like unto the crashing of thunder, the lions that
were slumbering in the caves, uttered mighty howls.
And being terrified by the yelling of the lions, the
elephants, O Bharata, sent forth tremendous roars,
which filled the mountain. And hearing those
sounds emitted, and knowing also Bhimasena to be his
brother, the ape Hanuman, the chief of monkeys, with
the view of doing good to Bhima, obstructed the path
leading to heaven. And thinking that he (Bhima)
should not pass that way, (Hanuman) lay across the
narrow path, beautified by plantain trees, obstructing
it for the sake of the safety of Bhima. With
the object that Bhima might not come by curse or defeat,
by entering into the plantain wood, the ape Hanuman
of huge body lay down amidst the plantain trees, being
overcome with drowsiness. And he began to yawn,
lashing his long tail, raised like unto the pole consecrated
to Indra, and sounding like thunder. And on all
sides round, the mountains by the mouths of caves emitted
those sounds in echo, like a cow lowing. And
as it was being shaken by the reports produced by
the lashing of the tail, the mountain with its summits
tottering, began to crumble all around. And overcoming
that roaring of mad elephants, the sounds of his tail
spread over the varied slopes of the mountain.
“On those sounds being heard the down of Bhima’s
body stood on end; and he began to range that plantain
wood, in search of those sounds. And that one
of mighty arms saw the monkey-chief in the plantain
wood, on an elevated rocky base. And he was hard
to be looked at even as the lightning-flash; and of
coppery hue like that of the lightning-flash:
and endued with the voice of the lightning-flash; and
quick moving as the lightning-flash; and having his
short flesh neck supported on his shoulders; and with
his waist slender in consequence of the fullness of
his shoulders. And his tail covered with long
hair, and a little bent at the end, was raised like
unto a banner. And (Bhima) saw Hanuman’s
head furnished with small lips, and coppery face and
tongue, and red ears, and brisk eyes, and bare white
incisors sharpened at the edge. And his head
was like unto the shining moon; adorned with white
teeth within the mouth; and with mane scattered over,
resembling a heap of asoka flowers. And
amidst the golden plantain trees, that one of exceeding
effulgence was lying like unto a blazing fire, with
his radiant body. And that slayer of foes was
casting glances with his eyes reddened with intoxication.
And the intelligent Bhima saw that mighty chief of
monkeys, of huge body, lying like unto the Himalaya,
obstructing the path of heaven. And seeing him
alone in that mighty forest, the undaunted athletic
Bhima, of long arms, approached him with rapid strides,
and uttered a loud shout like unto the thunder.
And at that shout of Bhima, beasts and birds became
all alarmed. The powerful Hanuman, however, opening
his eyes partially looked at him (Bhima) with disregard,
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