Month: May 2026

When Kunti offered to send Bhima to Bakasura, the Brahmin family initially refused, worried about sending someone else’s son to die for them.
But Kunti assured them that her son was capable and had the strength of a hundred elephants, and off went Bhima with a massive cartload of rice, curd, ghee, meat, and wine.
On the way, Bhima sat under a tree and began eating the food. When Bakasura arrived, he found Bhima eating the food that was brought for him. Enraged, Bakasura attacked Bhima, and a fierce hand-to-hand combat took place in the forest.
Bhima and Bakasura used trees as weapons and fought with terrifying strength.
Eventually, Bhima overpowered and killed Bakasura by smashing him, then dragged the corpse to the gates of Ekachakra and returned home quietly.
The next morning, when the people of Ekachakra noticed Bakasura lifeless, they rejoiced as the terror was over.
The Brahmin family were stunned and grateful. They realized Bhima had done something but remained silent, as Kunti had asked them not to tell anyone.
The Pandavas continued living in disguise in the Brahmin’s house.

The Pandavas, along with their mother, took shelter in the house of a poor Brahmin who lived with his wife, son, and daughter. They begged for alms, which were shared equally among them. However, Kunti kept aside Bhima’s share separately due to his large appetite. The Pandavas also secretly trained themselves in warfare skills during the night.

One night, Kunti overheard the Brahmin family’s lamenting and asked the reason for their sorrow. The Brahmin told Kunti about a dreadful man-eating Rakshasa named Bakasura.

He had ordered the villagers to send a cart of food along with one member from each household once per week. It was now the Brahmin family’s turn, and they were preparing to sacrifice one of their members.

Kunti intervened and volunteered to send Bhima to face Bakasura. Despite their protests, Kunti insisted as she wished to repay the Poor Brahmin’s kindness.

The next day, Bhima, carried the cart of food to the forest where Bakasura lived. On his way to the cave, Bhima ate the entire food which was kept for the demon.

Bhima’s son was named Ghatotkacha (pot-headed) because the shape of his bald head resembled a ghata (earthen pot).

After his birth, Bhima departed from the forest and returned to his family, while Ghatotkacha remained with his mother, Hidimba, in the forest, growing in strength and acquiring various skills in warfare.

As the Pandavas were about to leave, Veda Vyasa appeared before them and advised them to remain incognito, as the Kauravas believed them to be dead. To maintain their secrecy, the Pandavas and Kunti disguised themselves as Brahmins.  

Vyasa advised them to go to the town of Ekachakra, where they can safely stay in disguise and recover their strength. Before departing, he told the Pandavas that he would come again at the right time to guide them further.

The Pandavas, along with their mother, set off southward and soon reached Ekachakra. There, they took shelter in the house of a poor Brahmin, begged for alms during the day, and secretly practiced their martial skills.