūrvaṃ mayā teṣāṃ kathānteṣu punaḥ punaḥ ॥3-12-2॥
Listen to this deed of Bhīma, which is a superhuman act; I have heard of these again and again at the ends of stories. (3-12-2)
itaḥ prayātā rājendra pāṇḍavā dyūtanirjitāḥ। jagmus tribhir ahorātraiḥ kāmyakaṃ nāma tad vanam ॥3-12-3॥
O king, from here the Pāṇḍavas, having been defeated in dice, departed and in three days and nights reached the forest called Kāmyaka. (3-12-3)
rātrau niśīthe svābhīle gate'rdhasamaye nṛpa। pracāre puruṣādānāṃ rakṣasāṃ bhīmakarmaṇām ॥3-12-4॥
O king, at night, when midnight had passed and darkness prevailed, at the half-time, the man-eating rākṣasas of terrible deeds were moving about. (3-12-4)
tad vanaṃ tāpasā nityaṃ śeṣāś ca vanacāriṇaḥ। dūrāt pariharanti sma puruṣād abhayāt kila ॥3-12-5॥
It is said that the ascetics and other forest-dwellers always avoided that forest from a distance because of the fearlessness of the man. (3-12-5)
teṣāṃ praviśatāṃ tatra mārgam āvṛtya bhārata। dīptākṣaṃ bhīṣaṇaṃ rakṣaḥ soḷmukaṃ pratyadṛśyata ॥3-12-6॥
As they were entering there, O Bhārata, a terrible rākṣasa with blazing eyes and a club appeared, blocking the path. (3-12-6)
bāhū mahāntau kṛtvā tu tathāsyaṃ ca bhayānakam। sthitam āvṛtya panthānaṃ yena yānti kurūdvahāḥ ॥3-12-7॥
Having formed great arms and a dreadful mouth, he stood blocking the path by which the heroes of the Kurus pass. (3-12-7)
daṣṭoṣṭhadaṃṣṭraṃ tāmrākṣaṃ pradīptordhvaśiroruham। sārkaraśmitadiccakraṃ sabalākamivāmbudam ॥3-12-8॥
With lips and tusks bitten, coppery eyes, blazing hair standing upward on the head, encircled by rays of the sun and flashes of lightning, and with cranes, he appeared like a cloud. (3-12-8)
sṛjantaṃ rākṣasīṃ māyāṃ mahārāvavirāviṇam। muñcantaṃ vipulaṃ nādaṃ satoyam iva toyadam ॥3-12-9॥
He was creating a demonic illusion with a great roaring, emitting a vast sound like a raincloud. (3-12-9)
tasya nādena santrastāḥ pakṣiṇaḥ sarvatodiśam। vimuktanādāḥ sampetuḥ sthalajā jalajaiḥ saha ॥3-12-10॥
Frightened by his sound, the birds in all directions, having lost their cries, flew together—those born on land along with those born in water. (3-12-10)
sampradrutamṛgadvīpimahiṣarkṣasamākulam। tad vanaṃ tasya nādena samprasthitam ivābhavat ॥3-12-11॥
That forest, filled with deer, tigers, buffaloes, and bears running in all directions, seemed as if it had been set in motion by his sound. (3-12-11)
tasyoruvātābhihatā tāmrapallavabāhavaḥ। vidūrajātāś ca latāḥ samāśliṣyanta pādapān ॥3-12-12॥
The branches with coppery leaves, struck by his strong wind, and the creepers that had grown far, together embraced the trees. (3-12-12)
tasmin-kṣaṇe-'tha pravavau māruto bhṛśa-dāruṇaḥ। rajasā saṁvṛtaṁ tena naṣṭa-ṛṣkam abhavan nabhaḥ ॥3-12-13॥
At that moment, then, a very fierce wind blew; the sky, covered with dust by it, lost its stars. (3-12-13)
pañcānāṃ pāṇḍuputrāṇām avijñāto mahāripuḥ। pañcānām indriyāṇāṃ tu śokavega iva atulaḥ ॥3-12-14॥
The great enemy of the five sons of Pāṇḍu was unknown; but for the five senses, the force of grief is like an incomparable foe. (3-12-14)
