वृकोदरेण सदृशो बलेनान्यो न विद्यते। यो व्यतीयाद्युधि श्रेष्ठमपि वज्रधरं स्वयम्
There is no one whose strength equals Vrikodara's; he could surpass even the best in battle, even the wielder of the thunderbolt himself.
जातमात्रः पुरा चैव ममाङ्कात्पतितो गिरौ। शरीरगौरवादस्य शिला गात्रैर्विचूर्णिता
When he was newly born and fell from my lap onto the mountain, the weight of his body shattered the rock with his limbs.
तदहं प्रज्ञया ज्ञात्वा बलं भीमस्य पाण्डव। प्रतिकार्ये च विप्रस्य ततः कृतवती मतिम्
Therefore, understanding Bhima's strength with discernment, O Pandava, I formed my plan for the Brahmin's sake.
नेदं लोभान्न चाज्ञानान्न च मोहाद्विनिश्चितम्। बुद्धिपूर्वं तु धर्मस्य व्यवसायः कृतो मया
This decision was not made from greed, ignorance, or delusion; rather, it was a deliberate resolve for righteousness, made with careful thought.
अर्थौ द्वावपि निष्पन्नौ युधिष्ठिर भविष्यतः। प्रतीकारश्च वासस्य धर्मश्च चरितो महान्
Both aims will be accomplished, O Yudhishthira: the response for our dwelling and the great fulfillment of righteousness.
यो ब्राह्मणस्य साहाय्यं कुर्यादर्थेषु कर्हिचित्। क्षत्रियः स शुभाँल्लोकानाप्नुयादिति मे मतिः
Whenever a Kshatriya assists a Brahmin in any matter, he attains auspicious worlds—this is my conviction.
क्षत्रियस्यैव कुर्वाणः क्षत्रियो वधमोक्षणम्। विपुलां कीर्तिमाप्नोति लोकेऽस्मिंश्च परत्र च
A kshatriya who, acting as a kshatriya, grants release or death, attains great fame in this world and the next.
वैश्यस्यार्थे च साहाय्यं कुर्वाणः क्षत्रियो भुवि। स सर्वेष्वपि लोकेषु प्रजा रञ्जयते ध्रुवम्
A kshatriya who assists a vaishya on earth surely brings joy to people in all worlds.
शूद्रं तु मोचयेद्राजा शरणार्थिनमागतम्। प्राप्नोतीह कुले जन्म सद्द्रव्ये राजपूजिते
But if a king frees a shudra who has come seeking refuge, he is born in a noble family here, possessing honored royal wealth.
एवं मां भगवान्व्यासः पुरा पौरवनन्दन। प्रोवाचासुकरप्रज्ञस्तस्मादेवं चिकीर्षितम्
Thus, O joy of the Pauravas, the venerable Vyasa, wise and difficult to comprehend, spoke to me before; therefore, this is what has been resolved.
उपपन्नमिदं मातस्त्वया यद्बुद्धिपूर्वकम्। आर्तस्य ब्राह्मणस्यैतदनुक्रोशादिदं कृतम्
Mother, what you have done with thoughtful consideration is fitting; this was done out of compassion for the distressed brahmin.
ध्रुवमेष्यति भीमोऽयं निहत्य पुरुषादकम्। सर्वथा ब्राह्मणस्यार्थे यदनुक्रोशवत्यसि
Surely Bhima will come, having slain the man-eater, since you have shown such compassion for the brahmin in every way.
यथा त्विदं न विन्देयुर्नरा नगरवासिनः। तथाऽयं ब्राह्मणो वाच्यः परिग्राह्यश्च यत्नतः
Just as the townspeople should not learn of this, so too this brahmin must be carefully spoken to and reassured.
युधिष्ठिरेण संमन्त्र्य ब्राह्मणार्थमरिन्दम। कुन्ती प्रविश्य तान्सर्वान्मन्त्रयामास भारत
Having consulted with Yudhishthira for the sake of the brahmin, Kunti entered and discussed everything with them, O Bharata.
अथ रात्र्यां व्यतीतायां भीमसेनो महाबलः। ब्राह्मणं समुपागम्य वचश्चेदमुवाच ह
Then, when night had passed, mighty Bhimasena approached the brahmin and spoke these words.
