Bhima continued climbing the slopes of the Himalayas. Soon, he found a garden in an enclosure. The fragrance surely came from there. The garden was protected by an army of demons. The Pandava did not bother and went right into the garden. Bhima found a lake with so many of the Saugandhika flowers growing in it. He was about to enter into the lake.

It was only then that the sentries noticed the Pandava. They blocked his way and said. “Who are you to come here without permission? This garden and lake are the property of the god of wealth (Kubera). He has appointed us to guard this place with special instruction not to let any one in. Even gods take his permission before getting in. This is beyond the reach of humans. You better return the way you came”.

Bhima said. “I am Bhima the Pandava, and the younger brother of Yudhishthira. I came looking for these flowers for my wife, Draupadi. I find this garden in the middle of wilderness. The stream flowing down the Himalayas feed into this lake. I do not see how your master stakes his claim on this place. To me, this is very much a public place.”

The guards were taken aback by the bold reply, but, maintained a stern stand. “If you are that desperate, then, better take the permission of Kubera”.

Bhima replied. “I am of royal birth. Begging for favours is not in our code of conduct. I take what I want. You do what you like”.

So, saying, Bhima tried to entere into the lake. The demons were enraged by this rebuff. They attacked the Pandava from all sides with arrows and other weapons. Bhima jumped into their midst swinging his formidable club. For the mighty Bhima, this was more like a nuisance than a real challenge. The demons found the Pandava more than a match for their combined might and took flight to report the matter to the god of wealth.

Yudhishthira traces Bhima


Meanwhile, Yudhishthira observed some ill omens. He was not aware of Bhima’s disappearance. It was then that Draupadi told him about Bhima’s mission at her request. The Pandava king was worried. May be that his younger brother would act rashly and invite the wrath of gods up the Himalayas. So, he asked Ghatotkaca to take them all in search of Bhima.

It was easy for the party to follow the path taken by the mighty Bhima. Huge trees remained uprooted and a clearance in the middle of thick forest showed the way Bhima moved. Soon, they reached the lake where Bhima was busy collecting a bounty of the Saugandhika flowers. By then, the demons had all been chased away by Bhima.

Yudhishthira warned his brother against rash adventures in the realm of the gods.
While the Pandavas were talking, the demons returned with good news. The god of wealth had given permission to the Pandava to take as many flowers as he pleased. A confrontation was averted.

To the hermitage of Nara and Narayana

The Pandavas stayed in the garden of Kubera for a few days with the permission from the god of wealth. Yudhishthira was interested to go further up the mountain to the palace of the god of wealth. But, sage Lomasa prevented him saying that the path was too difficult for them to try. Instead he showed the way to the pilgrimage centre called Badari. (This is a popular destination of pilgrims even today). Two of the earliest sages, Nara and Narayana, had spent most of their life doing penance there. (One school of thought maintains that Nara took birth as Arjuna and Narayana as Krishna).

Vyasa ends “the chapter of Pilgrimage (Teertha Yaatraa Parvam)” here. (We are yet to cover some of the stories in it).