sa dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavān dūrāt kṛṣṇājinasamāvṛtān। āvṛṇot tad vanadvāraṃ maināka iva parvataḥ ॥3-12-15॥
Seeing the Pāṇḍavas from a distance, dressed in black antelope skins, he covered the entrance to the forest like the mountain Maināka. (3-12-15)
taṃ samāsādya vitrastā kṛṣṇā kamalalocanā। adṛṣṭapūrvaṃ santrāsān nyamīlayata locane ॥3-12-16॥
As she approached him, the terrified Kṛṣṇā, whose eyes were like lotuses, closed her eyes out of fear of something she had never seen before. (3-12-16)
duḥśāsanakaro'tsṛṣṭaviprakīrṇaśiroruhā। pañcaparvatamadhyasthā nadīvākulatāṃ gatā ॥3-12-17॥
Her hair, scattered and cast off by Duḥśāsana's hand, she, situated among the five mountains, became agitated like a river in distress. (3-12-17)
momuhyamānāṃ tāṃ tatra jagṛhuḥ pañca pāṇḍavāḥ। indriyāṇi prasaktāni viṣayeṣu yathā ratim ॥3-12-18॥
The five Pāṇḍavas, being greatly deluded, seized her there, just as the senses, when attached to objects, delight. (3-12-18)
atha tāṃ rākṣasīṃ māyām-utthitāṃ ghora-darśanām। rakṣoghnair-vividhair-mantrair-dhaumyaḥ samyak-prayojitaiḥ॥ paśyatāṃ pāṇḍu-putrāṇāṃ nāśayāmāsa vīryavān॥3-12-19॥
Then Dhaumya, the powerful sage, destroyed that demoness, who had arisen by magic and had a terrible appearance, by properly applying various demon-destroying mantras, in the sight of the sons of Pandu. (3-12-19)
sa naṣṭamāyo'tibalaḥ krodhavispāritekṣaṇaḥ। kāmamūrtidharaḥ kṣudraḥ kālakalpo vyadṛśyata ॥3-12-20॥
He, whose illusion had vanished, who was exceedingly strong, with eyes widened in anger, assuming the form of desire, mean and like Yama himself, appeared. (3-12-20)
tamuvāca tato rājā dīrghaprajño yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। ko bhavānkhasya vā kiṃ te kriyatāṃ kāryamucyatām ॥3-12-21॥
Then the wise king Yudhishthira said to him: "Who are you? Whose are you? Or what is it that should be done for you? Let your task be told." (3-12-21)
pratyuvācātha tadrakṣo dharmarājaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram। ahaṃ bakasya vai bhrātā kirmīra iti viśrutaḥ ॥3-12-22॥
Then that demon spoke to Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira: "I am Kirmīra, the brother of Baka, and thus I am well-known." (3-12-22)
vane'smin kāmyake śūnye nivasāmi gatajvaraḥ। yudhi nirjitya puruṣān āhāraṃ nityam ācaran ॥3-12-23॥
I dwell in this empty Kamyaka forest, free from fever; in battle, always obtaining food by conquering men. (3-12-23)
ke yūyam iha samprāptā bhakṣyabhūtā mamāntikam। yudhi nirjitya vaḥ sarvān bhakṣayiṣye gatajvaraḥ ॥3-12-24॥
Who are you that have come here, having become my food and come near me? In battle, having conquered all of you, I will eat you, now that my fever is gone. (3-12-24)
yudhiṣṭhiras tu tac chrutvā vacas tasya durātmanaḥ। ācacakṣe tataḥ sarvaṃ gotranāmādi bhārata ॥3-12-25॥
But Yudhishthira, having heard those words of the evil-minded one, then declared all the lineage names and so on, O Bhārata. (3-12-25)
pāṇḍavo dharmarājo'haṃ yadi te śrotramāgataḥ। sahito bhrātṛbhiḥ sarvairbhīmasenārjunādibhiḥ ॥3-12-26॥
