Critical Edition
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच किर्मीरस्य वधं क्षत्तः श्रोतुमिच्छामि कथ्यताम् रक्षसा भीमसेनस्य कथमासीत्समागमः
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said: O Khattva, I desire to hear (the account) of the destruction of Kirmira. Tell me how the encounter between Bhimasena and the Rakshasa (Kirmira) took place.
विदुर उवाच शृणु भीमस्य कर्मेदमतिमानुषकर्मणः श्रुतपूर्वं मया तेषां कथान्तेषु पुनः पुनः
M. N. Dutt: Vidura said: Hear that feat of Bhimasena of superhuman deeds. I have heard of it in my conversation with them.
Supplementary Passages:
3.12.2 After 2, D2 ins.: *39 यं जघानैकचक्रायां भीमो भीमपराक्रमः राक्षसं क्रोधताम्राक्षं दर्पोत्सिक्तं बलाधिकम् तस्य भ्राता महावीर्यः कनीयानुरुविक्रमः भ्रातृनाशसमुत्थेन छन्नो व्यसनभस्मना भीमसेनान्तरप्रेप्सुश्चचार पृथिवीमिमाम् स निर्जितानुपाश्रौषीत्पाण्डवाननुलक्षये
इतः प्रयाता राजेन्द्र पाण्डवा द्यूतनिर्जिताः जग्मुस्त्रिभिरहोरात्रैः काम्यकं नाम तद्वनम्
M. N. Dutt: O king of kings, having been defeated at dice, the Pandavas departed from this place. Travelling for three days and three nights, they arrived at a forest, called Kamyaka.
रात्रौ निशीथे स्वाभीले गतेऽर्धसमये नृप प्रचारे पुरुषादानां रक्षसां भीमकर्मणाम्
AI Translation: At midnight, when the night was half over, O king, when the demons, the man-eaters, were roaming about, performing their terrible deeds,
तद्वनं तापसा नित्यं शेषाश्च वनचारिणः दूरात्परिहरन्ति स्म पुरुषादभयात्किल
AI Translation: The ascetics and other forest-dwellers always avoided that forest, because of the fear of the man-eater.
तेषां प्रविशतां तत्र मार्गमावृत्य भारत दीप्ताक्षं भीषणं रक्षः सोल्मुकं प्रत्यदृश्यत
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, as they (the Pandavas) were entering that forest, a fearful Rakshasas with flaming eyes stood before them with a lighted brand and obstructed their path.
बाहू महान्तौ कृत्वा तु तथास्यं च भयानकम् स्थितमावृत्य पन्थानं येन यान्ति कुरूद्वहाः
M. N. Dutt: With out-stretched arms and terrible face he stood obstructing the way on which those perpetuators of the Kuru race (the Pandavas) were proceeding.
दष्टोष्ठदंष्ट्रं ताम्राक्षं प्रदीप्तोर्ध्वशिरोरुहम् सार्करश्मितडिच्चक्रं सबलाकमिवाम्बुदम्
M. N. Dutt: With his eight teeth stretching out, with his copper-coloured eyes, with the hair of his head blazing and standing erect, he looked like a mass of clouds, mingled with the rays of the sun, charged with lightning and adorned with a flock of cranes (flying underneath those clouds).
सृजन्तं राक्षसीं मायां महारावविराविणम् मुञ्चन्तं विपुलं नादं सतोयमिव तोयदम्
M. N. Dutt: Uttering fearful yells and roaring like clouds charged with rain, he spread the Rakshasas illusion.
तस्य नादेन संत्रस्ताः पक्षिणः सर्वतोदिशम् विमुक्तनादाः संपेतुः स्थलजा जलजैः सह
M. N. Dutt: Being terrified by his yells, birds along with other creatures that live on land or in water utterring cries of fear dropped down in all directions.
संप्रद्रुतमृगद्वीपिमहिषर्क्षसमाकुलम् तद्वनं तस्य नादेन संप्रस्थितमिवाभवत्
M. N. Dutt: In consequence of the deers, the leopards and the buffaloes and the bears flying in all directions, it appeared as if the forest itself was in motion.
