भीमा
| भीमा | |
|---|---|
 An oleograph of Bhima by Ravi Varma Press | |
| Personal Information | |
| जुड़ाव | Pandavas |
| परिवार | Parents Brothers (Kunti)
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| जीवनसाथी | |
| संतान | Sons
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| रिश्तेदार | |
Bhima (टेम्पलेट:Langx, टेम्पलेट:IAST3), also known as Bhimasena (टेम्पलेट:Langx, टेम्पलेट:IAST3), is a divine hero and one of the most prominent figures in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, renowned for his incredible strength, fierce loyalty, and key role in the epic's narrative. As the second of the five Pandava brothers, Bhima was born to Kunti—the wife of King Pandu—through the blessings of Vayu, the wind god, which bestowed upon him superhuman strength from birth. His rivalry with the Kauravas, especially Duryodhana, defined much of his life, with this tension ultimately erupting in the Kurukshetra War, where Bhima killed all hundred Kaurava brothers.[1]
Bhima's life was filled with extraordinary episodes that showcased his unmatched strength and bravery. From childhood, where he was rescued by the Nagas (divine serpents) after being poisoned, to his victories over formidable foes like Bakasura, Hidimba, and Jarasandha, Bhima's adventures are integral to the Mahabharata’s storyline. His raw, earthy nature is reflected in the brutal slaying of his enemies, his immense appetite and his marriage with Hidimbi, a rakshasi (a supernatural being known to consume humans), who bore him a son, Ghatotkacha, a powerful warrior who would later play a significant role in the Kurukshetra War.[1]
Despite his immense physical strength, Bhima was deeply loyal and protective towards his family, particularly towards Draupadi, the common wife of the Pandavas. When Draupadi was humiliated in the Kaurava court, Bhima swore vengeance. He vowed to drink Dushasana's blood and smash Duryodhana's thigh, and years later, he fulfilled these vows during the Kurukshetra War. Bhima's fierce devotion to Draupadi was also evident when he killed Kichaka, who had molested her during the Pandavas' year in disguise at the court of King Virata.[1]
A master of mace combat, Bhima was considered one of the strongest warriors of his time, with his strength often compared to that of thousands of elephants. Yet, despite his brute force, Bhima also embodied a strong sense of justice and duty, which guided his actions throughout the epic. After the war, Bhima aided his brother Yudhishthira in ruling the kingdom and stood by his brother when he later renounced the throne. Bhima accompanied Yudhishthira and the other Pandavas on their final journey to the Himalayas, where he eventually succumbed to his flaw of gluttony. His character endures in Indian and Javanese cultures as a symbol of immense power, righteous anger, and unwavering loyalty.[1]
Etymology and epithets
संपादन करींThe word Bhīma in Sanskrit means "terrifying," "formidable," or "fearsome," describing someone who inspires awe or fear through their sheer strength or power. In the Mahabharata, Bhima is renowned for his vast size, immense physical strength and fierce nature.[2] The suffix sena is often appended to his name, forming Bhīmasena, which can be literally interpreted as "one who possesses a formidable army.".[2]
In the Mahabharata, Bhima is referred to by several synonyms, including:[3][2]
- Vṛkodara — 'wolf bellied', referring to his large appetite
- Anilātmaja, Mārutātmaja, Māruti, Pavanātmaja, Prabhañjanasuta, Samīraṇasuta, Vāyuputra, Vāyusuta — all meaning 'son of the wind god'
- Kaunteya, Pārtha — meaning 'son of Pritha or Kunti'
- Arjunāgraja, Arjunapūrvaja — 'elder brother of Arjuna'
- Acyutānuja — younger brother of Achyuta
- Vallava — 'cook'
- Pāṇḍava — 'a descendant of Pandu'
- Bhīmadhanvā — 'having a formidable bow'
- Jaya — 'victory'
- Kaurava — 'a descendant of Kuru', though this term is more prominently used for his cousins—the sons of Dhritarashtra
- Kuśaśārdūla — 'fierce like a tiger'
- Rākṣasakaṇṭaka — 'one who is a torment to the demons'
Literary background
संपादन करींBhima is a significant character in the Mahabharata, one of the Sanskrit epics from the Indian subcontinent. It mainly narrates the events and aftermath of the Kurukshetra War, a war of succession between two groups of princely cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The work is written in Classical Sanskrit and is a composite work of revisions, editing and interpolations over many centuries. The oldest parts in the surviving version of the text may date to near 400 BCE.[4]
The Mahabharata manuscripts exist in numerous versions, wherein the specifics and details of major characters and episodes vary, often significantly. Except for the sections containing the Bhagavad Gita which is remarkably consistent between the numerous manuscripts, the rest of the epic exists in many versions.[5] The differences between the Northern and Southern recensions are particularly significant, with the Southern manuscripts more profuse and longer. Scholars have attempted to construct a critical edition, relying mostly on a study of the "Bombay" edition, the "Poona" edition, the "Calcutta" edition and the "south Indian" editions of the manuscripts. The most accepted version is one prepared by scholars led by Vishnu Sukthankar at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, preserved at Kyoto University, Cambridge University and various Indian universities.[6]
