Upon hearing the words of the rākṣasī Hiḍimbā, Yudhiṣṭhira acknowledged that, though her intentions were born of desire, she had spoken truly of dharma. He reflected that, despite her nature, Hiḍimbā could do no harm to Bhīma. Addressing her gently, he agreed with what she had said, yet instructed her to act according to righteousness. He asked her to perform her daily religious duties, to bathe and keep herself pure, and to remain adorned and beautiful. Yudhiṣṭhira further advised her that, after bathing and completing her morning rituals, she should approach Bhīmasena only after sunrise, adorned with auspicious ornaments. During the day, she was free to roam with Bhīma as she wished, but when night fell, she must always bring him back. Before dawn, she was to release him and keep him safe, enjoying his company only until she saw the signs of pregnancy. He reminded her that this was their agreement, and that she must serve with constant goodwill and propriety. Hiḍimbā, having listened to Yudhiṣṭhira’s words, gently lifted Kuntī onto her hip, placed Bhīma and Arjuna at her sides, and was led by the twins. Together, they journeyed—Hiḍimbā moving with Bhīma—until they reached the delightful lake of Śālihotra, seeking water. Arriving beneath a great tree, Hiḍimbā cleaned the ground as carefully as if she were preparing a home, and constructed a leafy hut for the Pāṇḍavas to dwell in. Kuntī performed her own ablutions separately, and after all had bathed and completed their twilight worship, the Pāṇḍavas felt purified. Yet, tormented by thirst and hunger, they could only sustain themselves with water. Śālihotra, seeing their plight, began to ponder how to provide them with food and water. At last, the Pāṇḍavas and Kuntī rested together, recounting in detail the perils they had faced in the house of lac and the battle with the rākṣasa. After sharing many such stories, Kuntī spoke to Bhīmasena, reminding him that the honor due to his father Pāṇḍu was also due to his elder brother Yudhiṣṭhira. She explained that, as the knower of dharma, Yudhiṣṭhira should be honored above all, and that for the sake of their lineage, Bhīma must do what was best for the crown prince. She lamented the wrongs done to them by Duryodhana, whose wickedness seemed beyond remedy, and urged Bhīma that, for their safety and sustenance, they must remain hidden in this inaccessible place for a time. Kuntī acknowledged the hardship of their situation, calling it a trial of dharma. She observed that Hiḍimbā, driven by desire, had chosen Bhīma, but had also approached both herself and Yudhiṣṭhira according to righteousness. For the sake of dharma and the family’s good fortune, Kuntī asked Bhīma to grant Hiḍimbā a son. She concluded, “Do as we have said; I do not wish to argue further.” Bhīma, ever obedient, replied that he would follow her command as faithfully as he would obey the Veda. In the presence of his brothers, he spoke to Hiḍimbā, setting forth their agreement: he would remain with her for as long as it took to beget a son, but she must never reveal her rākṣasa origin to anyone near him. Hiḍimbā agreed to these terms. From then on, during the day, Hiḍimbā would travel to nearby settlements and bring back food fit for a king. Sometimes, for pleasure, she would take Bhīmasena with her and ascend to splendid mountain peaks and temples of the gods. In all these beautiful places—where wild animals and birds roamed freely—she assumed a most radiant form, adorned with every ornament, and delighted Bhīma with sweet and charming words. Together, they wandered through lovely lakes, groves of lotuses and water-lilies, riverbanks and shining islands, sacred forests, holy mountain slopes, pure streams, the shores of the ocean adorned with gold and gems, the dwellings of hidden spirits, and on the peaks of great mountains. Amidst fruit-laden trees and delightful groves, Hiḍimbā, displaying her supreme beauty, brought joy to Bhīma. Their happiness was likened to that of a virtuous man rejoicing in heaven with an apsara. Bhīma, though he gazed often upon her loveliness—her hips adorned with jeweled girdles—never tired of her company. Hiḍimbā, swift as thought, delighted Bhīma again and again in all those wondrous places, and she herself found ever-increasing joy with him. By day, she brought happiness to the Pandava, and at night, she would bring him to her own home and present him to her mother. Yet, Bhīma always returned to sleep with his brothers, while Hiḍimbā, ever attentive, served Kuntī and remained constantly at her side, day and night. Hiḍimbā would bring food and delicacies as she pleased. When the night had passed, the great sage Vyāsa, son of Parāśara, arrived—wise, possessing divine sight, and renowned for his austerity. All greeted him with joined palms, including Kuntī, the noble daughter-in-law, as a new chapter of their journey began.