Intro
The story of Bhima’s encounter with the brother and sister cannibals Hidimba and Hidimbi is told in hidimba parva. This story is the genesis of Ghatotkacha.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/hidimba
As It Rhymes
1.Â
Vaishampayana said,
‘While the Pandavas slept, out on a limb a cannibal crept.
Hidimba was the name of the wretch.
Hidimba perched on a limb outstretched.
2.
From Hidimba’s waist human spines dangled like tangled chain.
Hidimba cooked men head to foot.Â
Hidimba’s skin was black with soot.
Hidimba’s soil patina stain layered like clouds full of rain.
3.
Hidimba’s terrible mouth of filed teeth were stained with clots of blood and chunks of brain like betel or cherry stain.
4.
The cannibal’s neck was asylum nurse thick.Â
Hidimba’s nose and eyes led him to the Pandava surprise.
5.
Hidimba gave the corners of his mouth a lick.
The intoxicating scent of human flesh almost made Hidimba sick.
6.
Hidimba’s smokey matted hair shook.
Hidimba’s mouth drooled every time he gave the sleeping men a look.
7.
Giddy with glee, Hidimba spoke to his sister Hidimbi.
8.
Hidimba said,
‘Lookee lookee!
My favorite cookie sleeps under the stars of our shala tree.
9.
Tonight my eight filed teeth will tear their fleshy, greasy oily flesh apart.
10.
I will bite their necks.
We will float on foamy blood froth.
11.
Listen girl, you must play your part.
Go come on to them, play the heart.
12.
Kill them all.
Then summon me.
13.
We’ll eat our fill of flesh raw.
You have my word straight from the jaw.
14.
We’ll eat the tasty bits like shared treasure.
We’ll dance and make merry beyond measure.’
15-16.
After Hidimba said this, Hidimibi crept close to the Pandava camp.
There the Pandavas slept except the sentry Bhima.
17.
Hidimbi saw Bhimasena with limbs thick and curved like a shala tree.
Seeing Bhimasena drove Hidimbi mad with lustful whims.
18.
The rakshasi cooed at Bhima,Â
‘Ooh! look at his dark complexion.
Shoulders of a lion.
Mighty limbs.
Lotus eyed.
My desire to unite, I cannot hide.Â
19.
My brother’s command to kill, I cannot abide.
A woman’s love for a sick husband trumps a red-pilled brother’s ill will.
20.
I will enjoy a momentary feast with a corpse in hand.
I will enjoy many pleasures many times over with a husband on the other hand.
21.
Hidimbi’s eyes went wide as she gazed upon Bhima’s limbs with longing.
Hidimbi’s steeling resolve to have Bhima in a wedding slowly undid Hidimba’s bidding.
22.
Hidimbi approached Bhima in the moonlight with her bodice ripping.
She spoke to Bhima.
23.
Hidimbi asked,
‘What’s brought you to my keep?
Who are these other five asleep?’
24.
‘You snore on the forest floor.
Don’t you know Hidimba lay next door?
25.
Hidimba is a cannibal of the forest.Â
This is Hidimba’s territory.
26.
Hidimba sent me here to harvest you with charm.Â
Do not be afraid, I can protect you from my brother’s harm.
27.
You are beautiful and I want your baby.Â
I swear no other will sway me.Â
28.
I see my dharma in your arms.
Desire rings my ears with hot blood.
29.
I will protect you from the cannibals of this wood.
You will reside on this mountain as my husband.
30.
Before I was a stone cold reaver.
Now I’m a warm believer in baby fever.’
31-32.
Bhimasena said,
‘You take me for a man who would abandon his brothers and mother asleep in the forest full of cannibals for lust.
Who can you trust?’Â
33.
Hidimbi said,
‘They are dear to you I can see.
Wake them all, I can lead you all to be free.’
34.
Bhimasena said,
‘Wake them all up? Are you crazy?Â
They sleep happy and cage free.
35.
Your wicked brother’s appetite does not give us fright.
No cannibal nor angel nor demon can withstand my might.
36.
So stay or go, but send me your hungry bro.’
Notes
[1] Janamejaya, Vaishampayana ibid.
Translation Notes
