strength of ten thousand elephants, with bodies hard as the thunderbolt, holding fast by their promises, and proud of their manliness!  They have slain the enemies of the celestials—­those Rakshasas capable of assuming any form at will, such as were headed by Hidimva and Kirmira!  When those high-souled ones went from hence that Rakshasa of fierce soul obstructed their nocturnal path even like an immoveable hill.  And even as a tiger slayeth a little deer, Bhima, that foremost of all endued with strength, and ever delighted in fight, slew that monster.  Consider also, O king, how while out on his campaign of conquest, Bhima slew in battle that mighty warrior, Jarasandha, possessing the strength of ten thousand elephants.  Related to Vasudeva and having the sons of king Drupada as their brothers-in-law, who that is subject to decrepitude and death would undertake to cope with them in battle?  O bull of the Bharata race, let there be peace between thee and Pandavas!  Follow thou my counsels and surrender not thyself to anger!’

“O king, thus admonished by Maitreya, Duryodhana began to slap his thigh resembling the trunk of the elephant, and smilingly began to scratch the ground with his foot.  And the wicked wretch spake not a word, but hung down his head.  And, O monarch, beholding Duryodhana thus offer him a slight by scratching the earth silently, Maitreya became angry.  And, as if commissioned by fate, Maitreya, the best of Munis, overwhelmed by wrath, set his mind upon cursing Duryodhana!  And then, with eyes red in anger, Maitreya, touching water, cursed the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra, saying, ’Since, slighting me thou declinest to act according to my words, thou shalt speedily reap the fruit of this thy insolence!  In the great war which shall spring out of the wrongs perpetrated by thee, the mighty Bhima shall smash that thigh of thine with a stroke of his mace!’

“When the Muni had spoken so, king Dhritarashtra began to pacify the sage, in order that what he had said might not happen.  But Maitreya said, ’O king, if thy son concludeth peace with the Pandavas, this curse of mine, O child, will not take effect, otherwise it must be as I have said!’”

Vaisampayana said, “Desirous of ascertaining the might of Bhima, that foremost of kings, the father of Duryodhana, then asked Maitreya, saying, ‘How was Kirmira slain by Bhima?’

“Maitreya said, ’I shall not speak again unto thee, O king, for my words are not regarded by thy son.  After I have gone away, Vidura will relate everything unto thee!’ And saying this, Maitreya went away to the place whence he had come.  And Duryodhana also went out perturbed at the tidings of Kirmira’s death (at the hand of Bhima).”

SECTION XI

(Kirmirabadha Parva)

“Dhritarashtra said, ’O Kshatta, I am desirous to hear of the destruction of Kirmira!  Do thou tell me how the encounter took place between the Rakshasa and Bhimasena!’