And those
heroic chastisers of foes, with their mother, together took one moiety of
the whole, while the mighty Bhima alone took the other moiety. In this way,
O bull of Bharata's race, the illustrious Pandavas lived there for some
time.
"One day, while those bulls of the Bharata race were out on their tour of
mendicancy, it so happened that Bhima was (at home) with (his mother)
Pritha. That day, O Bharata, Kunti heard a loud and heart-rending wail of
sorrow coming from within the apartments of the Brahmana. Hearing the
inmates of the Brahmana's house wailing and indulging in piteous
lamentations, Kunti, O king, from compassion and the goodness of her heart,
could not bear it with indifference. Afflicted with sorrow, the amiable
Pritha, addressing Bhima, said these words full of compassion. 'Our woes
assuaged, we are, O son, living happily in the house of this Brahmana,
respected by him and unknown to Dhritarashtra's son. O son, I always think
of the good I should do to this Brahmana, like what they do that live
happily in others' abodes! O child, he is a true man upon whom favours are
never lost. He payeth back to others more than what he receiveth at their
hands. There is no doubt, some affliction hath overtaken this Brahmana. If
we could be of any help to him, we should then be requiting his services.'
"Hearing these words of his mother, Bhima said, 'Ascertain, O mother the
nature of the Brahmana's distress and whence also it hath arisen.
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