वैशम्पायन उवाच स भीमसेनस्तेजस्वी तथा सर्पवशं गतः। चिन्तयामास सर्पस्य वीर्यमत्यद्भुतं महत्॥
Vaishampayana said : . The energetic Bhimasena being thus overpowered by the serpent began to ponder on the mighty and wonderful strength of the snake.
उवाच च महासधैं कामया ब्रूहि पन्नग। कस्त्वं भो भुजगश्रेष्ठ किं मया च करिष्यसि॥
And he said to that mighty snake “O best of serpents, O snake, kindly tell me who you are and what you will do with me.
पाण्डवो भीमसेनोऽहंधर्मराजादनन्तरः। नागायुतसमप्राणस्त्वया नीतः कथं वशम्॥
I am the Pandava, Bhimasena and the younger brother to Dharmaraja. How is it that I, who am possessed of the strength of ten thousand elephants, have been brought under your power?
सिंहाः केसरिणो व्याघ्रा महिषा वारणास्तथा। समागताश्च शतशो निहताश्च मया युधि॥
I have in battle slain countless lions, lions having manes, tigers, buffaloes and elephants all assembled together,
राक्षसाश्च पिशाचाश्च पन्नगाश्च महाबलाः। भुजवेगमशक्ता मे सोढुं पन्नगसत्तम॥
O excellent of serpents, the exceedingly powerful Rakshasas, Pishachas and Pannagas cannot endure the force of my even arms.
नु किं विद्याबलं किं नु वरदानमथो तव। उद्योगमपि कुर्वाणो वशगोऽस्मि कृतस्त्वया॥
Is it my virtue of any science or by that of any boon conferred on you that you have been able to overpower me inspite of my exertions?
असत्यो विक्रमो नृणामिति मेधीयते मतिः। यथेदं मे त्वया नाग बलं प्रतिहतं महत्॥
Now it appears to my mind that the strength of men is fruitless, since, O serpent, you have overmastered my great strength."
वैशम्पायन उवाच इत्येवंवादिनं वीरं भीममक्लिष्टकारिणम्। भोगेन महता गृह्य समन्तात् पर्यवेष्टयत्॥
When the heroic Bhima of great achievements was saying all this, the serpent seized him and coiled him all round with its gigantic body.
निगृह्येनं महाबाहुं ततः स भुजगस्तदा। विमुच्यास्य भुजौ पीनाविदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
Having thus overpowered that one of mighty arms and then liberated his plump hands the serpent said these words.
दिष्टस्त्वं क्षुधितस्याद्य देवैर्भक्षो महाभुज। दिष्ट्या कालस्य महतः प्रियाः प्राणा हि देहिनाम्।।
O mighty armed being, I have been hungry for a long time. It is to my good fortune, therefore, that you have been today, destined by the god for my food; for life is dear to all corporeal beings.
यथा त्विदं मया प्राप्तं सर्वरूपमरिंदम। तथावश्यं मया ख्याप्यं तवाद्य शृणु सत्तम॥
O tormentor of foes, it should be surely narrated by me today how have I worn this snake-shape. Listen, O virtuous being.
इमामवस्थां सम्प्राप्तो ह्यहं कोपान्मनीषिणाम्। शापस्यान्तं परिप्रेप्सुः सर्वं तत् कथयामि ते॥
I have been brought down to this state on account of the anger of the Maharshis, now desirous of expiating the curse I shall relate to you all about it.
नहुषो नाम राजर्षिर्व्यक्तं ते श्रोत्रमागतः तवैव पूर्वः पूर्वेषामायोर्वंशधरः सुतः॥
It is known (to everybody) that there was a royal sage, named Nahusha and you too, no doubt have heard of him. He was the ancestor of your forefathers, the son of Ayu and the perpetuator of his race.
सोऽहं शापादगस्त्यस्य ब्राह्मणानवमन्य च। इमामवस्थामापन्नः पश्य दैवमिदं मम॥
I am he. Owing to my disregard for the Brahmanas I have fallen into this plight by the curse of Agastya. Now behold my fated wretchedness.
