In this episode from the Mahabharata [Maha:2.1-2.12], the Pandavas, after narrowly escaping the deadly fire set by Duryodhana, make their way to safety through a tunnel constructed beneath their palace. They emerge into a dense forest on the banks of the Ganga River, where Vidura’s trusted servant awaits them. Using a mechanized boat, the Pandavas are ferried across the river to safety, instructed by Vidura to stay in hiding for a while longer.
The Pandavas, disguised as Brahmanas, follow Vidura’s advice and journey to the town of Ekachakrapura. As they travel, Bheema’s immense strength shines, as he carries his brothers and mother when they grow tired. Eventually, they rest, with Bheema standing guard while the others sleep. Bheema reflects on their current predicament—royals now reduced to wandering mendicants—and vows to avenge their suffering at the hands of Duryodhana.
It is during this time that a Rakshasa, Hidimba, notices the Pandavas in his domain. Sensing humans nearby, he orders his sister, Hidimbi, to kill them. However, upon seeing Bheema, Hidimbi falls in love with him and approaches him, transformed into a beautiful woman. She warns Bheema of the danger posed by her brother, but Bheema, confident in his strength, dismisses the threat.
Soon, Hidimba confronts his sister and Bheema. Enraged by her betrayal, Hidimba attacks Bheema, leading to a fierce battle. Bheema, the mighty son of Vayu, easily overpowers and kills Hidimba. Hidimbi, now free of her brother, expresses her love for Bheema and pleads to marry him. Though initially hesitant, Kunti agrees to the union on the condition that the marriage would last only until a son is born.
From this union, Ghatotkacha, a powerful Rakshasa warrior, is born. Known for his incredible strength and loyalty to the Pandavas, Ghatotkacha would later play a significant role in the Kurukshetra war, where his abilities prove pivotal. After the birth of Ghatotkacha, Hidimbi and her son depart, and the Pandavas continue their journey to Ekachakrapura.
Once in Ekachakrapura, the Pandavas stay with a Brahmana family. They live a humble life, with Bheema receiving a larger share of the food, owing to his insatiable hunger, which earns him the name Vrikodhara (wolf-bellied). One day, Kunti overhears the Brahmana’s family lamenting their fate, as it is their turn to send one of their members to be devoured by the Rakshasa Bakasura, who terrorizes the town. The Rakshasa demands a daily offering of food and a person to feast upon.
Moved by their plight, Kunti offers to send Bheema in place of the Brahmana’s family member. Despite Yudhishthira’s concerns for Bheema’s safety, Kunti insists, confident in her son’s strength. The next morning, Bheema delivers the food to Bakasura but eats it himself, enraging the Rakshasa. A mighty battle ensues, with Bheema ultimately overpowering and killing Bakasura. He drags the Rakshasa’s body to the city gates, leaving it as proof of their deliverance.
This episode highlights many important themes in Hindu mythology, including the Pandavas’ reliance on Bheema’s strength, Kunti’s unwavering belief in her son, and the notion of dharma (duty), which guides the Pandavas’ actions, even in exile. Bheema’s marriage to Hidimbi and the birth of Ghatotkacha ties the Pandavas to the supernatural world of the Rakshasas, adding another layer of complexity to their already intricate story.
The story of Bakasura is mirrored in many other instances of Rakshasas troubling towns and being vanquished by heroes in Indian mythology, emphasizing the theme of good triumphing over evil, a recurring motif in the Mahabharata and other Hindu epics. Ghatotkacha’s role later in the Kurukshetra war also connects this episode to the broader narrative, particularly in the complex relationships between humans, gods, and Rakshasas in Hindu cosmology.