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85.YUDHISHTHIRA'S FOND HOPE
But I must also
obey him and fulfil his command. And so
I go, trusting him to your care."
"Bhima, do not be concerned. Go with an
assured mind. Drona cannot take
Yudhishthira without first killing me,"
said the heroic son of Drupada, sworn
enemy of Drona. And Bhima hurried
away.
The Kauravas surrounded Bhima in full
force and vowed to prevent him from
going to Arjuna's relief. But like a lion
scattering less noble beasts he put his
enemies to flight, killing no less than
eleven of the sons of Dhritarashtra. Bhima
then approached Drona himself. "Stop,"
cried Drona. "Here I am, your enemy.
You cannot proceed further without
defeating me. Your brother Arjuna went
in with my consent. But I cannot let you
go." Drona spoke thus believing that he
would receive the same courtesy from
Bhima as he did from Arjuna. But Bhima
was furious at hearing these words of
Drona, and answered scornfully.
"Oh brahmana, it was not with your
permission that Arjuna went. He broke
your resistance and pierced your battle
lines fighting his way through, but he did
not hurt you out of pity. But I shall not,
like Arjuna, show mercy to you. I am your
enemy. Once upon a time, you were our
preceptor and were like a father to us. We
respected you as such. Now, you have
yourself said you are our enemy. May it
be so!" Saying this, Bhima aimed his
mace at Drona's chariot that crumbled to
pieces. And Drona had to take to another
chariot.
The second chariot too was broken to
pieces. And Bhima forced his way
through overcoming all opposition. Drona
lost eight chariots that day. And the army
of the Bhojas, that tried to stop Bhima,
was completely destroyed.
He proceeded mowing down all
opposition and reached where Arjuna was
fighting Jayadratha's forces.
As soon as he saw Arjuna, Bhima roared
like a lion.
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