During the two twilights
Rakshasas always put forth their powers of deception. Use all the strength
of thy arms.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'At this speech of Arjuna, Bhima blazing up with
anger, summoned the might that Vayu (his father) puts forth at the time of
the universal dissolution. And filled with rage, he quickly raised high in
the air the Rakshasa's body, blue as the clouds of heaven, and whirled it
a hundred times. Then addressing the cannibal, Bhima said, 'O Rakshasa,
thy intelligence was given thee in vain, and in vain hast thou grown and
thriven on unsanctified flesh. Thou deservest, therefore, an unholy death
and I shall reduce thee today to nothing. I shall make this forest blessed
today, like one without prickly plants. And, O Rakshasa, thou shalt no
longer slay human beings for thy food.' Arjuna at this juncture, said, 'O
Bhima, if thou thinkest it a hard task for thee to overcome this Rakshasa
in combat, let me render thee help, else, slay him thyself without loss of
time. Or, O Vrikodara, let me alone slay the Rakshasa. Thou art tired, and
hast almost finished the affair. Well dost thou deserve rest.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of Arjuna, Bhima was fired
with rage and dashing the Rakshasa on the ground with all his might slew
him as if he were an animal. The Rakshasa, while dying, sent forth a
terrible yell that filled the whole forest, and was deep as the sound of a
wet drum. Then the mighty Bhima, holding the body with his hands, bent it
double, and breaking it in the middle, greatly gratified his brothers.
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