त्वां चेदवध्यं दायादमतीव प्रियदर्शनम्। अहमद्योपयोक्ष्यामि विधानं पश्य यादृशम्॥
Though you are my descendant, exceedingly handsome and therefore should not be killed by me, yet I will eat you up today.
न हि मे मुच्यते कश्चित् कथंचित् प्रग्रहं गतः। गजो वा महिषो वापि षष्ठे काले नरोत्तम॥
O the best of mortals, whether it be a cow or a buffalo, whatever comes within my reach during the sixth part of the day, cannot escape (from me).
नासि केवलसर्पण तिर्यग्योनिषु वर्तता। गृहीतः कौरवश्रेष्ठ वरदानमिदं मम॥
O the best of the Kurus, you have been overpowered not by the strength of an animal of a lower order, but by virtue of the boon that it received.
पतता हि विमानायान्मया शक्रासनाद् द्रुतम्। कुरु शापान्तमित्युक्तो भगवान् मुनिसत्तमः॥
When I was rapidly falling (down on earth) from the throne of Shakra, placed in front of the palace, I besought the divine and excellent sage (Agastya) to free me from the curse.
स मामुवाच तेजस्वी कृपयाभिपरिप्लुतः। मोक्षस्ते भविता राजन् कस्माच्चित् कालपर्ययात्॥
(At which) that energetic sage, filled with pity, replied to me "you will get rid of it after the expiration some time."
ततोऽस्मि पतितो भूमौ न च मामजहात् स्मृतिः। स्मार्तमस्ति पुराणं मे यथैवाधिगतं तथा।॥
I then fell down to the earth, but my memory did not fail me. Therefore do I still remember the past, however ancient it might be.
यस्तु ते व्याहतान् प्रश्नान् प्रतिब्रूयाद् विभागवित्। स त्वां मोक्षयिता शापादिति मामब्रवीदृषिः॥
That sage (Agastya) told me also however conversant with the relation subsisting between the soul and the Supreme being shall be able to answer your questions shall free you, from the curse.
गृहीतस्य त्वया राजन् प्राणिनोऽपि बलीयसः। सत्त्वभ्रंशोऽधिकस्यापि सर्वस्याशु भविष्यति॥
And, O king, beings stronger than yourself if seized by you, shall instantly lose their strength.”
इति चाप्यहमश्रौषं वचस्तेषां दयावताम्। मयि संजातहार्दनामथ तेऽन्तर्हिता द्विजाः॥
I heard all these words of those kind-hearted sages who conceived an attachment towards ones me. (And) those twice-born then vanished.
सोऽहं परमदुष्कर्मा वसामि निरयेऽशुचौ। सर्पयोनिमिमां प्राप्य कालकाक्षी महाद्युते॥
(Thenceforth) I, who had committed numerous reprehensible acts, having become a serpent, O highly resplendent being, have been dwelling in filthy hell (anxiously) awaiting (the time of the expiration of my curse).
तमुवाच महाबाहुर्भीमसेनो भुजङ्गमम्। न च कुप्ये महासर्प न चात्मानं विगर्हये।।२५।
Then the mighty-armed Bhimasena said ic the snake "O highly-energetic creature, I am neither angry nor do I blame myself,
यस्मादभावी भावी वा मनुष्यः सुखदुःखयोः। आगमे यदि वापाये न तत्र ग्लपयेन्मनः॥
Because man has sometimes the power of and sometimes becomes powerless in bringing or destroying happiness or sorrow. None should on that account, distress his mind.
दैवं पुरुषकारेण को वञ्चयितुमर्हति। दैवमेव परं मन्ये पुरुषार्थो निरर्थकः॥
Who can rise superior to Destiny by selfexertion? I think Destiny is supreme and selfexertion fruitless.