Bhima also appears in few of the later written Puranic scriptures, most prominent being the Krishna-related Bhagavata Purana.[7]
Biography
संपादन करींBirth and early life
संपादन करीं
Bhima was the second of the five Pandava brothers, the putative sons of retired Kuru king Pandu, and was born to Kunti with divine intervention due to Pandu's inability to conceive. According to the epic, Kunti invoked the wind god, Vayu, using a mantra provided by the sage Durvasa, resulting in Bhima's birth. This divine connection bestowed upon him immense physical strength. At the time of his birth, a celestine prophecy declared that he would become the mightiest warrior. A notable incident in his infancy underscored his extraordinary strength: when he accidentally fell from his mother's lap onto a rock, the rock shattered into pieces while Bhima remained unscathed. This event served as an early indication of his formidable abilities.[3]
After Pandu's demise in the forest, the Pandavas were raised alongside their cousins, Kauravas, in Hastinapura, the capital of Kuru. During his childhood, Bhima's strength was frequently displayed, often to the dismay of the Kauravas, particularly Duryodhana. Bhima's physical prowess frequently led to his victories in their childhood games, resulting in animosity and jealousy among the Kauravas. This enmity culminated in a plot by Duryodhana, who conspired to eliminate Bhima. In one such plot, Bhima was given poisoned food and thrown into the Ganges River while unconscious. However, this plan inadvertently led to Bhima's encounter with the Nagas (divine serpents) in their underwater realm. As Bhima descended into the river's depths, he reached the Naga realm, where the serpents bit him. Their venom neutralised the poison in his body, effectively reviving him. In this realm, Bhima met Aryaka, a Naga chieftain and his maternal relative. Recognising Bhima's divine heritage, Aryaka introduced him to Vasuki, the king of the Nagas. Impressed by Bhima's lineage and potential, Vasuki offered him a divine elixir. Bhima consumed eight pots of this elixir, thereby acquiring the strength of a thousand elephants. He spent eight days in the Naga realm to fully assimilate this power. On the ninth day, the Nagas, honouring his newfound strength, returned Bhima to Hastinapura, where he rejoined his family.[3]
In Hastinapura, Bhima, along with his brothers, was trained in the arts of warfare under the tutelage of Dronacharya, the royal guru. Bhima specialised in the use of the mace (gada) and became an unmatched mace fighter. Additionally, he received advanced training from Balarama, known for his expertise in mace combat. Bhima's training also included proficiency in various other weapons, establishing him as a versatile warrior.[3][8]
Bhima was also renowned for his giant appetite – at times, half of the total food consumed by the Pandavas was eaten by him.[9]
Hiding and encounters with Rakshasas
संपादन करीं
The rivalry between the Pandavas and the Kauravas intensified as they grew older. Bhima's physical strength and assertiveness were sources of constant irritation for Duryodhana, who viewed him as a significant threat. The poisoning incident was one of several attempts by the Kauravas to eliminate Bhima. Another major scheme involved sending the Pandavas, along with Kunti, to Varanavata, where they were placed in a palace made of lac, known as Lakshagraha, with the intention of burning them alive. However, the Pandavas, forewarned by their uncle Vidura, managed to escape through a secret tunnel they had prepared, marking the beginning of their period of concealment to avoid further problems from the Kauravas.[3][10]
After their escape from the burning Lakshagraha, the Pandavas, accompanied by their mother Kunti, traversed the forest to avoid further threats from the Kauravas. During their journey, Kunti and her sons, except Bhima, were overcome with fatigue. Demonstrating his exceptional strength, Bhima carried his mother and brothers on his shoulders through the forest. Their journey led them to the Kamyaka forest, inhabited by the Rakshasa (here, man-eating race) Hidimba and his sister Hidimbi. While the Pandavas rested under a tree, Hidimba, who desired to consume them, dispatched his sister Hidimbi to lure them. However, upon encountering Bhima, Hidimbi was struck by his physical appearance and power, and she proposed marriage to him. When Hidimba discovered her intentions, he became enraged and attacked Bhima. Bhima engaged in combat with Hidimba and, after a fierce battle, killed him. Moved by Hidimbi's plight, Kunti consented to Bhima's marriage to her, on the condition that he would rejoin his family after some time. Bhima and Hidimbi had a son, Ghatotkacha, who later became a significant ally of the Pandavas.[3]
Following this episode, the Pandavas proceeded to the village of Ekachakra, where they lived incognito. During their stay, Bhima encountered and killed the Rakshasa Baka, who had been terrorising the villagers by eating them one by one.[3][11][12]
