03.158
Vaiśampāyana said.
Ajātaśatru, the son of Kuntī (Yudhiṣṭhira), and both sons of Mādrī (Nakula and Sahadeva) also, after hearing the caves of the mountain resounding with many kinds of sounds, (responded thus). (03-158-1)
Dhaumya, Kṛṣṇā, all the brāhmaṇas, and likewise all the friends, on not seeing Bhīmasena, all became dispirited. (03-158-2)
But having given Draupadī to Ārṣṭiṣeṇa, the great warriors, together, armed and brave, then ascended the mountain. (03-158-3)
Then the great chariot-warriors, mighty bowmen, reached the mountain peak and, observing, saw Bhimasena, the subduer of enemies. (03-158-4)
The quivering, great-bodied, and departed-lifed rākṣasas, mighty and very terrible, were struck down by Bhīmasena. (03-158-5)
He, the mighty-armed one holding mace, sword, and bow, shone resplendent like Indra after having slain all the Dānavas in battle. (03-158-6)
Then they, having passed on and embraced Vṛkodara, there the Pāṇḍavas sat down, having attained the unsurpassable goal. (03-158-7)
The mountain peak shone beautifully with those four great archers, just as heaven shines with its most illustrious guardians, the foremost of gods. (03-158-8)
After seeing Kubera's abode and the slain rakṣasas, the brother spoke to his sitting Pāṇḍava brother. (03-158-9)
O Bhīma, whether committed from impulsiveness or delusion, if this sin was done, O heroic one, it does not befit you, just as false speech does not befit a sage. (03-158-10)
The knowers of dharma have declared that one must not perform what is hateful to the king. O Bhīmasena, this deed, hateful even to the gods, has been done by you. (03-158-11)
O Pārtha, one who disregards wealth and righteousness and turns his mind towards sinful acts, certainly obtains the fruit of sinful actions. Therefore, do not act thus again, if you desire what is dear to me. (03-158-12)
Having spoken thus to Acyuta, his brother, Yudhishthira son of Kunti, knower of the true nature of purpose and greatly radiant, became silent, reflecting only on that matter. (03-158-13)
Then those rākṣasas who were left alive after being slain by Bhīmasena set out together for the abode of Kubera. (03-158-14)
Having reached the abode of Vaiśravaṇa with great speed, they, afflicted by fear of Bhīmasena, made a terrible cry of distress. (03-158-15)
O king, those with weapons laid down, exhausted, their clothes stained with blood, and their hair disheveled, addressed the lord of the Yakṣas. (03-158-16)
All the foremost of your warriors wielding clubs, iron bars, swords, javelins, and spears — the rakṣasas — have been killed, O lord. (03-158-17)
O lord of wealth, a man, having crushed the mountain by force, slew the groups, who were overpowered by anger, all together by one alone. (3-158-18)
O lord of wealth, the foremost among the leaders of rākṣasas and yakṣas—these rivals whose lives have departed—now lie slain, O god. (03-158-19)
The rock has been obtained, we have been released, your jewel-bearing friend has been killed. Since this action has been done by a human, do now whatever is next. (03-158-20)
But he, the enraged lord of all the yakṣa hosts, his eyes reddened with anger, on hearing that, said the words: "How?" (03-158-21)
Having heard the second terrible offence (story), the lord of wealth, the lord of Yakṣas, became angry and said, "Let it be harnessed." (03-158-22)
Then the Gandharvas harnessed the excellent chariot, which was elevated like a mountain peak and resembled a dense rain-cloud, with horses. (03-158-23)
His excellent horses were endowed with all virtues, had pure eyes, possessed brilliance, strength, and speed, and were adorned with various kinds of jewels. (03-158-24)
Radiant and yoked to the chariot, swift as if crossing over, they delighted one another with gestures signifying victory. (03-158-25)
He, the venerable king of kings and great in splendor, mounted that great chariot and departed, while being praised by the gods and Gandharvas. (03-158-26)
As he, the great-souled lord of all Yakṣas and treasures, was departing, those with red eyes, golden-bright, great bodies, and great strength (followed him). (03-158-27)
Ten hundred myriad yakṣa heroes, armed with fastened swords, surrounded and approached at great speed. (03-158-28)
The Pāṇḍavas, their hair bristling with joy, saw nearby the great lord of wealth of pleasing appearance. (03-158-29)
But Kubera, seeing the great-souled sons of Pāṇḍu, great chariot-warriors, with bows and swords drawn, then became pleased. (03-158-30)