आपदस्त्वां विमोक्ष्येऽहं सपुत्रं ब्राह्मण प्रियम्। मा भैषी राक्षसात्तस्मान्मां ददातु बलिं भवान्
I will rescue you, dear brahmin, along with your sons from this danger; do not fear that rakshasa—let me be given as the offering.
इद मामशितं कर्तुं प्रयतस्व सकृद्गृहे। आथात्मानं प्रादास्यामि तस्मै घोराय रक्षसे
Strive just once to prepare food for me in your house; then I will offer myself to that terrible rakshasa.
त्वरध्वं किं विलम्बध्वे मा चिरं कुरुतानघाः। व्यवस्येयं मनः प्राणैर्युष्मान्रक्षितुमद्य वै
Hurry, why do you delay? Do not take long, O blameless ones; I have resolved today to protect you with my very life.
एवमुक्तः स भीमेन ब्राह्मणो भरतर्षभ। सुहृदां तत्समाख्याय ददावन्नं सुसंस्कृतम्
Thus addressed by Bhima, the brahmin, best of the Bharatas, informed his friends and gave well-prepared food.
पिशितोदनमाजह्रुरथास्मै पुरवासिनः। सघृतं सोपदंशं च सूपैर्नानाविधैः सह
Then the townspeople brought him rice cooked with meat, with ghee, with condiments, and with various soups.
तदाऽशित्वा भीमसेनो मांसानि विविधानि च। मोदकानि च मुख्यानि चित्रोदनचयान्बहून्
Having eaten various kinds of meat, Bhimasena then enjoyed the finest sweets and many heaps of mixed rice.
ततोऽपिबद्दधिघटान्सुबहून्द्रोणसंमितान्। तस्य भुक्तवतः पौरा यथावत्समुपार्जितान्
After that, he drank many pots of curds, each measuring a drona; the townspeople brought him what they had gathered, as was proper.
उपजह्रुर्भृतं भागं समृद्धमनसस्तदा। ततो रात्र्यां व्यतीतायां सव्यञ्जनदधिप्लुतम्
With joyful hearts, they brought him his full share; then, when night had passed, it was served with side dishes and curds.
समारुह्यान्नसंपूर्णं शकटं स वृकोदरः। प्रययौ तूर्यनिर्घोषैः पौरैश्च परिवारितः
Then Vrikodara mounted a cart filled with food and set out, accompanied by the sound of instruments and surrounded by the townspeople.
आत्मानमेषोऽन्नभूतो राक्षसाय प्रदास्यति। तरुणोऽप्रतिरूपश्च दृढ औदरिको युवा
This young man, strong and robust, with a sturdy frame, will offer himself as food to the rakshasa; he is youthful, but his appearance is not fitting.
वाग्भिरेवंप्रकाराभिः स्तूयमानो वृकोदरः। चुचोद स बलीवर्दौ युक्तौ सर्वाङ्गकालकौ
Thus praised with such words, Vrikodara urged on the two bullocks yoked to the cart, both marked for sacrifice.
वादित्राणां प्रवादेन ततस्तं पुरुषादकम्। अभ्यगच्छत्सुसंहृष्टः सर्वत्र मनुजैर्वृतः
Then, to the sound of musical instruments, he joyfully approached the man-eater, surrounded everywhere by people.
संप्राप्य स च तं देशमेकाकी समुपाययौ। पुरुषादभयाद्भीतस्तत्रैवासीज्जनव्रजः
Arriving at that place, he went forward alone; the crowd there, terrified by the man-eater, remained behind.
स गत्वा दूरमध्वानं दक्षिणामभितो दिशम्। यतोपदिष्टमुद्देशे ददर्श विपुलं द्रुमम्
Traveling a long distance southward as directed, he saw a great tree at the appointed spot.
केशमज्जास्थिमेदोभिर्बाहूरुचरणैरपि। आर्द्रैः शुष्कैश्च संकीर्णमभितोऽथ वनस्पतिम्
Around that tree were scattered hair, marrow, bones, fat, arms, legs, and feet—both fresh and dry.