19. RETURN OF BHIM

As the relationship was unveiled, the tension and enmity disappeared as if in flash. After a hearty embrace by the grand dad, Bhim was ushered into the palace. He was badly injured and exhausted. Vasuki took every care to nurse him back to health. Some of his ministers suggested that Bhim be given ‘nectar’ for drinking. It was a very generous suggestion as Nagaloka reserved this rare drink for very special purposes.  The fiercest and strongest of the Naga soldiers safeguarded this drink for ages. As the king happily agreed to the proposition, the most coveted beverage in the earth was served to his young descendant. Before the tender and caring eyes of his hosts the Pandava drank the nectar. And it was sheer magic. All his tire and fatigue vanished and what is more, he felt his whole self was inundated by endless waves of energy as if those flowed from an infinite storehouse. As he was trying to make out the reason for his sudden transformation, Vasuki affectionately said that this nectar has now invested him with the strength of a thousand of adult elephants. Even earlier Bhim had great physical strength. Now he felt he could shake the earth.

 Bhim had a pleasant stay in the Nagalok. On the eighth day, Vasuki said,

 ‘Son, how I wish you stayed here for many more days. But I am worried about your mother and brothers. They must have turned a tormented lot by now. It would be selfish to detain you here. You should return to them without more delay.’

The strange course of events over the last few days had Bhim nearly forget his family. As soon as they came into his mind, he was nostalgic and prepared to return. Dressed in an elegant white cloth and forehead smeared with sandal powder he took leave of his great grandfather. A few giant snakes carried him on their hood and reached them on the riverbank. Bubbling with energy and enthusiasm, Bhim started for his home.

18. Vasuki, the king of the serpent country, embraces Bhim

Some distance away, the battle was still raging. The snakes would have numbered to several hundreds. But, by now, most preferred to slip into crevices in the watery rocks. During this time, the huge frame of Vasuki could be seen approaching from the west. It did not take long for Bhim to take notice of the towering figure. For a moment, Bhim did feel that this fight may not be an easy one. However, as it was to be, Vasuki’s appearance itself had a calming influence on everyone present, including Bhim. The fierce combat stopped. Looking at the graceful, charming and presently gravely injured Bhim, Basuki was suddenly flooded with tender feelings and he said:

 

‘Young man, you seem to be a prince. What’s your name? Tell me, how did you land here?’

Although generally aggressive, Bhim was touched by the affection. He responded:

‘I am Bhim, son of queen Kunti’.

Curious and beginning to understand the reasons for his attraction for the young lad, Vasuki said,

‘Kunti!  You mean the daughter of King Kunti Bhoj?’

‘Yes Sir. Precisely so. Do you know her?’

Vasuki rushed and embraced Bhim and said,

‘Very much dear. She is my granddaughter. I am so happy that I ‘m meeting her son today. Son! Come closer, give me a hug.’

17. Snakes run away ftom Bhim, rushes to Vasuki

With hundreds of poisonous snakes wriggling around his body hissing in anger and biting without relent, any one else would have been mortally afraid. But Bhim knew no fear. His first action was to tear asunder the ropes that restricted his mobility. Then caught hold of some of his enemies by their tail, tossed them around and threw away. Yet some others were simply crushed to death. The snakes were already upset that the venom, their most potent weapon, was of no use against this strange enemy. On top of that they were least prepared for a full-scale physical assault. Soon they were discomfited, left the field and rushed to Vasuki, their revered king.  

As they began to narrate their ordeal, their voices quivered in fear:

‘Your highness, the lord of the Nagaloka! …No less than a wonder that we are able to present ourselves to your majesty, our body and soul together,... not an iota of exaggeration this, Master, believe us...’.

The huge frame of the king was calm, while he learned about the extraordinary boy with amused attention.

‘We had to exercise all tricks at our command to escape from that boy. He verily looks the incarnation of death and has been causing mayhem in your peaceful kingdom. We submit your majesty visit the place – that backyard of death without delay.’