Initially, the Headman tries to control Mara with his harsh words. He calls him a lunatic and orders him to keep away from the path. When this fails, he even tries to cajole Mara by offering him a gift on condition that he kept away. After failing to persuade Mara to leave the spot with either threat or reward, the Headman decides to use force on Mara. He decides to make use of Bhima, a giantsized man, to restrict Mara from coming to the spot. He instructs Bhima to bind Mara hand and foot and throw him into the cellar behind the old temple and keep him there till the king passed by that way. He also cautions Mara that if he tried any trick, Bhima would crush him between his thumb and forefinger.