I am the Pāṇḍava, king of dharma; if this has reached your ear, I am together with all my brothers, including Bhīmasena, Arjuna, and others. (3-12-26)
hṛtarājyo vane vāsaṃ vastuṃ kṛtamatis tataḥ। vanam abhyāgato ghoram idaṃ tava parigraham ॥3-12-27॥
Having lost his kingdom, he resolved to dwell in the forest; then he came to this terrible forest, your abode. (3-12-27)
kirmīras tv abravīd enaṃ diṣṭyā devair idaṃ mama। upapāditam adya iha cirakālāt manogatam ॥3-12-28॥
But Kirmira said to him: "By the favor of the gods, what I have long desired in my mind has today been accomplished here." (3-12-28)
bhīmasenavadhārthaṃ hi nityam abhyudyatāyudhaḥ। carāmi pṛthivīṃ kṛtsnāṃ nainam āsādayāmy aham ॥3-12-29॥
Indeed, always keeping my weapon raised for the purpose of killing Bhīmasena, I wander the whole earth, yet I am unable to find him. (3-12-29)
so'ayam āsādito diṣṭyā bhrātṛ-hā kāṅkṣitaś ciram। anena hi mama bhrātā bako vinihataḥ priyaḥ ॥3-12-30॥
He, this brother-killer whom I have long desired, has fortunately been found; by him indeed my dear brother Baka has been slain. (3-12-30)
vetrakīyagṛhe rājanbrāhmaṇacchadmarūpiṇā। vidyābalamupāśritya na hyastyasyourasaṃ balam ॥3-12-31॥
O king, in the house of Vetrakīya, he, assuming the guise of a brāhmaṇa, relied on the power of knowledge; he does not possess physical strength. (3-12-31)
hiḍimbaś ca sakhā mahyaṃ dayito vanagocaraḥ। hato durātmanānena svasā cāsya hṛtā purā ॥3-12-32॥
Hiḍimba, my dear friend who dwelled in the forest, was killed by this evil-minded one; and his sister was carried off by him in the past. (3-12-32)
so'ayam abhyāgato mūḍho mamedam gahanaṃ vanam। pracārasamaye'smākam ardharātre samāsthite ॥3-12-33॥
This fool has come to my dense forest, just as we were stationed for our patrol at midnight. (3-12-33)
adyāsya yātayiṣyāmi tad-vairaṃ cira-sambhṛtam। tarpayiṣyāmi ca bakaṃ rudhireṇāsya bhūriṇā ॥3-12-34॥
Today I will torment him and settle that long-standing enmity; I will also satisfy Baka with his copious blood. (3-12-34)
adyāham anṛṇo bhūtvā bhrātuḥ sakhyus tathaiva ca। śāntiṃ labdhāsmi paramāṃ hatvā rākṣasa-kaṇṭakam ॥3-12-35॥
Today, having fulfilled my obligations to my brother and friend alike, and having slain the scourge of the Rākṣasas, I have attained supreme peace. (3-12-35)
yadi tena purā mukto bhīmaseno bakena vai। adya enaṃ bhakṣayiṣyāmi paśyataḥ te yudhiṣṭhira ॥3-12-36॥
If Bhīmasena was formerly released by Baka, then today I will eat him before your eyes, Yudhiṣṭhira. (3-12-36)
enaṃ hi vipulaprāṇam adya hatvā vṛkodaram। sambhakṣya jarayiṣyāmi yathāgastyo mahāsuram ॥3-12-37॥
Today, after killing this Vṛkodara of great life-force, I will devour and digest him, just as Agastya digested the great asura. (3-12-37)
evam uktas tu dharmātmā satyasaṃdho yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। naitad astīti sakrodho bhartsayāmāsa rākṣasam ॥3-12-38॥
When thus addressed, the righteous and truthful Yudhishthira, with anger, rebuked the demon, saying, "This is not so." (3-12-38)