तस्योरुवाताभिहता ताम्रपल्लवबाहवः विदूरजाताश्च लताः समाश्लिष्यन्त पादपान्
M. N. Dutt: Blown by the wind raised by his thighs, creepers growing at a great distance from that place seemed to embrace in alarm the tree of coppery leaves.
तस्मिन्क्षणेऽथ प्रववौ मारुतो भृशदारुणः रजसा संवृतं तेन नष्टर्क्षमभवन्नभः
M. N. Dutt: At that time a violent wind began to blow and the sky became darkened with the dust that covered it.
पञ्चानां पाण्डुपुत्राणामविज्ञातो महारिपुः पञ्चानामिन्द्रियाणां तु शोकवेग इवातुलः
M. N. Dutt: As grief is the greatest enemy of the objects of the five senses, so that unknown foe appeared to the five Pandavas.
स दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवान्दूरात्कृष्णाजिनसमावृतान् आवृणोत्तद्वनद्वारं मैनाक इव पर्वतः
M. N. Dutt: Seeing from a distance the Pandavas clad in black deer skin, he obstructed their path through the forest like the Mainaka mountain.
तं समासाद्य वित्रस्ता कृष्णा कमललोचना अदृष्टपूर्वं संत्रासान्न्यमीलयत लोचने
M. N. Dutt: At the sight of that fearful creature rever seen by her before, the lotus-eyed Krishna (Draupadi), being much terrified, closed her eyes.
दुःशासनकरोत्सृष्टविप्रकीर्णशिरोरुहा पञ्चपर्वतमध्यस्था नदीवाकुलतां गता
M. N. Dutt: She whose hair was dishevelled by the hand of Dushashana stood in the midst of the Pandavas like an agitated river amid five hills.
मोमुह्यमानां तां तत्र जगृहुः पञ्च पाण्डवाः इन्द्रियाणि प्रसक्तानि विषयेषु यथा रतिम्
M. N. Dutt: Seeing her overwhelmed with fear, the five Pandavas supported her, as the (five) senses influenced by desire are supported by the worldly objects.
अथ तां राक्षसीं मायामुत्थितां घोरदर्शनाम् रक्षोघ्नैर्विविधैर्मन्त्रैर्धौम्यः सम्यक्प्रयोजितैः पश्यतां पाण्डुपुत्राणां नाशयामास वीर्यवान्
AI Translation: Then, the terrible-looking demoness Maya, who had arisen, was destroyed by Dhoumya with various Rakshas-destroying mantras, properly applied, while the sons of Pandu were watching, by the valiant one.
स नष्टमायोऽतिबलः क्रोधविस्फारितेक्षणः काममूर्तिधरः क्षुद्रः कालकल्पो व्यदृश्यत
AI Translation: He, who had lost his magic power, who was extremely powerful, whose eyes were dilated with anger, who had the form of desire, who was small, who was like the god of death, appeared.
तमुवाच ततो राजा दीर्घप्रज्ञो युधिष्ठिरः को भवान्कस्य वा किं ते क्रियतां कार्यमुच्यताम्
AI Translation: Then the king, the wise Yudhishthira, said to him: "Who are you? Whose are you? What is your business? Tell me what is to be done."
प्रत्युवाचाथ तद्रक्षो धर्मराजं युधिष्ठिरम् अहं बकस्य वै भ्राता किर्मीर इति विश्रुतः
AI Translation: Then the demon replied to Dharmaraja Yudhishthira: "I am the brother of Baka, known as Kirmira."
Supplementary Passages:
3.12.22 After 22, D1 ins.: *40 पैठीनगोत्रे उत्पन्नो नास्तिको वेदनिन्दकः
वनेऽस्मिन्काम्यके शून्ये निवसामि गतज्वरः युधि निर्जित्य पुरुषानाहारं नित्यमाचरन्
AI Translation: In this forest of Kāmyaka, which is empty, I live, free from fever, having defeated men in battle, always practicing fasting.
