Affectionate as ever toward his brothers, Arjuna—Partha—approached his mother Kunti and greeted her respectfully. “Mother Kunti,” he said, “Bhima has come here. But where has he gone, Mother? I do not see him anywhere, O auspicious one. I have searched throughout the gardens and the forest, but he is nowhere to be found.” Arjuna’s concern deepened. “None of us have seen the heroic Vrikodara. Thinking he had gone ahead, we believed he would be here before us. Now, O blessed one, we have arrived with troubled hearts. Having come here, we ask—where has Bhima gone? Or did you perhaps send him somewhere, Mother? Please tell us, O illustrious one, about mighty-armed Bhimasena. My mind is not at ease concerning that hero, O beautiful one.” Yudhishthira, the wise king of dharma, added anxiously, “Since I think he was sleeping, and Bhima is not here, surely he has been killed.” Kunti, overcome with distress, cried out to Yudhishthira, “My son, I do not see Bhima. He has not come to me.” Yudhishthira responded at once, “Quickly, let us do everything possible to search for him.” Together with his younger brothers, he led the Pandavas on a hurried search through the royal gardens, calling out “Bhima! Bhima!” Their voices rang everywhere, but they could not find their beloved brother. Returning home, the brothers reported to Kunti, “Mother, the mighty-armed Bhima is not seen anywhere in the gardens. All the gardens and even the rivers have been thoroughly searched.” Vidura, the wise Kshatta, confirmed, “Bhimasena is not to be seen.” Kunti’s anxiety only grew. “All the brothers have come back from the gardens together, but Bhima alone does not return to me. He never pleases the eye of Duryodhana, who is cruel, evil-minded, petty, greedy for the kingdom, and shameless. If angered, Suyodhana—Duryodhana—might even kill that heroic one. Because of this, my mind is troubled and my heart burns with fear.” Vidura, ever prudent, gently counseled her, “Do not speak so, O noble lady. Protect the rest of your sons. For that wicked-hearted one, even when warned, might attack your remaining children. But remember, your sons are destined for long life, as the great sage has said. Your son will return and bring you joy.” Having spoken thus, Vidura went to his own residence. Kunti, filled with anxiety, sat at home with her sons, her heart heavy with worry. Meanwhile, in the realm of the Nagas, on the eighth day, Bhima awoke. His strength now immeasurable, he had digested the powerful potion given to him. The Nagas, anxious yet kind, gathered around Bhima and comforted him, saying, “O mighty-armed one, the potion you drank is full of strength. Because of it, you will possess the strength of ten thousand nagas and be invincible in battle.” They continued, “Now go to your home today, bathed in these divine waters. Your brothers, O best of the Kurus, are grieving without you.” Bhima bathed, and the mighty-armed hero, now pure and adorned in spotless white garments and garlands, performed auspicious rites in the naga’s mansion. He ate supreme food, fragrant and purified by antidotal herbs, given by the Nagas themselves. Honored and blessed by the serpents, adorned with divine ornaments, Bhima took leave of the Nagas, his spirit elated. The subduer of foes rose from the realm of the Nagas, and, lifted from the water by the serpents, his eyes shone like lotus petals. In that very part of the forest, the son of Kunti was set down, and as the Pandavas watched, the Nagas vanished from sight. Bhimasena, mighty in strength, arose and swiftly returned to his mother, his powerful arms at his sides. Bowing to Kunti and his eldest brother Yudhishthira, he embraced his younger brothers, pressing their heads with affection. They, in turn, embraced Bhima and their mother, rejoicing in their reunion and exclaiming again and again, “By fortune, by fortune!” Bhimasena, mighty in prowess, then recounted to his brothers all the deeds of Duryodhana, as well as everything that had happened in the world of the Nagas—the merits and the faults—narrating all in detail. King Yudhishthira, wise and thoughtful, then spoke meaningfully to Bhima: “Remain silent; under no circumstances should you speak of this matter. From now on, O son of Kunti, let us protect one another with care.” Having spoken thus, the mighty-armed, righteous king became ever vigilant, together with all his brothers. From that time, the Pandavas understood the dangers they faced and became careful to guard their counsel, while Vidura, ever wise, continued to advise them prudently. Duryodhana, seeing Bhima returned once more, sighed and brooded, tormented day after day. Observing the princes, proud and playing together, the king sought out the teacher Gautama and entrusted the young Kurus to him for instruction. This teacher, Kripa, was versed in the meaning of the Vedas and scriptures, and was born from a clump of arrows. The king entrusted all the Kurus to Kripa, and under his guidance, they began to learn the science of archery. At this point, O Brahman, you may wish to hear of Kripa’s own origin—how he was born from a clump of arrows, and how he obtained his weapons.