Like birds, the very swift ones, led by Dhaneśvara, having leapt to the mountain summit, stood near them. (03-158-31)
Then, O Bhārata, seeing him cheerful-minded toward the Pāṇḍavas, the Yakṣas and Gandharvas stood unperturbed. (03-158-32)
The Pāṇḍavas, those great souls, after bowing to Dhanada the lord, together with Nakula, Sahadeva, and Yudhiṣṭhira the son of Dharma and knower of righteousness. (03-158-33)
All the great chariot-warriors, believing themselves to have committed an offense, stood with joined palms, encircling the lord of wealth. (03-158-34)
The lord of wealth (Kubera) occupied the splendid Puṣpaka aerial car, excellent as a couch and a seat, which was prepared by Viśvakarman and had wonderful boundaries. (03-158-35)
While he was sitting, thousands of yakṣas and rākṣasas of great form, with conical ears and great speed, sat down nearby. (03-158-36)
By the hundreds, and also Gandharvas and groups of Apsarases, having surrounded, attended just as the gods attend Indra. (03-158-37)
Bhimasena, adorned with a beautiful golden garland upon his head and holding arrow, sword, and bow in his hand, gazed upon the lord of wealth (Kubera). (03-158-38)
There was no fear of Bhīma, nor any faintness, even though he had been wounded by the Rākṣasas, in that condition, even as he looked upon Kubera. (03-158-39)
Seeing Bhima, the son of Dharma, standing ready with sharp arrows, eager to fight, Arjuna (Nara-vāhana) spoke. (03-158-40)
O Pārtha, all beings know you as one engaged in the welfare of creatures. Remain fearless and dwell on the mountain peak together with your relatives. (03-158-41)
You should not feel anger towards Bhīmasena, O son of Pāṇḍu. By Time these were already killed; your younger brother was only the cause. (03-158-42)
Here, shame should not be felt for this bold act that has been done. Previously, the destruction of the yakṣas and rākṣasas was also seen by the gods. (03-158-43)
O bull of the Bharatas, I do not feel anger toward Bhīmasena; I am pleased. By this action of Bhīma, I was earlier satisfied. (03-158-44)
Having thus addressed the king, Bhīmasena said: "O beloved, this does not exist in my mind, O best of the Kurus; this bold act, O Bhīma, for the sake of Kṛṣṇa, you have done." (03-158-45)
Disregarding me and the gods, relying upon the strength of one's own arms for the destruction of yakṣas and rākṣasas, by that I am pleased with you; today, O Vṛkodara, I am completely freed from the terrible curse. (03-158-46)
I was earlier cursed by the supreme sage Agastya, who was angry with me on account of some offense; this is the atonement for that. (03-158-47)
Indeed, my affliction was seen by me previously, O delight of the Pāṇḍavas. There is not any fault of yours here at all, O slayer of enemies. (03-158-48)
Yudhishthira said.
O venerable one, how were you cursed by the great-souled Agastya? O god, I desire to hear the cause of your curse. (03-158-49)
It is also wondrous to me that, from the anger of that wise one, you were not burned up then along with your army and attendants. (03-158-50)
Vaiśravaṇa said.
O king, the mantra of the deities came into being in Kuśavatī. There I went, surrounded by three hundred Mahāpadmas of Yakṣas of terrible form, bearing various weapons. (03-158-51)
While on the path, I then saw Agastya, the foremost of sages, engaged in severe penance, residing on the bank of the Yamunā, a place filled with many birds and adorned with blossoming trees. (03-158-52)
However, seeing him standing there with an upraised arm, facing the sun, shining like a mass of blazing fire, like a burning fire. (03-158-53)
O Bhārata, my friend Maṇimān, the fortunate lord of the Rākṣasas, out of folly, ignorance, pride and delusion, spat down from the sky upon the head of that great sage. (03-158-54)
He, burning with anger, spoke these words to me, as if all the directions were on fire: 'Because this wicked-minded one, disregarding me, is your friend.' (03-158-55)
O lord of wealth, this outrage has been committed (against her) in your sight. Therefore, you and your armies will meet your destruction at the hands of a man. (03-158-56)
You too, O wicked-minded, will suffer distress from these slain armies. Seeing that very man, you will be freed from your sin. (03-158-57)
But as for the armies—yours and these, endowed with the strength of sons and grandsons—he will not incur a terrible curse. Go, he will follow your command. (03-158-58)
This curse, which I received earlier from the foremost of sages, O great king, has been lifted by Bhima, your brother. (3-158-59)
