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Mahābhārata The History of the Great India
<< 54 Yudhisthira Protests >>
 |  | O Bharata, after Bhima had given his word, saying, "I shall do it!" the other Pandavas returned home, bringing the alms they had gathered.
| | | Yudhisthira, son of Pandu, knew his brother well and could see from Bhima's appearance that something was happening. Sitting down with his mother in private, Yudhisthira asked her, "What is Bhima about to do, with all his awesome prowess? Has he received permission for something he desires to do here?"
| | | Kunti Devi said, "Yes. Bhima, burner of the foe, will on my order perform a great task to help the brahmana and set the city free."
| | | Yudhisthira Maharaja [understanding the task] said, "What is this rash enthusiasm that has led you to such a thoughtless act? The saintly do not recommend that a mother sacrifice her own son. Why do you want to give up your own son for the sake of someone else's son? By sacrificing your son, you have violated the moral codes of this world. By depending on his two arms, we all sleep peacefully at night and shall take back our kingdom, stolen from us by wicked cousins. Such is Bhima's immeasurable strength and courage that just by thinking about him, Duryodhana and Sakuni cannot lie down peacefully in their many mansions. By the strength of that mighty hero, we were saved from the house of lac and from other wicked men. He is the one who slew Purocana. Because we depend upon his strength, we are confident we shall cut down the sons of Dhrtarastra and regain our rightful rule over this most abundant earth. What were you thinking of that convinced you to abandon him? Could it not be that your intelligence was overcome by your many troubles and you lost your discrimination?"
| | | Kunti Devi said, "Yudhisthira, you need not lament for Bhima. Nor did I reach my decision because of weak intelligence. Here in this brahmana's house we have been living very happily, my son, and I have correctly concluded that we must do something for him in return. After all, a man is measured by his gratitude; a great man remembers what another has done for him.
| | | "Having seen Bhima's great prowess in the house of lac and the killing of Hidimba, I now have full confidence in him. The great power in Bhima's arms is equal to the strength of thousands of elephants, and by that strength all of you, who are yourselves like elephants, were carried out of Varanavata. There is no one with the strength of Bhima, nor will there be. Why, he could stand up in battle to thunder-wielding Indra, the best of the gods. Long ago, just a few days after his birth, he fell from my lap onto the hillside. So strong was his body that his limbs pulverized the mountain stone.
| | | "With proper intelligence, I recalled the actual strength of Bhima, and I made up my mind, Pandava, to repay our debt to the learned brahmana. This decision is not a result of greed or ignorance, nor does it proceed from delusion. With careful thought I have determined our duty. Two purposes will be accomplished: we shall repay our stay in this house, and we shall perform an act of great piety. I have heard from authorities that a warrior who helps a brahmana in his hour of need attains to the planets where the pious dwell. A warrior who saves another warrior from death achieves widespread glory in this world and in the next. A warrior who helps a merchant in battle will certainly gain popularity among the citizens of every country. And a king who saves a laborer who has come to him begging for shelter will take birth in a wealthy family honored by the government.
| | | "Vyasadeva, the incarnation of Godhead, has already declared these instructions, O Kaurava son, and he is extremely wise. Therefore, this is the desirable course of action."
| | | Yudhisthira Maharaja said, "You acted, Mother, out of compassion for a suffering brahmana, and I see now that your plan is proper and well-conceived. Bhima will surely slay that man-eater and return to us. But we must seriously advise and restrain the brahmana so that the residents of the city do not discover us."
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