Leaving the boat, they proceeded in the southern
direction finding their way in the dark by the light of the stars. After
much suffering they at last reached, O king, a dense forest. They were
then tired and thirsty; sleep was closing their eyes every moment. Then
Yudhishthira, addressing Bhima endued with great energy, said, 'What can
be more painful than this? We are now in the deep woods. We know not which
side is which, nor can we proceed much further. We do not know whether
that wretch Purochana hath or hath not been burnt to death. How shall we
escape from these dangers unseen by others? O Bharata, taking us on
thyself, proceed thou as before. Thou alone amongst us art strong and
swift as the wind.'
"Thus addressed by Yudhishthira the just, the mighty Bhimasena, taking up
on his body Kunti and his brothers, began to proceed with great
celerity."
SECTION CLIII
(Jatugriha Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said," As the mighty Bhima proceeded, the whole forest with
its trees and their branches seemed to tremble, in consequence of their
clash with his breast. The motion of his thighs raised a wind like unto
that which blows during the months of Jyaishtha and Ashadha (May and June).
And the mighty Bhima proceeded, making a path for himself, but treading
down the trees and creepers before him. In fact, he broke (by the pressure
of his body) the large trees and plants, with their flowers and fruits,
standing on his way. Even so passeth through the woods breaking down
mighty trees, the leader of a herd of elephants, of the age of sixty years,
angry and endued with excess of energy, during the season of rut when the
liquid juice trickle down the three parts of his body.
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