tato bhīmo mahābāhur ārujya tarasā druma। daśavyāmam ivodviddhaṃ niṣpatram akarot tadā ॥3-12-39॥
Then Bhima, the mighty-armed, forcefully uprooted a tree ten vyamas long and stripped it of its leaves at that time. (3-12-39)
cakāra sajyaṃ gāṇḍīvaṃ vajraniṣpeṣagauravam। nimeṣāntaramātreṇa tathaiva vijayo'rjunaḥ ॥3-12-40॥
He strung the Gandiva bow, which had the weight of a thunderbolt's impact; and in the blink of an eye, Arjuna likewise readied the Vijaya bow. (3-12-40)
nivārya bhīmo jiṣṇuṃ tu tadrakṣo ghoradarśanam। abhidrutya abravīd vākyam tiṣṭha tiṣṭha iti bhārata ॥3-12-41॥
Having restrained him, Bhima addressed the victorious one, but that rākṣasa, terrible in appearance, rushed forward and said, "Stand, stand," O Bhārata. (3-12-41)
ity uktvā enam abhikruddhaḥ kakṣyām utpīḍya pāṇḍavaḥ। niṣpiṣya pāṇinā pāṇiṃ sandaṣṭoṣṭhapuṭo balī ॥ tam abhyadhāvad vegena bhīmo vṛkṣāyudhas tadā ॥3-12-42॥
Having thus spoken, the greatly enraged son of Pāṇḍu pressed him at the waist, crushed his hand with his own, and, biting his lips in anger, the strong Bhīma, wielding a tree as a weapon, then rushed at him with great speed. (3-12-42)
yamadaṇḍa-pratīkāśaṃ tatas taṃ tasya mūrdhani। pātayāmāsa vegena kuliśaṃ maghavān iva ॥3-12-43॥
Then, having the appearance of Yama's staff, he caused that thunderbolt to fall with speed on his head, like Maghavan (Indra). (3-12-43)
asambhrāntaṃ tu tadrakṣaḥ samare pratyadṛśyata। cikṣepa colmukaṃ dīptamaśaniṃ jvalitāmiva ॥3-12-44॥
But that rākṣasa, unagitated, was seen in battle; he hurled a blazing firebrand, like a burning thunderbolt. (3-12-44)
tadudastamalātaṃ tu bhīmaḥ praharatāṃ varaḥ। padā savyena cikṣepa tadrakṣaḥ punarāvrajat ॥3-12-45॥
But Bhima, the best among strikers, hurled that raised and impure thing with his left foot; the demon again returned. (3-12-45)
kirmīraś cāpi sahasā vṛkṣam utpāṭya pāṇḍavam। daṇḍapāṇir iva kruddhaḥ samare pratyayudhyata ॥3-12-46॥
Kirmira, suddenly uprooting a tree, fought against the Pāṇḍava in battle, like an angry one wielding a staff. (3-12-46)
tad-vṛkṣa-yuddham abhavat mahīruha-vināśanam। vāli-sugrīvayoḥ bhrātroḥ yathā śrī-kāṅkṣiṇoḥ purā ॥3-12-47॥
That battle with trees between the two brothers, Vali and Sugriva, became a destruction of trees, just as it once happened between those who sought prosperity. (3-12-47)
śīrṣayoḥ patitā vṛkṣā bibhidurnaikadhā tayoḥ। yathaivotpalapadmāni mattayordvipayostathā ॥3-12-48॥
The trees that fell from the heads of those two were broken into many pieces, just as the lotuses and water-lilies are by two intoxicated elephants. (3-12-48)
muñjavajjarjarībhūtā bahavastatra pādapāḥ। cīrāṇīva vyudastāni rejustatra mahāvane ॥3-12-49॥
Many trees there had become tattered like muñja grass; their scattered leaves fluttered like rags in the great forest. (3-12-49)
tad-vṛkṣa-yuddham abhavat sumuhūrtam viśāṃ pate। rākṣasānāṃ ca mukhyasya narāṇām uttamasya ca ॥3-12-50॥
O lord of men, that tree-battle between the chief of the rākṣasas and the best among men lasted for a good while. (3-12-50)