के यूयमिह संप्राप्ता भक्ष्यभूता ममान्तिकम् युधि निर्जित्य वः सर्वान्भक्षयिष्ये गतज्वरः
M. N. Dutt: Defeating men in battle I always eat them. Who are you that have come before me as my food? Defeating you all in battle, I shall eat you in comfort.
युधिष्ठिरस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य दुरात्मनः आचचक्षे ततः सर्वं गोत्रनामादि भारत
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : O descendant of Bharata, having heard the words of that wretch, Yudhishthira told him his name and lineage.
पाण्डवो धर्मराजोऽहं यदि ते श्रोत्रमागतः सहितो भ्रातृभिः सर्वैर्भीमसेनार्जुनादिभिः
AI Translation: If I, the Pandava Dharmaraja, have come to your ears, Together with all my brothers, Bhimasena, Arjuna, and others,
हृतराज्यो वने वासं वस्तुं कृतमतिस्ततः वनमभ्यागतो घोरमिदं तव परिग्रहम्
AI Translation: Having lost his kingdom, he was determined to live in the forest. Having come to this terrible forest, it is now under your control.
किर्मीरस्त्वब्रवीदेनं दिष्ट्या देवैरिदं मम उपपादितमद्येह चिरकालान्मनोगतम्
AI Translation: Kirmira said to him, “By good fortune, this has been accomplished for me by the gods. Today, after a long time, what was in my mind has been accomplished.
Supplementary Passages:
3.12.28 K2 D2 cont.: *41 विस्मयं परमं गत्वा राक्षसो घोरदर्शनः
भीमसेनवधार्थं हि नित्यमभ्युद्यतायुधः चरामि पृथिवीं कृत्स्नां नैनमासादयाम्यहम्
AI Translation: For the sake of killing Bhimasena, I am always ready with my weapon. I roam the entire earth, but I do not find him.
सोऽयमासादितो दिष्ट्या भ्रातृहा काङ्क्षितश्चिरम् अनेन हि मम भ्राता बको विनिहतः प्रियः
AI Translation: This is the one who has been sought for a long time, the brother-slayer. For it was by this one that my beloved brother Baka was killed.
वेत्रकीयगृहे राजन्ब्राह्मणच्छद्मरूपिणा विद्याबलमुपाश्रित्य न ह्यस्त्यस्यौरसं बलम्
AI Translation: In the house of Vetrakīya, O king, assuming the form of a Brahmin, Relying on the power of knowledge, he has no physical strength.
हिडिम्बश्च सखा मह्यं दयितो वनगोचरः हतो दुरात्मनानेन स्वसा चास्य हृता पुरा
M. N. Dutt: My friend Hidimba, who lived in the forest. Was forinerly killed by this wretch; and he then took possession of his sister.
सोऽयमभ्यागतो मूढो ममेदं गहनं वनम् प्रचारसमयेऽस्माकमर्धरात्रे समास्थिते
M. N. Dutt: That fool has now come to my this deep forest. At a time when the night is half-spent and when we wander about.
अद्यास्य यातयिष्यामि तद्वैरं चिरसंभृतम् तर्पयिष्यामि च बकं रुधिरेणास्य भूरिणा
M. N. Dutt: I shall today kill him; and (I shall now) wreak my vengeance on my old enemy. I shall gratify (the manes) of Baka with plentiful blood of his (body).
अद्याहमनृणो भूत्वा भ्रातुः सख्युस्तथैव च शान्तिं लब्धास्मि परमां हत्व राक्षसकण्टकम्
M. N. Dutt: I shall today be freed from my debts which I owe to my friend and brother. I shall obtain great peace by killing today this enemy of the Rakshasas.
यदि तेन पुरा मुक्तो भीमसेनो बकेन वै अद्यैनं भक्षयिष्यामि पश्यतस्ते युधिष्ठिर
M. N. Dutt: If Bhima was formerly allowed to escape from the hands of Baka. O Yudhishthira, I shall today devour him in your presence.
