utter frightful sounds of distress, throwing their mighty weapons. And
terrified at the wielder of a strong bow, they fled towards the southern
quarter, forsaking their maces and spears and swords and clubs and axes.
And then there stood, holding in his hands darts and maces, the
broad-chested and mighty-armed friend of Vaisravana, the Rakshasa named
Maniman. And that one of great strength began to display his mastery and
manliness. And seeing them forsake the fight, he addressed them with a
smile, 'Going to Vaisravana's abode, how will ye say unto that lord of
wealth, that numbers have been defeated by a single mortal in battle?'
Having said this unto them that Rakshasa, taking in his hands clubs and
javelins and maces, set out and rushed towards the Pandava. And he
rushed in amain like a maddened elephant. Bhimasena pierced his sides
with three choice arrows. And the mighty Maniman, on his part, in wrath
taking and flourishing a tremendous mace hurled it at Bhimasena.
Thereupon Bhimasena beset with innumerable shafts sharpened on stones,
hurled that mighty mace in the sky, dreadful, and like unto the
lightning flash. But on reaching the mace those shafts were baffled; and
although discharged with force by that adept at hurling the mace, still
they could not stay its career. Then the mighty Bhima of dreadful
prowess, baffled his (the Rakshasa's) discharge by resorting to his
skill in mace-fighting. In the meanwhile, the intelligent Rakshasa had
discharged a terrible iron club, furnished with a golden shaft. And that
club, belching forth flames and emitting tremendous roars, all of a
sudden pierced Bhima's right arm and then fell to the ground. On being
severely wounded by that club, that bowman, Kunti's son, of immeasurable
prowess, with eyes rolling in ire, took up his mace. And having taken
that iron mace, inlaid with golden plates, which caused the fear of foes
and brought on their defeat, he darted it with speed towards the mighty
Maniman, menacing (him) and uttering shouts. Then Maniman on his part,
taking his huge and blazing dart, with great force discharged it at