tataḥ śilāṃ samutkṣipya bhīmasya yudhi tiṣṭhataḥ। prāhiṇod rākṣasaḥ kruddho bhīmasenaś cacāla ha ॥3-12-51॥
Then, the angry Rākṣasa, having lifted up a stone, hurled it at Bhīma who was standing in battle; Bhīmasena was shaken indeed. (3-12-51)
taṃ śilātāḍanajaḍaṃ paryadhāvatsa rākṣasaḥ। bāhuvikṣiptakiraṇaḥ svarbhānuriva bhāskaram ॥3-12-52॥
The demon, with his arm scattering rays, ran around the one stupefied by the blow of a stone, just as Svarbhanu (the eclipse demon) circles the sun. (3-12-52)
tāv anyonyaṃ samāśliṣya prakarṣantau parasparam। ubhāv api cakāśete prayuddhau vṛṣabhāv iva ॥3-12-53॥
Those two, having tightly embraced each other and dragging one another, both shone as they fought, like two battling bulls. (3-12-53)
tayor āsīt sutumulaḥ samprāharaḥ sudāruṇaḥ। nakhadaṃṣṭrāyudhavator vyāghrayor iva dṛptayoḥ ॥3-12-54॥
There was a very tumultuous and fierce combat between the two, like that of two proud tigers armed with claws and fangs. (3-12-54)
duryodhananikārāc ca bāhuvīryāc ca darpitaḥ। kṛṣṇānayanadṛṣṭaś ca vyavardhata vṛkodaraḥ ॥3-12-55॥
Vṛkodara (Bhīma), made proud by Duryodhana's insult and his own strength, and upon seeing Kṛṣṇa's arrival, grew in spirit. (3-12-55)
abhipatyātha bāhubhyāṃ pratyagṛhṇādamarṣitaḥ। mātaṅga iva mātaṅgaṃ prabhinnakaraṭāmukhaḥ ॥3-12-56॥
Then, having approached in anger, he seized the other with both arms, like an elephant with a broken tusk seizing another elephant. (3-12-56)
taṃ cāpyātha tato rakṣaḥ pratijagrāha vīryavān। tam ākṣipad bhīmaseno balena balināṃ varaḥ ॥3-12-57॥
Then, the powerful demon seized him; but Bhimasena, the best among the strong, hurled him away with his strength. (3-12-57)
tayorbhujaviniṣpeṣādubhayorbalinostadā। śabdaḥ samabhavadghoro veṇusphoṭasamo yudhi ॥3-12-58॥
Then, from the crushing together of the arms of those two strong warriors, a terrible sound arose in battle, like the crack of bamboo. (3-12-58)
athainam ākṣipya balād gṛhya madhye vṛkodaraḥ। dhūnayāmāsa vegena vāyuś caṇḍa iva drumam ॥3-12-59॥
Then Vṛkodara (Bhīma), having seized him by force and grasped him in the midst, shook him rapidly like the fierce wind shakes a tree. (3-12-59)
sa bhīmena parāmṛṣṭo durbalo balinā raṇe। vyaspandata yathāprāṇaṃ vicakarṣa ca pāṇḍavam ॥3-12-60॥
He, weak and overpowered by the strong Bhīma in battle, struggled for his life and dragged the Pāṇḍava. (3-12-60)
tata enaṃ pariśrāntam-upalabhya vṛkodaraḥ। yoktrayāmāsa bāhubhyāṃ paśuṃ raśanayā yathā ॥3-12-61॥
Then, seeing him completely exhausted, Vṛkodara (Bhīma) bound him with his arms, just as one would tie an animal with a rope. (3-12-61)
vinadantaṃ mahānādaṃ bhinnabherīsamasvanam। bhrāmayāmāsa suciraṃ visphurantamacetasam ॥3-12-62॥
Uttering a great sound like the noise of broken kettledrums, he whirled the unconscious, quivering body for a long time. (3-12-62)
taṃ viṣīdantam ājñāya rākṣasaṃ pāṇḍunandanaḥ। pragṛhya tarasā dorbhyāṃ paśumāram amārayat ॥3-12-63॥
Having understood that the demon was despairing, the son of Pāṇḍu seized the animal-slaying sword with both arms and killed him. (3-12-63)