पश्य दैवोपघाताद्धि भुजवीर्यव्यपाश्रयम्। इमामवस्थां सम्प्राप्तमनिमित्तमिहाद्य माम्॥
For, behold, struck by (the perversity of) Destiny I have today lost the strength of my arms and been reduced to this condition for no evident cause.
किंतु नाद्यानुशोचामि तथाऽऽत्मानं विनाशितम्। यथा तु विपिने न्यस्तान् भ्रातृन् राज्यपरिच्युतान्।।२९।
But this day I do not so much grieve for my death as for my brothers, who have been driven from their kingdom into exile in the forest.
हिमवांश्च सुदुर्गोऽयं यक्षराक्षससंकुलः। मां समुद्रीक्षमाणास्ते प्रपतिष्यन्ति विह्वलाः॥
This Himalayan (mountain) is inaccessible and full of the Yakshas and the Rakshasas. Here looking about for me they will be dejected and crest fallen.
विनष्टमथ मां श्रुत्वा भविष्यन्ति निरुद्यमाः। धर्मशीला मया ते हि बाध्यन्ते राज्यगृद्धिना॥
Hearing of my death they will give up all exertions (for the recovery of their kingdom). (For), it was I, who, eager for the recovery of our kingdom, incited those pious ones, by harsh words (to make exertions to regain it),
अथवा नार्जुनोधीमान् विषादमुपयास्यति। सर्वास्त्रविदनाधृष्यो देवगन्धर्वराक्षसैः॥
Or, (it may be) that Arjuna (alone) will not grieve (for me); because he is intelligent, versed in the science of) all weapons and unconquerable by the gods, the Gandharvas and the Rakshasas,
समर्थः स महाबाहुरेकोऽपि सुमहाबलः। देवराजमपि स्थानात् प्रच्यावयितुपञ्जसा॥ किं पुनधृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्रं दुर्दूतदेविनम्। विद्विष्टं सर्वलोकस्य दम्भमोहपरायणम्॥
Not to speak of the son of Dhritarashtra, that deceitful gambler, despised by all men and full of arrogance and ignorance, he (Arjuna) of mighty arms and endued with exceeding prowess is alone no doubt, capable of tearing the lord of the celestials from his throne.
मातरं चैव शोचामि कृपणां पुत्रगृद्धिनीम्। यास्माकं नित्यमाशास्ते महत्त्वमधिकं परैः॥
And I mourn for my poor mother fond of her children, who is always desirous of our greatness superior to that ever attained by our enemies.
तस्याः कथं त्वनाथाया मद्विनाशाद् भुजङ्गमा सफलास्ते भविष्यन्ति मयि सर्वे मनोरथाः॥
And, O serpent, will all the hopes and desires that helpless woman has in me prove fruitless on account of my death?
नकुलः सहदेवश्च यमौ च गुरुवर्तिनौ। मद्बाहुबलसंगुप्तौ नित्यं पुरुषमानिनौ।॥
And the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, ever proud of (my) manliness and always protected by the prowess of my arms and who ever follow (me) their lord,
भविष्यतो निरुत्साहौ भ्रष्टवीर्यपराक्रमौ। मद्विनाशात् परिघुनाविति मे वर्तते मतिः॥
Will, at my death, be dispirited, deprived of strength and energy and smitten with sorrow. This is what I think of now."
एवंविधं बहु तदा विललाप वृकोदरः। भुजङ्गभोगसंरुद्धो नाशकच्च विचेष्टितुम्॥
In this strain Vrikodara gave vent to his grief profusely. But being coiled by the body of the snake. could not make any exertions (to extricate himself from its folds).
युधिष्ठिरस्तु कौन्तेयो बभूवास्वस्थचेतनः। अनिष्टदर्शनान् घोरानुत्पातान् परिचिन्तयन्॥
On the other hand, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, beholding and thinking of terrible ill omens became uneasy.
दारुणं ह्यशिवं नादं शिवा दक्षिणतः स्थिता। दीप्तायां दिशि वित्रस्ता रौति तस्याश्रमस्य ह॥
Alarmed at beholding the points all ablaze, Jackals, stationing themselves in the right of that hermitage, began to send forth dreadful and inauspicious howls.
