Hanuman, the mighty son of the Wind, beheld Bheema Sena and spoke with grave affection, “My brother, thou journeys to the lake of a thousand-petaled lotuses; but beware, and let restraint temper thy strength. Display not rash courage, for that lake is guarded by fierce Yaksha and Rakshasa warriors. The gods themselves gather those flowers, yet they are appeased not through might but by prayer, sacrifice, and devotion. True power lies not in valor alone, but in righteous conduct and wisdom. Follow the path of dharma steadfastly, for the wise discern virtue and vice through the counsel of learned men. Every act of conduct shapes the fabric of the world; the ways of the great become the tradition of ages to come. From such tradition, dharma springs, the Vedas gain strength, sacrifices are performed, and the gods, satisfied by sacred rites, bestow their blessings.”
He continued, “When any special deed is to be done, the prudent consider place, time, and circumstance. They act with foresight, employing the fourfold strategy—conciliation, gift, division, and courage. First comes goodwill, last comes valor; for victory belongs not merely to the strong, but to the thoughtful. Seek always the wisdom of scholars and never confide great affairs to the foolish, the vein, or the miserly. The king who abides by law and compassion binds his people by love and duty. Thou, O Bheema, art born to rule with strength and mercy alike; thy words command obedience, and thy heart inspires faith. My eyes are gladdened to behold thee. Ask what boon thou desirest—I shall grant it. Were it thy wish, I could alone destroy thy foes and the blind king who shelters them, or bury Hastinapura beneath hills and forests.”
Then Bheema spoke with folded hands, “O noble son of Vayu, thy valor alone could crush our enemies. Yet by thy grace, we too shall conquer them. Who may stand against us, when thy spirit guards us?” Hanuman smiled and said, “In battle, remember me. I shall dwell upon the banner of Arjuna and witness thy courage.” Embracing his brother, he showed him the path to the lake of the Sougandhika lotuses and vanished. The divine touch of Hanuman filled Bheema with fresh vigor; his weariness was transformed into boundless energy.
Reaching the celestial garden of Kubera, he beheld the silver mountains and the soft slopes, the herds of elephants moving like dark clouds upon the horizon. The thunder of clouds mingled with the trumpet of tuskers; the flashing tusks gleamed like lightning, and the rolling vapors seemed alive. Amidst this wondrous scene, the fragrance of the golden-hued lotuses spread sweetly through the air. Then the demon guards of the lake, fierce and immense, beheld Bheema in his ascetic garb and marveled. His arms shone like polished steel, his face radiant with divine fire. They approached and said, “This is the sacred lake of Kubera, guarded by us. None may enter unbidden, for here the Lord of Wealth sports with his consorts, and gods and sages perform their rites. The waters are like nectar; the lotuses are wrought with stems of lapis and petals edged with gems. Why hast thou come to invite peril?”
Bheema replied, “I am the son of King Pandu, brother to Yudhishthira. I came to gather these flowers to please Draupadi. Whether gods or demons oppose me, I shall not turn back.” The guards pleaded, “O mighty one, thy power is not mortal. Seek the blessing of Kubera, for thou art of righteous lineage.” Bheema answered sternly, “The lake flows from the mountains; it belongs to all. A true Kshatriya asks nothing—he takes by courage and gives in charity. I need no permission.” Thus saying, he entered the lake, drank its water, and plucked the lotuses. The demons, enraged, attacked, but he struck them down with his mace till none remained. The survivors fled to Kubera, who, beholding Bheema’s purpose and devotion, smiled and withheld his wrath.
Meanwhile, strange omens filled the sky—thunder roared, the air reddened with dust, and the sun was veiled. Yudhishthira, troubled, said to Draupadi, “Where is Bheema? He loves peril too much.” Draupadi replied, “O King, I asked him only for a lotus that fell before me, and he went toward the northeast.” They set out with Ghatotkacha’s aid, and soon found Bheema amidst the slain Yakshas. Yudhishthira embraced him and said gently, “O brother, thy wisdom is greater than thine eagerness for danger. Do not again tempt fate so rashly.”
While they rested near Kubera’s garden, a demon named Jatasura, disguised as a Brahmin, came among them. He claimed knowledge of the Vedas and service under Parasurama. When Bheema went hunting, the fiend seized Yudhishthira, Draupadi, and the twins, bearing them away. Yudhishthira rebuked him, “Thou livest by men’s kindness and food, yet betrayest thy hosts! Even beasts repay their keepers—how then canst thou, taught in holy lore, act thus?” But the demon laughed, vowing to offer their blood in sacrifice to his kin.
Bheema, swift as wind, returned and saw the crime. His eyes blazed like fire. “Wretch!” he thundered, “Thou hast eaten our bread and now turnest traitor. Not even serpents strike those who feed them. Release my brothers and prepare for death!” The demon dropped his captives and rushed upon Bheema. The forest quaked beneath their battle. Trees and rocks were shattered as they clashed like Vali and Sugriva of old. At last, Bheema, summoning all his might, struck him on the neck with a blow like the fall of thunder. The demon fell like a mountain rent asunder, his vast frame crashing to the ground.
The sages Dhaumya and Romasa praised Bheema’s valor, and thus ended that mighty encounter. The sage Vaisampayana, recounting this tale to Saunaka and the seers of Naimisha forest, declared that within it shine many hidden gems of wisdom from the great ocean of the Mahabharata.
