"Then Hidimva, 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 Ghatotkacha also-that foremost of Rakshasas-promising unto his father that he would come when wanted on business, saluted them and went away northward. Indeed, it was the illustrious Indra who created by lending a portion of himself) the mighty car-warrior Ghatotkacha as a fit antagonist of Karna of unrivalled energy, in consequence of the dart he had given unto Karna (and wbich was sure to kill the person against whom it would be hurled)."
Thus ends the hundred and fifty-seventh section in the Hidimva. badha Parva of the Adi Parva.
SECTION CLVIII
(Hidimva-Badha Parva continued)
Vaisampayana 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 Pancha las 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 Kunti in their company those illustrious heroes were attired in the garbs of ascetics. And those mighty car-warriors sometimes they 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 Rick and the other Vedas and also all the Vedangas as well as as the sciences of morals and politics. And the Pandavas, conversant with the science of morals, met, in course of their wanderings their grandfather (Vyasa). And saluting the illustrious Krishna Dwaipayana, those chastisers of enemies, with their mother, stood before him with joined hands.
"Vyasa then said, 'Ye bulls of Bivarata's race, I knew beforehand of this affliction of yours consisting in your deceitful exile by the son of Dbritarashtra 1 Knowing this, I have come to you, desirous of doing you some great good. Do not grieve for what hath befallen you. Know that all this is for your happiness! Undoubtedly, the sons of Dhritarashtra and you all are equal in my eye. But men are always partial to
