Behold now that couple--
man and Rakshasa--both endued with great strength and prowess, engaged in
combat, grinding each other and filling the whole region with their
shouts.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing those words of hers, Yudhishthira
suddenly rose up and Arjuna also and Nakula and Sahadeva of great energy
and they beheld Bhima and the Rakshasa already engaged in fight, eager to
overcome each other and dragging each other with great force, like two
lions endued with great might. The dust raised by their feet in
consequence of that encounter looked like the smoke of a forest-
conflagration. Covered with that dust their huge bodies resembled two tall
cliffs enveloped in mist. Then Arjuna, beholding Bhima rather oppressed in
the fight by the Rakshasa, slowly, said with smiles on his lips, 'Fear not,
O Bhima of mighty arms! We (had been asleep and therefore) knew not that
thou wast engaged with a terrible Rakshasa and tired in fight. Here do I
stand to help thee, let me slay the Rakshasa, and let Nakula and Sahadeva
protect our mother.' Hearing him, Bhima said, 'Look on this encounter, O
brother, like a stranger. Fear not for the result. Having come within the
reach of my arms, he shall not escape with life.' Then Arjuna said, 'What
need, O Bhima, for keeping the Rakshasa alive so long? O oppressor of
enemies, we are to go hence, and cannot stay here longer. The east is
reddening, the morning twilight is about to set in. The Rakshasa became
stronger by break of day, therefore, hasten, O Bhima! Play not (with thy
victim), but slay the terrible Rakshasa soon.
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