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364 Then Yudhishthira beholding Bhima in rage, said, -'O Bhima, o tiger among men, however enraged, do not slay a woman! O Pandava, the observance of virtue is a higher duty than the protection of life. Hidimva, who had come with the object of slaying us, thou hast already slain. This woman is the sister of that Rakshasa, what can she do to us even if she were angry?

Vaisampayana continued, "Then Hidimva reverentially saluting Kunti and her son Yudhishthira also, said, with joined palins,-'0 reverend lady, thou knowest the pangs that women are made to feel at the hands of the deity of love I Blessed dame, these pangs, of which Bhimasena hath been the cause, are torturing me! I had hitherto borne these insufferable pangs, wainting for the time (when thy son could assuage them). That time is now come, when I expected I would be made happy! Casting off my friends and relations and the usage of my race, I have, O blessed lady, chosen this son of thine, this tiger among men, as my husband! I tell thee truly, O illustrious lady, that if I am cast off by that bero or by thee either, I will no longer bear this life of mine! Therefore, O thou of the fairest complexion, it behoveth thee to show me mercy, thinking me either as very silly or thy obedient slave! O illustrious dame, unite me with this thy son my husband ! Endued as he is with the form of a celestial, let me go taking him with me, wherever I like. Trust me, o blessed lady. I will again bring him back unto you all! When you think of me I will come to you immediately and convey you withersoever ye may command! I will rescue you from all dangers and carry you across inaccessible and uneven regions! I will carry you on my back whenever ye desire to proceed with swiftuess. 0. be graceful unto me and make Bhima accept me! It bath been said that in a season of distress one should protect his life by any means. He that seeketh to discharge that duty should not scruple about the means. He, that in a season of distress keepeth his virtue, is the foremost of virtuous men. Indeed, disstress is the greatest danger to virtue and virtuous men. It is virtue that protectetb life: therefore is virtue called the giver of life. Hence the means by which virtue or the observance of a duty is secured can never be censurable,

"Hearing these words of Hidiniva, Yudhishthira said, 'It is even so, O Hidimva as thou sayest. There is no doubt of it. But thou of slender waist, tb u must act even as thou hast said I Bhima will, after he hath washed himself and said his prayers and performed the usual propitiatory rites, pay bis attentions to thee till the sun sets. Sport thou with him as thou likest during the day, O thou that art endued with the speed of the mind! But thou must bring back Bhimasena hither every day at nightful!'