एनं हि विपुलप्राणमद्य हत्वा वृकोदरम् संभक्ष्य जरयिष्यामि यथागस्त्यो महासुरम्
M. N. Dutt: Killing this huge bodied Vrikodara (Bhima) today. I shall eat him up and digest him as Agasta did the great Asura (Vatapi).
एवमुक्तस्तु धर्मात्मा सत्यसंधो युधिष्ठिरः नैतदस्तीति सक्रोधो भर्त्सयामास राक्षसम्
M. N. Dutt: Having been thus addressed, the virtuousminded and stead-fast in his pledges, Yudhishthira, saying “It cannot be," rebuked the Rakshasas in anger.
ततो भीमो महाबाहुरारुज्य तरसा द्रुम दशव्याममिवोद्विद्धं निष्पत्रमकरोत्तदा
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the mighty armed Bhima soon tore up a tree. Of the length of ten Vyamas and stripped it of its leaves.
चकार सज्यं गाण्डीवं वज्रनिष्पेषगौरवम् निमेषान्तरमात्रेण तथैव विजयोऽर्जुनः
M. N. Dutt: Within a twinkle of an eye the ever victorious Arjuna stringed the Gandiva (bow) of the force of the thunder.
निवार्य भीमो जिष्णुं तु तद्रक्षो घोरदर्शनम् अभिद्रुत्याब्रवीद्वाक्यं तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति भारत
M. N. Dutt: Making Vishnu (Arjuna) desist, Bhima said to that Rakshasas in a voice as that of the roaring louds “Stay, Stay."
इत्युक्त्वैनमभिक्रुद्धः कक्ष्यामुत्पीड्य पाण्डवः निष्पिष्य पाणिना पाणिं संदष्टोष्ठपुटो बली तमभ्यधावद्वेगेन भीमो वृक्षायुधस्तदा
AI Translation: Having said this, the angry Pandava pressed his chest and squeezed his hand with his hand, with his lips clenched, the strong one then rushed at him with force, Bhimasena with a tree as his weapon.
यमदण्डप्रतीकाशं ततस्तं तस्य मूर्धनि पातयामास वेगेन कुलिशं मघवानिव
AI Translation: Then he hurled at his head the thunderbolt, which resembled Yama's staff, with force, like Maghavan.
असंभ्रान्तं तु तद्रक्षः समरे प्रत्यदृश्यत चिक्षेप चोल्मुकं दीप्तमशनिं ज्वलितामिव
AI Translation: But the demon was not frightened, and was seen in the battle. And he threw a flaming torch, like a blazing thunderbolt.
तदुदस्तमलातं तु भीमः प्रहरतां वरः पदा सव्येन चिक्षेप तद्रक्षः पुनराव्रजत्
AI Translation: The demon, struck by the foot of the best of strikers, Bhimasena, fell down. Then, with his left foot, Bhimasena kicked the demon, who again fled.
किर्मीरश्चापि सहसा वृक्षमुत्पाट्य पाण्डवम् दण्डपाणिरिव क्रुद्धः समरे प्रत्ययुध्यत
AI Translation: Kirmira also suddenly uprooted a tree and attacked the Pandava in battle, like a wrathful Dandapani.
तद्वृक्षयुद्धमभवन्महीरुहविनाशनम् वालिसुग्रीवयोर्भ्रात्रोर्यथा श्रीकाङ्क्षिणोः पुरा
AI Translation: There was a battle between the trees, destroying the trees, like that of the brothers Vali and Sugriva in the past, who desired glory.
शीर्षयोः पतिता वृक्षा बिभिदुर्नैकधा तयोः यथैवोत्पलपद्मानि मत्तयोर्द्विपयोस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: The trees, struck at the heads (of the two combatants), were broken into minute pieces, like lotus-stalks thrown on the temples of mad elephants.
मुञ्जवज्जर्जरीभूता बहवस्तत्र पादपाः चीराणीव व्युदस्तानि रेजुस्तत्र महावने
AI Translation: Many trees there were, withered like muñja grass, And in that great forest, the leaves were scattered like rags.