Marriages and children
संपादन करींThe Mahabhrata mentions three wives of Bhima-Hidimbi, Draupadi and Valandhara, with whom he had one son each. Bhima's first wife, Hidimbi, also known as Hidimbā, was from the Rakshasa race—supernatural beings typically associated with evil deeds, such as consuming humans. Together, they had a son named Ghatotkacha (see previous section for details). Both Hidimbi and Ghatotkacha are notable exceptions, exhibiting benevolent qualities despite their Rakshasa origins.[3][1]
Draupadi was the daughter of King Drupada of Panchala, who held a svayamvara, an ancient ceremony in which a princess could choose her husband from among assembled suitors. During their hiding, they heard of it and went to Panchala to attend it in disguise. During the svayamvara, numerous princes and warriors failed to fulfil the challenge set by King Drupada. However, Arjuna, disguised as a Brahmin, succeeded in the archery challenge, winning Draupadi's hand. The Pandavas, who were in exile and disguised as Brahmins at the time, returned to their temporary abode with Draupadi. In a twist of events, Kunti, unaware of what Arjuna had won, instructed her sons to "share the alms" equally among them. Adhering to their mother's words, the Pandavas agreed to marry Draupadi collectively. Thus, Draupadi became the wife of all five Pandavas, a union that was sanctified by divine mandate. Bhima, being one of her husbands, was known for his deep affection and protective nature toward Draupadi throughout their lives. From Draupadi, Bhima fathered Sutasoma.[3]
Bhima's other wife Valandhara, the daughter of King of Kashi, was won by him at her svayamvara contest. They had a son named Savarga.[3][13][14] The Bhagavata Purana records Valandhara as Kali and Savarga as Sarvagata.[7]
Conquest for Rajasuya
संपादन करीं
After their marriage to Draupadi, the Pandavas' survival was disclosed in Hastinapura. This was followed by the division of the kingdom, with Pandavas establishing a new city called Indraprastha. Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, aspired to perform the Rajasuya Yajna, a royal sacrifice that would establish him as an emperor. For this endeavour, he needed to assert his dominance over other kings and obtain their allegiance. Bhima played a crucial role in this military campaign. He was tasked with subjugating the kingdoms in the eastern region of the sub-continent,[3] since Bhishma—the Grandsire of the Kuru princes— thought the easterners were skilled in fighting from the backs of elephants and in fighting with bare arms. He deemed Bhima to be the most ideal person to wage wars in that region. The Mahabharata mentions several kingdoms to the east of Indraprastha which were conquered by Bhima.[10]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tCAnrHq8r1kC&q=Shadeva+rajasuya&pg=PA319%7Ctitle=The Mystery of the Mahabharata: Vol.4|publisher=India Research Pr
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 James Lochtefeld The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Hinduism (English में).
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Monier-Williams, Sir Monier; Leumann, Ernst; Cappeller, Carl (1899). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and Philologically Arranged with Special Reference to Cognate Indo-European Languages (अंग्रेजी में). Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House. p. 758. ISBN 978-81-208-3105-6.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature. Robarts - University of Toronto. Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-0-8426-0822-0.
- ↑ Brockington, J. L. (1998). The Sanskrit Epics. Brill Academic. p. 26. ISBN 978-9-00410-260-6.
- ↑ Minor, Robert N. (1982). Bhagavad Gita: An Exegetical Commentary. South Asia Books. pp. l–li. ISBN 978-0-8364-0862-1. Archived from the original on 16 अप्रैल 2023. Retrieved 28 जून 2020.
- ↑ McGrath, Kevin (2004). The Sanskrit Hero: Karna in Epic Mahabharata. Brill Academic. pp. 19–26. ISBN 978-9-00413-729-5. Archived from the original on 16 अप्रैल 2023. Retrieved 28 जून 2020.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Sinha, Pürnendu Narayana (1901). A Study of the Bhagavata Purana: Or, Esoteric Hinduism (अंग्रेजी में). Freeman & Company, Limited.
- ↑ "Mahabharata Text".
- ↑ Kapoor, Subodh, ed. (2002). The Indian encyclopaedia : biographical, historical, religious, administrative, ethnological, commercial and scientific (1st ed.). New Delhi: Cosmo Publications. p. 7535. ISBN 9788177552577.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "The Mahabharata, Book 2: Sabha Parva: Jarasandhta-badha Parva: Section XXIX". sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 17 सितंबर 2024.
- ↑ "Kaivara | Chikkaballapur District, Government of Karnataka | India" (अमेरिकी अंग्रेजी में). Retrieved 4 जून 2023.
- ↑ "Mahabharata Text".
- ↑ "The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section XCV". Archived from the original on 16 जनवरी 2010.
- ↑ Erin Bernstein; Kisari Mohan Ganguli (12 जुलाई 2017). The Mahabharata: A Modern Retelling: Volume I: Origins. BookRix. pp. 470–. ISBN 978-3-7438-2228-3.