Therefore, delay thou not. Thou knowest thyself to be
strong and endued with prowess, so thou shalt rightly estimate thy
strength today in thy encounter with me. Until that, I will not slay these
(thy brothers). Let them sleep comfortably. But I will, as thou art a fool
and the utterer of evil speeches, slay thee first. After drinking thy
blood, I will slay these also, and then last of all, this (sister of mine)
that hath done me an injury.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Saying this, the cannibal, extending his arms
ran in wrath towards Bhimasena, that chastiser of foes. Then Bhima of
terrible prowess quickly seized, as though in sport, with great force, the
extended arms of the Rakshasa who had rushed at him. Then seizing the
struggling Rakshasa with violence, Bhima dragged him from that spot full
thirty-two cubits like a lion dragging a little animal. Then the Rakshasa,
thus made to feel the weight of Bhima's strength, became very angry and
clasping the Pandava, sent forth a terrible yell. The mighty Bhima then
dragged with force the Rakshasa to a greater distance, lest his yells
should awaken his brothers sleeping in comfort. Clasping and dragging each
other with great force, both Hidimva and Bhimasena put forth their prowess.
Fighting like two full-grown elephants mad with rage, they then began to
break down the trees and tear the creepers that grew around. And at those
sounds, those tigers among men (the sleeping Pandavas) woke up with their
mother, and saw Hidimva sitting before them.
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