the highly fortunate Lokapalas. And seeing the abode of Kuvera and the
Rakshasas, lying slain on the ground, the king addressed his brother who
was seated, saying, 'Either it be through rashness, or through
ignorance, thou hast, O Bhima, committed a sinful act. O hero, as thou
art leading the life of an anchorite, this slaughter without cause is
unlike thee. Acts, it is asserted by those versed in duties, as are
calculated to displease a monarch, ought not to be committed. But thou
hast, O Bhimasena, committed a deed which will offend even the gods. He
that disregarding profit and duty, turneth his thoughts to sin must, O
Partha, reap the fruit of his sinful actions. However, if thou seekest
my good, never again commit such a deed.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this to his brother, Vrikodara the
virtuous, the highly energetic and firm-minded son of Kunti,
Yudhishthira versed in the particulars of (the science of) profit,
ceased, and began to reflect on that matter.

"On the other hand, the Rakshasas that had survived those slain by Bhima
fled in a body towards the abode of Kuvera. And they of exceeding
fleetness having speedily reached Vaisravana's abode, began to utter
loud cries of distress, being afflicted with the fear of Bhima. And, O
king bereft of their weapons and exhausted and with their mail besmeared
with gore and with dishevelled hair they spake unto Kuvera, saying. 'O
lord, all thy foremost Rakshasas fighting with maces and clubs and
swords and lances and barbed darts, have been slain. O lord of
treasures, a mortal, trespassing into the mountain, hath, singlehanded,
slaughtered all thy Krodhavasa Rakshasas assembled together. And, O lord
of wealth, there lie the foremost of the Yakshas and Rakshasas senseless
and dead, having been struck down; and we have been let off through his
favour. And thy friend, Maniman also hath been slain. All this hath been