प्रतिवाक्यं तु नेच्छामि आवयोर्वचनं कुरु
'But I do not wish to argue; do as we have said.'
शासनं ते करिष्यामि वेदशासनमित्यपि। समक्षं भ्रातृमध्ये तु तां चोवाच स राक्षसीम्
'I will obey your command, even as I would the command of the Veda;' and in the presence of his brothers, he spoke thus to the rakshasi.
शृणु राक्षसि सत्येन समयं ते वदाम्यहम्।' यावत्कालेन भवति पुत्रस्योत्पादनं शुभे
'Listen, O rakshasi, I declare to you this agreement truthfully: for as long as it takes to beget a son, O auspicious one,'
तावत्कालं चरिष्यामि त्वया सह सुमध्यमे। `विशेषतो मत्सकाशे मा प्रकाशय नीचताम्
'for that period I will remain with you, O slender-waisted one; but especially, do not reveal your lowly origin to anyone near me.'
सा तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय हिडिम्बा राक्षसी तथा
Thus promising, Hidimba the rakshasi agreed.
गताऽहनि निवेशेषु भोज्यं राजार्हमानयत्। सा कदाचिद्विहारार्थं हिडिम्बा कामरूपिणी
During the day, she would go to the settlements and bring food fit for a king; and sometimes, for pleasure, Hidimba, who could assume any form at will,
भीमसेनमुपादाय ऊर्ध्वमाचक्रमं तदा। शैलशृङ्गेषु रम्येषु देवतायतनेषु च
would take Bhimasena and ascend to delightful mountain peaks and temples of the gods.
मृगपक्षिविघृष्टेषु रमणीयेषु सर्वेषु। कृत्वा सा परमं रूपं सर्वाभरणभूषिता
In all those beautiful places, frequented by wild animals and birds, she assumed a most splendid form, adorned with every ornament.
संजल्पन्ती सुमधुरं रमयामास पाण्डवम्। तथैव वनदुर्गेषु पर्वतद्रुमसानुषु
She delighted the Pandava with sweet and charming words, just so in the wild mountain fastnesses, on the slopes of hills and among the trees.
सरस्तु रमणीयेषु पद्मोत्पलवनेषु च। नदीद्वीपप्रदेशेषु वैडूर्यसिकतेषु च
In beautiful lakes, in groves of lotuses and water-lilies, in regions of rivers and islands, and on sands shining like beryl stones,
देवारण्येषु पुण्येषु तथा पर्वतसानुषु। सुतीर्थवनतोयासु तथा गिरिनदीषु च
In sacred forests of the gods, on holy mountain slopes, at pure fords and forest streams, and in mountain rivers as well,
सागरस्य प्रदेशेषु भणिहेमयुतेषु च। गुह्यकानां निवासेषु कुलपर्वतसानुषु
On the shores of the ocean, adorned with gold and gems, in the dwellings of the hidden spirits, and on the peaks of great mountains,
सर्वर्तुफलवृक्षेषु मानसेषु वनेषु च। बिभ्रती परमं रूपं रमयामास पाण्डवम्
Among trees bearing fruit in every season, and in delightful groves, she, displaying her supreme beauty, delighted the Pandava.
यथा सुमोदते स्वर्गे सुकृत्यप्सरसा सह। सुतरां परमप्रीतस्तथा रेमे महाद्युतिः
Just as one rejoices in heaven with a virtuous apsara, so did the illustrious one enjoy, filled with the highest joy.
शुभं हि जघनं तस्याः सवर्णमणिमेखलम्। न ततर्प तदा मृद्गन्भीमसेनो मुहुर्मुहुः
Her lovely hips, adorned with a jeweled girdle of matching hue, did not ever satisfy the mighty Bhimasena, though he gazed again and again.
रमयन्ती ततो भीमं तत्रतत्र मनोजवा। सा रेमे तेन संहर्षात्तृप्यन्ती च मुहुर्मुहुः
Then, swift as the mind, she delighted Bhima again and again in those places, and she herself rejoiced with him, ever more content.