तद्वृक्षयुद्धमभवत्सुमुहूर्तं विशां पते राक्षसानां च मुख्यस्य नराणामुत्तमस्य च
AI Translation: O lord of the earth, that battle between the tree and the two, the foremost of the demons and the foremost of men, lasted for a long time.
ततः शिलां समुत्क्षिप्य भीमस्य युधि तिष्ठतः प्राहिणोद्राक्षसः क्रुद्धो भीमसेनश्चचाल ह
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the angry Rakshasas hurled a stone at Bhima standing in the fight, but Bhima did not waver.
तं शिलाताडनजडं पर्यधावत्स राक्षसः बाहुविक्षिप्तकिरणः स्वर्भानुरिव भास्करम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon as Rahu goes to devour the sun, shadowing his rays with out-stretched arms, so did the Rakshasas rush upon Bhima who had remained firm under the blow that was inflicted by the (Rakshasass) with the stone.
तावन्योन्यं समाश्लिष्य प्रकर्षन्तौ परस्परम् उभावपि चकाशेते प्रयुद्धौ वृषभाविव
M. N. Dutt: Grappling and dragging each other in various ways, they appeared like two infuriated bulls struggling with each other.
तयोरासीत्सुतुमुलः संप्रहारः सुदारुणः नखदंष्ट्रायुधवतोर्व्याघ्रयोरिव दृप्तयोः
M. N. Dutt: Or like two mighty tigers armed with teeth and claws. The fight between them was fierce and hard.
दुर्योधननिकाराच्च बाहुवीर्याच्च दर्पितः कृष्णानयनदृष्टश्च व्यवर्धत वृकोदरः
M. N. Dutt: Vrikodara (Bhima), being proud of his strength of arms and conscious of Krishna's (Draupadi's) looking at him and remembering their disgrace at the hand of Duryodhana, began to swell in vigour.
अभिपत्याथ बाहुभ्यां प्रत्यगृह्णादमर्षितः मातङ्ग इव मातङ्गं प्रभिन्नकरटामुखः
AI Translation: Then, with his arms, he angrily seized him, like an elephant seizing another elephant with his broken tusk.
तं चाप्याथ ततो रक्षः प्रतिजग्राह वीर्यवान् तमाक्षिपद्भीमसेनो बलेन बलिनां वरः
AI Translation: And then the powerful Rākṣasa seized him. And Bhimasena, the best of the strong, threw him with force.
तयोर्भुजविनिष्पेषादुभयोर्बलिनोस्तदा शब्दः समभवद्घोरो वेणुस्फोटसमो युधि
AI Translation: From the clash of their arms, both of them strong, there arose a terrible sound in the battle, like the sound of a flute.
अथैनमाक्षिप्य बलाद्गृह्य मध्ये वृकोदरः धूनयामास वेगेन वायुश्चण्ड इव द्रुमम्
AI Translation: Then, seizing him by force, Vrikódara dragged him into the middle of the battlefield, and shook him with force, like a strong wind shaking a tree.
स भीमेन परामृष्टो दुर्बलो बलिना रणे व्यस्पन्दत यथाप्राणं विचकर्ष च पाण्डवम्
M. N. Dutt: Having been thus seized by the mighty Bhima, he became weakened in the fight with that strong man. But thus being shaken he still pressed the Pandava (Bhima) with all his strength.
तत एनं परिश्रान्तमुपलभ्य वृकोदरः योक्त्रयामास बाहुभ्यां पशुं रशनया यथा
M. N. Dutt: Finding him (the Rakshasas) fatigued, Vrikodara (Bhima) twined his own arm round the body of the enemy, as one binds a beast with a cord.
विनदन्तं महानादं भिन्नभेरीसमस्वनम् भ्रामयामास सुचिरं विस्फुरन्तमचेतसम्
M. N. Dutt: The monster then roared fearfully like a trumpet out of order. But the hero (Bhima) whirled him for a long time, till he became insensible.
तं विषीदन्तमाज्ञाय राक्षसं पाण्डुनन्दनः प्रगृह्य तरसा दोर्भ्यां पशुमारममारयत्
M. N. Dutt: Finding the Rakshasas exhausted the son of Pandu, (Bhima) took him up on his arms without loss of time and he then killed him like a beast.