एकपक्षाक्षिचरणा वर्तिका घोरदर्शना। रक्तं वमन्ती ददृशे प्रत्यादित्यमभासुरा॥
And facing the sun, the ugly and dreadfullooking Vartika, having only one leg, one eye and one wing, was seen to vomit blood.
प्रववौ चानिलो रूक्षश्चण्डः शर्करकर्षणः। अपसव्यानि सर्वाणि मृगपक्षिरुतानि च॥
And drawing in (volumes of) grifts the wind began to blow dryly and furiously. In the right all the birds and beasts began to bewail.
पृष्ठतो वायसः कृष्णो याहि याहीति शंसति। मुहुर्मुहुः स्फुरति च दक्षिणोऽस्य भुज-तथा॥
And at the back the black-crows cried "go, go." And his (Yudhishthira's) right hand began to tremble constantly;
हृदयं चरणश्चापि वामोऽस्य परितप्यति। सव्यस्याक्ष्णो विकारश्चाप्यनिष्टः समपद्यत॥
And his heart and left leg began to twitch and his left eye auguring evils, began to contract. to
धर्मराजोऽपि मेधावी मन्यमानो महद् भयम्। द्रौपदी परिपप्रच्छ क्व भीम इति भारत॥
And, O Bharata, the intelligent Dharmaraja apprehending some imminent danger asked Draupadi "where is Bhima”?
शशंस तस्मै पाञ्चाली चिरयातं वृकोदरम्। स प्रतस्थे महाबाहुधौम्येन सहितो नृपः॥
The daughter of Panchala answered "Vrikodara has been long out.” Then he of mighty arms, accompanied by Dhaumya left (the place),
द्रौपद्या रक्षणं कार्यमित्युवाचधनंजयम्। नकुलं सहदेवं च व्यादिदेश द्विजान् प्रति॥
After having given instructions Dhananjaya for the protection of Draupadi and having directed Nakula and Sahadeva to take care of the Brahmanas.
स तस्य पदमुन्नीय तस्मादेवाश्रमात् प्रभुः। मृगयामास कौन्तेयो भीमसेनं महावने॥
Then the royal son of Kunti left that hermitage and tracing his (Bhima's) foot prints began to search about for Bhimasena in that mighty forest.
स प्राची दिशमास्थाय महतो गजयूथपान्। ददर्श पृथिवीं चिट्ठीमस्य परिचिछिताम्॥
In the west he found many powerful leaders of elephant (killed) and saw the ground impressed with Bhima's (foot) prints.
ततो मृगसहराणि मृगेन्द्राणां शतानि च। पतितानि वने दृष्ट्वा मार्ग तस्याविशनृपः॥
Then beholding many thousands of deer and hundreds of lions lying (dead) in that forest, the king became aware of his (Bhima's) route.
धावतस्तस्य वीरस्य मृगार्थं वातरंहसः। ऊरुवातविनिर्भग्ना द्रुमा व्यावर्जिताः पथि॥
And he behold numerous trees broken by the wind, caused by Bhima's thighs, lying scattered on the way as that hero of fleet as the wind pursued the game.
स गत्वा तैस्तदा चिद्वैर्ददर्श गिरिगह्वरे। रूक्षमारुतभूयिष्ठे निष्पत्रदुमसंकुले।॥ ईरिणे निर्जले देशे कण्टकिदुमसंकुले। अश्मस्थाणुक्षुपाकीर्णे सुदुर्गे विषमोत्कटे। गृहीतं भुजगेन्द्रेण निश्चेष्टमनुजं तदा॥
And following those marks he arrived at a brackish inaccessible, rough and dangerous place full of dry winds and leafless trees, covered with thorny plants and abounding in gravels, stumps and bushes: and there in a mountain cave he discovered his younger brother (lying) stupefied in the folds of that best of snakes.