अहस्सु रमयन्ती सा निशाकालेषु पाण्डवम्। आनीय वै स्वके गेहे दर्शयामास मातरम्
By day she delighted the Pandava, and at night, bringing him to her own house, she showed him to her mother.
भ्रातृभिः सहितो नित्यं स्वपते पाण्डवस्तथा। कुन्त्याः परिचरन्ती सा तस्याः पार्श्वेवसन्निशां
Thus the Pandava always slept with his brothers, while she, serving Kunti, stayed constantly at her side, day and night.
कामांश्च मुखवासादीनानयिष्यति भोजनम्। तस्यां रात्र्यां व्यतीतायामाजगाम महाव्रतः
Bringing food and delicacies as she wished, when that night had passed, the great sage arrived.
पाराशर्यो महाप्राज्ञो दिव्यदर्शी महातपाः। तेऽभिवाद्य महात्मानं कृष्णद्वैपायनं शुभम्। तस्थुः प्राञ्जलयः सर्वे सस्नुषा चैव माधवी
Vyasa, the son of Parashara, wise, with divine sight and great austerity, was greeted by all with joined palms, including Madhavi, the daughter-in-law.
मयेदं मनसा पूर्वं विदितं भरतर्षभाः। यथा स्थितैरधर्मेण धार्तराष्ट्रौर्विवासिताः
O best of the Bharatas, I already knew in my mind how, through unrighteousness, you would be exiled by the sons of Dhritarashtra.
तद्विदित्वाऽस्मि संप्राप्तश्चिकीर्ष्वै परं हितम्। न विषादो हि वः कार्यः सर्वमेतत्सुखाय वः
Knowing this, I have come now, wishing to do you the highest good; you should not grieve, for all this will turn to your happiness.
सुहृद्वियोजनं कर्म पुराकृतमरिन्दमाः। तस्य सिद्धिरियं प्राप्ता मा शोचत परन्तपाः
O subduers of foes, separation from friends was an act done in the past; its fulfillment has now come—do not sorrow, O scorcher of enemies.
समाप्ते दुष्कृते चैव यूयं ते वै न संशयः। स्वराष्ट्रे विहरिष्यन्तो भविष्यथ सबान्धवाः
When this misfortune is over, you will, without doubt, dwell in your own kingdom again, enjoying life with your kin.
दीनतो बालतश्चैव स्नेहं कुर्वन्ति बान्धवाः। तस्मादभ्यधिकः स्नेहो युष्मासु मम संप्रति
Relatives show affection especially to those who are distressed or young; therefore, my affection for you is now even greater.
स्नेहपूर्वं चिकीर्षामि हितं यत्तन्निबोधत। वसतेह प्रतिच्छन्ना ममागमनकाङ्क्षिणः
With affection I wish to do what is good for you; listen to what I say: remain here in hiding, awaiting my return.
एतद्वै शालिहोत्रस्य तपसा निर्मितं सरः। रमणीयमिदं तोयं क्षुत्पिपासाश्रमापहम्
This lake was created by the austerity of Shalihotra; this delightful water removes the suffering of hunger and thirst.
कार्यार्थिनस्तु षण्मासान्विहरध्वं यथासुखम्
Those who seek to accomplish their purpose, remain here for six months as you please.
एवं स तान्समाश्वास्य व्यासः पार्थानरिन्दमान्। स्नेहाच्च संपरिष्वज्य कुन्तीमाश्वासयत्प्रभुः
Thus Vyasa, the lord, comforted those best of the Bharatas, and out of affection, embraced Kunti and consoled her.
स्नुषे मा रोद मा रोदेत्येवं व्यासोऽब्रवीद्वचः। जीवपुत्रे सुतस्तेऽयं धर्मनित्यो युधिष्ठिरः
Vyasa spoke these words: 'Daughter-in-law, do not weep, do not lament; your son Yudhishthira, steadfast in righteousness, lives.'