After the fierce battle, Hidimba lay lifeless upon the ground, his massive form felled like a tree struck by lightning. The Pandavas, witnessing the demon's defeat, felt a surge of joy. Hidimba's sister, the rakshasi Hidimba, watched as her brother was slain. Around them, invisible beings—sages and celestial wanderers—had gathered, and they too rejoiced at the victory. They praised Bhimasena, calling out, "Well done, well done!" The brothers, led by Yudhishthira, shared in the delight, honoring Bhima, the tiger among men, the destroyer of foes. After paying homage to the great-souled Bhima, renowned for his terrible prowess, Arjuna addressed Vrikodara, saying, "O mighty one, I believe there is a city not far from this forest. Let us go quickly—may good fortune attend you—so that Suyodhana does not discover us." The Pandavas, together with their mother Kunti, agreed, saying, "So be it." They set out, the tiger-like brothers accompanied by Hidimba, the rakshasi. Hidimba, the sister of the slain demon, swiftly approached the Pandavas without uttering a word. She bowed respectfully to Kunti and to the righteous king Yudhishthira, honoring them all before addressing Bhimasena. With humility, she confessed, "From the moment I saw you, I have been overtaken by love. I have forsaken my cruel brother's command and cannot restrain myself from you. I witnessed your fierce actions, rivaling those of the rakshasas, and I wish to serve you, to attend to your body." The Pandavas reminded her, "Rakshasas, relying on deluding magic, remember enmity. Hidimba, go your own way, this path frequented by your brother. Even if you are angry, O tiger among men, Bhima, do not slay a woman. Protect, O Pandava, the dharma that is higher than bodily safety. You have slain the mighty demon who came with intent to kill; what can his sister do to us, even if enraged?" Hidimba, bowing with joined palms to Kunti, spoke to Yudhishthira, son of Kunti. "Noble lady, you know the suffering that love brings to women; this suffering has now come upon me because of Bhimasena, O auspicious one. I have endured that great pain, waiting for the right time; now that time has arrived, and happiness will dawn for me. I have abandoned friends, my own duty, and my kin, and I have chosen this tiger among men, your son, as my husband, O auspicious one. If I am rejected by this hero and by you, O renowned lady, I will not live; this I tell you truly." She pleaded, "If you are able to show compassion to me, O woman of excellent complexion, whether you think me foolish or devoted and following you, please do so. O greatly fortunate one, unite me with your son as his wife; after taking him, I will go wherever I wish, as if he were a god; and I will bring him back again. Place your trust in me, O auspicious one. I will obtain him at the appointed time from his elder brother or another relative; then, at night, he approached with the intent to kill Bhimasena. As he advanced and confronted his enemy, so I, overcome by desire, approached the Pandava." She explained, "O noble lady, I am not a rakshasi nor a night-wandering spirit; I am the sister of the ruler of the rakshasas, Sālakaṭaṅkaṭa, O queen. Joined with your son, O youthful one of divine complexion, I will serve you all, placing Vrikodara at the forefront. I will be attentive among the inattentive, always eager to serve; I will rescue the righteous as a servant, O best of men. I will carry you upon my back as if you were virtuous souls in a celestial chariot; please show me favor, so that Bhimasena may accept me." When her request was rejected, Hidimba declared, "I will go to the worlds of the wicked upon the earth, there is no doubt. I will always know everything by contemplating in my mind; when in distress, I will sustain my life, not by anyone else." She spoke of dharma, saying, "One must fulfill all duties, considering righteousness; he who sustains himself in adversity is indeed the foremost knower of dharma. Calamity is indeed the adversity of dharma; for the righteous, adversity is called misfortune. He who preserves his life in adversity gains merit. One may practice righteousness by any means; there is no blame in that. Save me also, who am afflicted by desire, as you would a woman in great distress. The virtuous show compassion in matters of dharma, wealth, desire, and liberation; the sages devoted to dharma declare this to be righteousness." Hidimba then revealed her divine knowledge: "By divine knowledge I know the past and the future; therefore I will tell you what is best—the excellent lake is near. Today, after reaching the lake, bathe and rest beneath the tree; tomorrow at dawn, a great and wondrous being, the lord of the world, will appear. When you see Vyāsa, lotus-eyed, you will cast off your sorrow, and the exile from the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and the burning at Vāraṇāvata. Vidura has arranged protection for you, as known by the eye of knowledge; at the dwelling of Śālihotra, he will provide you shelter." She described the sacred tree, "This sacred tree endures rain, wind, and sun; once you have drunk water, hunger and thirst will vanish. By the austerity of Śālihotra, the lake and the tree were created; kādamba birds, cranes, swans, and kuraras with their mates are there." Hearing Hidimba's words, Kunti responded, "You are indeed the best among the righteous; listen to what I say, O Bhārata.