आक्रम्य स कटीदेशे जानुना राक्षसाधमम् अपीडयत बाहुभ्यां कण्ठं तस्य वृकोदरः
M. N. Dutt: Placing his knees on the breast of that wretch of Rakshasass and seizing his throat, Vrikodara (Bhima) began to press his neck.
अथ तं जडसर्वाङ्गं व्यावृत्तनयनोल्बणम् भूतले पातयामास वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह
M. N. Dutt: Then dragging along on the earth the bruised body of the Rakshasas whose eye-lids were about to close, Bhima spoke thus.
हिडिम्बबकयोः पाप न त्वमश्रुप्रमार्जनम् करिष्यसि गतश्चासि यमस्य सदनं प्रति
M. N. Dutt: “O sinful wretch, you will no more have to wine away the tears of Hidimba and Baka, for you too are going to the abode of Yama.”
इत्येवमुक्त्वा पुरुषप्रवीर;स्तं राक्षसं क्रोधविवृत्तनेत्रः प्रस्रस्तवस्त्राभरणं स्फुरन्त;मुद्भ्रान्तचित्तं व्यसुमुत्ससर्ज
AI Translation: Having thus spoken, the foremost of men, with eyes dilated with anger, dismissed the demon, whose garments and ornaments were dishevelled, trembling, with a distracted mind, and lifeless
तस्मिन्हते तोयदतुल्यरूपे; कृष्णां पुरस्कृत्य नरेन्द्रपुत्राः भीमं प्रशस्याथ गुणैरनेकै;र्हृष्टास्ततो द्वैतवनाय जग्मुः
M. N. Dutt: When that cloud-coloured Rakshasas was killed, the son of the great king (Pandu i.e. Yudhishthira) praised Bhima for his many qualities. And then placing Krishna (Draupadi) in their front, they set out for the forest of Daitya.
एवं विनिहतः संख्ये किर्मीरो मनुजाधिप भीमेन वचनात्तस्य धर्मराजस्य कौरव
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of men, O descendant of Kuru, it was thus that Kirmira was killed by Bhima at the command of Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira).
ततो निष्कण्टकं कृत्वा वनं तदपराजितः द्रौपद्या सह धर्मज्ञो वसतिं तामुवास ह
M. N. Dutt: Having made the forest free from its pest, the invincible and virtuous man (Yudhishthira) lived with Draupadi there in their abode.
समाश्वास्य च ते सर्वे द्रौपदीं भरतर्षभाः प्रहृष्टमनसः प्रीत्या प्रशशंसुर्वृकोदरम्
M. N. Dutt: Comforting Draupadi, those foremost of heroes of the Bharata race with glad hearts praised Vrikodara cheerfully.
भीमबाहुबलोत्पिष्टे विनष्टे राक्षसे ततः विविशुस्तद्वनं वीराः क्षेमं निहतकण्टकम्
M. N. Dutt: After the Rakshasas had been killed by the strength of arms of Bhima, the heroes. (the Pandavas) entered that peaceful forest (now) being free from its pest.
स मया गच्छता मार्गे विनिकीर्णो भयावहः वने महति दुष्टात्मा दृष्टो भीमबलाद्धतः
M. N. Dutt: Passing through that great forest, I saw the body of the wicked and fearful Rakshasas lying killed by Bhima's prowess.
तत्राश्रौषमहं चैतत्कर्म भीमस्य भारत ब्राह्मणानां कथयतां ये तत्रासन्समागताः
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, I heard there (in the forest) of this great deed of Bhima from the Brahmanas who had assembled there (round the Pandavas).
वैशंपायन उवाच एवं विनिहतं संख्ये किर्मीरं राक्षसोत्तमम् श्रुत्वा ध्यानपरो राजा निशश्वासार्तवत्तदा
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Having thus heard of the account of the destruction of that foremost of Rakshasas, Kirinira, the king (Dhritarashtra) sighed in sorrow and became absorbed in thought.