THE GOLDEN LOTUS

At Visalathe land of the Rakshasas, Panchali saw theSaugandhika lotus, which, was carried by the wind.Bhima went to gather the flower which was wanted by Panchali.

The Pandavas along with the brahmins who took on a pilgrimage reached Mount Gandhamadana where they experienced heavy rain followed by a hail storm. Suddenly the mountain streams overflowed, huge trees were uprooted with their creepers and darkness enveloped the whole atmosphere. The Pandavas were divided into three groups, Dhaumya, Dharmaja and Sahadeva clustered together at one place, Bhima and Draupadi at another place and Romasa, Nakula and other Brahmins at third place. After the hurricane the whole party came together but Draupadi swooned. She was made to lie down on deer skin and Bhima was fanning with a plantain leaf while the twins where nursing her feet. Dharmaputra could not control himself and said with tears in his eyes, "The king of Panchala hoped that his daughter, born of sacred sacrificial fire and bred in the royal palace, would lead a happy life of luxury and comfort after her marriage with the Pandava heroes. But I feel I am the sole reason for all her miseries."

Yudhisthira was consoled by Dhaumya and other Brahmins and Draupadi regained her consciousness. Dharmaputra said to Bhima, "Panchali obviously cannot walk any further; what shall we do?" Immediately Bhima invoked his rakshasa son by Hidimbhi, Ghatotkacha and he manifested himself on the spot. Bhima said to his son, " My dear boy, your mother Draupadi, is not in a position to walk; you have to carry her on your shoulder." He replied, "I will carry you all including Dhaumya and my followers will carry the Brahmins." Romasa said that he would come walking in space propelled by the power of yoga. The party reached Badri and pitched their tents there. They bathed in the Ganges and Mount Mainaka, Mount Hiranya and lake Bindhu and stayed at Badri for six days. On one occasion, when Draupadi and Bhima were taking a stroll, a golden lotus with a thousand petals fell at their feet blown over by a pleasant breeze sublimating the senses with its sweet smell. Draupadi said to Bhima, "Although I have heard about this flower Saugandhika, this is the first time for me to see it. I am attracted by this lovely lotus. Let us grow this golden lotus in our garden. Please get some flowers for me. Meanwhile I will show this to Dharmaputra."


Bhima armed with his bow and arrows started to fetch the flowers to please his beloved Draupadi in the direction from which the fragrance emanated, unmindful of the hazards of his mission. On his way he sported wild beasts, he lifted some of them bodily and throwing them against some others to the delight of the celestial ladies who thronged to see the mighty mortal from the slopes of the mountain recesses. He perceived the fluttering flight of water fowls which were disturbed at his terrific lion roar. He could detect a lake nearby surrounded by plantain plantations. He bathed in the lake and continued his march. On his way Bhima found an old monkey lying sleepily unmindful of his approach obstructing the passage in lazy defiance. He wanted to frighten the animal out of his way with his thunderous roar. But the monkey simply raised its drowsy eyelids and said to Bhima, "Why do you disturb an old animal like me quite unnecessarily. You are expected to show compassion and not cruelty towards animals as a rational man belonging to the higher species of creation. Anyway mortals cannot go beyond this limit with impunity. If you persist in your adventure you can jump over me."

Bhimasena was amused at the advice tendered by the monkey and replied, "I am not afraid of crossing this limit. I can easily leap over this mountain like the great Hanuman who crossed the ocean of a hundred yojanas in length in one leap. I am the son of the god of wind, you the younger brother of Hanuman. As you belong to the same species, I have a sentimental objection to jump over you." The monkey replied, "I am glad to know that you are the mighty son of the mighty god of wind and thank you for the consideration shown to me. My age is against me and I cannot move; please lift my tail aside and make way for yourself. Be as gentle as you are strong. How sweet is strength combined with compassion!"

Bhima tried to lift the tail with his left hand and failed. He used his right hand and tried to lift it with all his might, but failed miserably. In spite of using his immense strength the tail could not be moved even an inch. Bhima tried again sweating profusely till he was completely exhausted as he was not a man to accept defeat easily. Eventually Bhima realized that the animal confronting him was not an ordinary ape. He said to the monkey, "Who are you? Are you a god or a Gandharva or my elder brother Hanuman who came to test me? I crave your indulgence; please forgive me and speak out. I am a strong man and I know how to respect a stronger one." The monkey replied, "My dear brother, I am Hanuman. I wanted to see you and I have utilized this opportunity. I know your strength and bravery and I am very much impressed with your sweet sentiments towards me. This is the land of Yakshas and it is dangerous to go further. The lake where the golden lotuses grow is there nearby."

Bhima was overwhelmed with joy and bowed to the feet of Hanuman who embraced him and blessed him with victory. Hanuman said, "In any endeavour, be it war or peace, inspiration rather than perspiration is the main ingredient of success. I will be present on the flag of Arjuna’s chariot. I wish you success." Bhima took leave of Hanuman and went to collect the Lotuses. The lake was heavily guarded by the Yakshas, who said to Bhima, "The Lord of this lake is Kubera and if you want some lotuses better you request him." Bhima replied, "This lake is a gift of geography and Kubera has no rule over it."

A fierce fight ensued and Bhima killed many yakshas including their commander and collected the lotuses. Meanwhile Dharmaputra and the party came to the place in search of Bhima who presented the flowers to Draupadi. On the eighth day of their stay, Dhaumya called Dharmaja and pointing his finger to the north said, "That is Mount Meru around which the sun, the moon and the stars circle. The paramount trio of the universe, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara live there surrounded by celestial beings. They stayed there for over a month awaiting the return of Arjuna from the land of the gods. One day, the chariot of Indra driven by Matali appeared on the horizon and descended on Mount Malyavanta and Arjuna emerged from the chariot like the rising sun out of the eastern horizon. He bowed to Dhaumya, Romasa, Dharmaja, and Bhima and embraced the twins who bowed to him and enquired about the welfare of Draupadi who was extremely happy at his home coming and they were exchanging their experiences.