SECTION CLIV
(Hidimva Badha Parva)
Vaisampayana said, "Not far from the place where the Pandavas were asleep, a Rakshasa by name Hidimva dwelt on the Sala tree. Possessed of great energy and prowess, he was a cruel cannibal of visage that was grim in consequence of his sharp and long teeth. He was now hungry and longing for human food. Of long shanks and a large belly. his locks and beard were both red in hue. His shoulders were broad like the neck of a tree; his ears were like unto arrows, and his features were frightful. O red eyes and grim visage, the monster beheld, while casting his glances around, the sons of Pandu sleeping in those woods. He was then hungry and longing for human flesh. Shaking his dry and grizzly locks and scratching them with his fingers pointed upwards, the large-mouched cannibal repeatedly looked at the sleeping sons of Pandu yawning wishfully at times. Of huge body and great strength, of complexion like a mass of clouds, of teeth long and sharp-pointed and face emitting a sort of lustre, he was ever pleased with human food. And scenting the odour of man, he addressed his sister, saying, 'O sister, it is after a long time that such agreeable food hath approached me! My mouth waters at the anticipated relish of such food. My eight teeth, so sharp pointed and incapable of being resisted any substance, I shall. to-day, after a long time. put into the most delicious flesh. Attacking the human throat and even opening the veins, I shall (to-day) drink a plentiful quantity of human blood, hot and fresh and forthy. Go and ascertain who these are, lying asleep in these woods! The strong scent of man pleaseth my nostrils. Slaughtering all these men, bring them unto me. They sleep within my dominion. Thou needest have no fear from them. Do my bidding soon, for we shall then together eat their flesh, tearing off their bodies at pleasure. And after feasting to our bill on human flesh we shall then dance together to various measures !
- Thus addressed by Hidimva in those woods, Hidimva, the female cannibal, at the command of her brother, went, O bull of Bharata's race, to the spot where the Pandavas were. And on going there, she beheld the Pandavas asleep with their mother and the invincible Bhimasena sitting awake. And beholding Bhimasena unrivalled on earth for beauty and like unto a vigorous Sala tree, the Rakshasa woman immediately fell in love with him, and she said to herself -'This person of hue like