ākramya sa kaṭīdeśe jānunā rākṣasādhamam। apīḍayata bāhubhyāṃ kaṇṭhaṃ tasya vṛkodaraḥ ॥3-12-64॥
Having attacked the vilest of the rākṣasas at the waist with his knee, Vṛkodara (Bhīma) pressed down his neck with his arms. (3-12-64)
atha taṃ jaḍasarvāṅgaṃ vyāvṛttanayanolbaṇam। bhūtale pātayāmāsa vākyaṃ cedamuvāca ha ॥3-12-65॥
Then, having made him with all his limbs insensible and his eyes turned away and fierce, fall to the ground, he indeed spoke this speech. (3-12-65)
hiḍimbabakayoḥ pāpa na tvam aśru-pramārjanam। kariṣyasi gataś cāsi yamasya sadanaṃ prati ॥3-12-66॥
You will not wipe the tears for the sins of Hiḍimbā and Baka; you have gone towards the abode of Yama. (3-12-66)
ityevam uktvā puruṣa-pravīraḥ taṃ rākṣasaṃ krodha-vivṛtta-netraḥ prasrasta-vastra-ābharaṇaṃ sphurantaṃ ud-bhrānta-cittam vyasum utsasarja ॥3-12-67॥
Having thus spoken, the foremost of men, his eyes wide with anger, released the lifeless demon, whose garments and ornaments were loosened, who was trembling and whose mind was agitated. (3-12-67)
tasmin hate toyadatulyarūpe; kṛṣṇāṃ puraskṛtya narendraputrāḥ। bhīmaṃ praśasyātha guṇairanekai; hṛṣṭāstato dvaitavanāya jagmuḥ ॥3-12-68॥
When he of cloud-like form was slain, the sons of the king, placing Kṛṣṇā in front, praised Bhīma for his many virtues, and then, joyful, they went to Dvaitavana. (3-12-68)
evaṃ vinihataḥ saṅkhye kirmīro manujādhipa। bhīmena vacanāttasya dharmarājasya kaurava ॥3-12-69॥
Thus, O Kaurava, Kirmira was slain in battle by Bhima at the command of Dharmaraja, O king of men. (3-12-69)
tato niṣkaṇṭakaṃ kṛtvā vanaṃ tadaparājitaḥ। draupadyā saha dharmajño vasatiṃ tāmuvāsa ha ॥3-12-70॥
Then, having cleared the forest of thorns, the undefeated one, together with Draupadī, who knew dharma, lived in that dwelling. (3-12-70)
samāśvāsya ca te sarve draupadīṃ bharatarṣabhāḥ। prahṛṣṭamanasaḥ prītyā praśaśaṃsur vṛkodaram ॥3-12-71॥
After consoling Draupadī, all the Bharata chiefs, their minds delighted and with affection, praised Vṛkodara. (3-12-71)
bhīma-bāhu-bala-utpiṣṭe vinaṣṭe rākṣase tataḥ। viviśus tad vanaṃ vīrāḥ kṣemaṃ nihatakaṇṭakam ॥3-12-72॥
After the rākṣasa was destroyed, crushed by Bhima's mighty arms, the heroes entered that forest, now safe and free from danger. (3-12-72)
sa mayā gacchatā mārge vinikīrṇo bhayāvahaḥ। vane mahati duṣṭātmā dṛṣṭo bhīmabalāddhataḥ ॥3-12-73॥
While I was going on the path, I saw in the great forest a wicked-souled being, scattered and fearsome, arrogant due to his terrible strength. (3-12-73)
tatrāśrauṣam ahaṃ caitat karma bhīmasya bhārata। brāhmaṇānāṃ kathayatāṃ ye tatrāsan samāgatāḥ ॥3-12-74॥
O Bhārata, there I heard this act of Bhīma from the Brāhmaṇas who were assembled there and narrating it. (3-12-74)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
evaṃ vinihataṃ saṅkhye kirmīraṃ rākṣasottamam। śrutvā dhyānaparo rājā niśaśvāsārtavat tadā ॥3-12-75॥
Thus, when the king, absorbed in meditation, heard that Kirmira, the foremost of the rākṣasas, had been slain in battle, he sighed deeply like one in distress. (3-12-75)
