When Hiḍimbā, her heart full of love, addressed Bhīma, she said, “If you remember me, beloved, and wish for me in secret, O lord, then I will swiftly come under your command, O Bharata.” Having spoken thus, she fixed her mind upon the noble Pāṇḍava, recalling the agreement they had made, and quickly departed on her own path. Soon after, the Pāṇḍavas, honored by the sage Śalihotra with simple forest fare, took their leave from his hermitage. With their mother Kuntī, they adopted the appearance of ascetics, fashioning matted locks for themselves and clothing their bodies in garments of bark and deerskin. Though they disguised themselves, their minds remained steadfast in righteousness and justice, and they devoted themselves to the study of the Brahmanical Veda, all branches of learning, the science of ethics, and the knowledge of law. By the favor and affection of Śalihotra, the brothers journeyed from forest to forest, hunting groups of animals and moving swiftly onward, displaying the might of chariot-warriors. Along their wanderings, they beheld the lands of the Matsyas, Trigartas, Panchālas, and the regions of the Kīcakas, as well as beautiful stretches of forest and serene lakes. Sometimes, as they hurried through the wilderness, the brothers would carry their mother, Kuntī, when she grew weary; sometimes they stood joyfully, and at other times moved at their own pace or pressed forward with renewed vigor. Along the path, they came upon their grandfather, the revered sage Dvaipayana Vyāsa. Together with their mother, the scorers of foes greeted the great-souled Kṛṣṇa Dvaipayana, standing before him with joined palms in reverence. Vyāsa, knowing of their departure from the hermitage and learning of Ghaṭotkaca’s birth, rejoiced greatly. He spoke to them, “Near this city lies a pleasant and healthy place; here you may dwell concealed, awaiting my arrival.” With these words, Vyāsa comforted the Pāṇḍavas and reassured Kuntī, who had come to Ekacakra. He then imparted wisdom, saying, “A man should not perform only righteousness, nor only unrighteousness; in this world, there is no one who does only good or only evil. The doer inevitably receives the fruit of both virtue and sin; by the result of evil deeds, great misfortune has been attained.” Having thus spoken, Vyāsa settled them in the dwelling of a Brahman and, his task complete, departed as he wished. The sons of Kuntī, mighty chariot-warriors all, arrived at Ekacakra. There, they did not remain long in the Brahman’s house. They wandered about, gazing upon delightful forests, the lands of kings, and many rivers and lakes. The citizens of Ekacakra, remembering Yudhiṣṭhira and Kuntī, attended to them with kindness and curiosity. At this time, the Pāṇḍavas, with matted hair and observing celibacy, went about for alms and became beloved to the townspeople through their virtues. Handsome, radiant, and auspicious like children of the gods, they were gentle ascetics, worthy both of alms and of a kingdom. Yet the people whispered among themselves, “These gentle ascetics, though Brahmins, do not truly behave as such; they wander secretly upon the earth for some unknown reason. Endowed with all marks of excellence, they are not fit to beg for alms always; they must be acting for some purpose.” Because of the constant arrival of relatives, the townspeople, with hospitality, filled vessels with food and delicacies for them. The Pāṇḍavas, observing a vow of silence, received these alms, while their mother, anxious for their well-being, grieved when they were gone too long. With eyes full of tears, she sat on the ground, her heart heavy. But the brothers, after begging at the homes of Brahmins, always thought of their mother and hastened back, compelled by reverence for her, to report what they had obtained, day and night. All the food collected as alms was given to their mother, who divided it so that each could eat their share. The five brothers, along with Kuntī, ate half of the alms-food, while mighty Bhīma consumed the other half. Yet he who once ate wholesome food now grew emaciated and pale, unsatisfied by the meager fare. Just as a drop of clarified butter vanishes in a blazing fire, so did Bhīma’s share of the food disappear, leaving him hungry. Thus, the great souls dwelled there for a long time. Bhīma, after playing among the Brahmins and their children, befriended a potter and obtained a very large vessel from him. The potter, amazed at Bhīma’s strength, laughed as he gave the huge vessel to him. Bhīma, performing wondrous feats, carried great loads of clay, pleasing the potter with hundreds of thousands of clay loads. He continually made clay vessels and went about for alms; when his brothers saw what he brought back, they laughed and rejoiced. They gathered and served various foods, both for eating and enjoyment, and after eating thus each day, Bhīma would say to his mother in private, “I have never before tasted such excellent food.” Then, on one occasion, the foremost among men went out to beg as usual, while Bhīmasena remained behind together with Pṛthā, his mother.