Then the
Rakshasa, saying that he was none else than Vaka, sprang upon the Pandava
and seized the mighty Bhima with his arms. That mighty hero also clasping
with his own strong arms the strong-armed Rakshasa, and exerting himself
actively, began to drag him violently. Dragged by Bhima and dragging Bhima
also, the cannibal was overcome with great fatigue. The earth began to
tremble in consequence of the strength they both exerted, and large trees
that stood there broke in pieces. Then Bhima, beholding the cannibal
overcome with fatigue, pressed him down on the earth with his knees and
began to strike him with great force. Then placing one knee on the middle
of the Rakshasa's back, Bhima seized his neck with his right hand and the
cloth on his waist with his left, and bent him double with great force.
The cannibal then roared frightfully. And, O monarch, he also began to
vomit blood while he was being thus broken on Bhima's knee.'"
SECTION CLXVI
(Vaka-vadha Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said 'Then Vaka, huge as a mountain, thus broken (on Bhima's
knee), died, uttering frightful yells. Terrified by these sounds, the
relatives of that Rakshasa came out, O king, with their attendants. Bhima,
that foremost of smiters, seeing them so terrified and deprived of reason,
comforted them and made them promise (to give up cannibalism), saying, 'Do
not ever again kill human beings. If ye kill men, ye will have to die even
as Vaka.' Those Rakshasas hearing this speech of Bhima, said, 'So be it,'
and gave, O king, the desired promise.
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