03.150
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then the monkey, having withdrawn that vast form increased by desire, once again embraced Bhīmasena with his two arms. (03-150-1)
O Bhārata, as Bhīma quickly embraced his brother, all his fatigue was dispelled, and everything became auspicious. (03-150-2)
Then once more, Hari (Kṛṣṇa), with tears in his eyes, spoke to Bhīma in a voice choked with affection and emotion. (03-150-3)
Go, hero, to your own abode. Remember me on another occasion. While I am here, O best of Kurus, I am not to be disclosed to anyone. (03-150-4)
O mighty one, from the abode of Dhanada (Kubera) too, the women of the gods and gandharvas, who are sent forth, may come here as place and time permit. (03-150-5)
My eyes too have succeeded, and I have been reminded of Rāghava. Having experienced human touch, O Bhīma, together with you. (03-150-6)
Therefore, O heroic son of Kunti, let your seeing of us not be fruitless. With brotherhood foremost, choose a boon, O descendant of Bharata. (03-150-7)
If, for so long as I go to Vāraṇasāhvaya and the sons of Dhritarashtra are to be killed by me, I will keep doing this. (03-150-8)
O mighty one, if it is necessary, I myself will destroy the city with a stone, so that today I may fulfill this wish of yours. (03-150-9)
But Bhīmasena, having heard that speech of the great-souled one, replied to Hanumān with a gladdened heart. (03-150-10)
O best of monkeys, all my tasks have indeed been accomplished by you. May well-being be yours, O mighty-armed one; I seek your forgiveness—please show me your favor. (03-150-11)
All the Pāṇḍavas are protected by you, our powerful protector; by your own brilliance, we shall conquer all our enemies. (03-150-12)
But when thus addressed, Hanumān spoke to Bhīmasena: "Out of brotherhood and friendship, I will do what pleases you." (03-150-13)
When you, O mighty hero, have entered the army of the enemies, filled with arrows and spears, and utter your "lion's roar", then I will increase your roar with my own voice. (03-150-14)
He, dwelling on the banner of victory, said, "I will release terrible life-taking sounds against your enemies," and having spoken thus, disappeared. (03-150-15)
After he had gone there with the foremost among monkeys, Bhima too, best among the strong, wandered extensively in Gandhamadana by that path. (03-150-16)
Remembering the form, the incomparable splendor on earth, the greatness and influence of the son of Daśaratha, he went. (03-150-17)
He then thoroughly explored those beautiful forests and groves, longing for the Saugandhika forest. (03-150-18)
O Bhārata, at that time, the blossoming forests adorned with blooming lotuses and herds of mud-soaked intoxicated elephants appeared like rain-pouring clusters of clouds. (03-150-19)
He, the illustrious one, was seen on the path in the forest together with deer having restless glances, accompanied by female deer and mouthfuls of grass, and he swiftly went away. (03-150-20)
Bhīmasena, fearless because of his bravery, entered the mountain frequented by buffaloes, boars, and tigers. (03-150-21)
Her, with branches bent by flowers and tender new leaves, appeared as though being begged for in the forest by wind-shaken trees. (03-150-22)
With palms joined in lotus-like reverence, and accompanied by buzzing intoxicated bees, they passed over the lotus ponds on the way to their beloved sacred groves. (03-150-23)
Bhīma, his mind focused and with Draupadī's words as his encouragement, proceeded even more swiftly among the blooming flowers on the mountain peaks. (03-150-24)
When the day had turned, then, in the forest covered with deer, he saw a vast river filled with spotless golden lotuses. (03-150-25)
It was joined with intoxicated sarus cranes, adorned by cakravāka birds, as if the garland of spotless lotuses arranged for that mountain. (03-150-26)
The great being saw, on that river, the splendid Saugandhika forest, delightful and radiant like the rising sun. (03-150-27)
Seeing that and having achieved his desire, the son of Pāṇḍu, with his mind, went to his beloved who was afflicted by the hardship of living in the forest. (03-150-28)
