Intro
Baka parva tells the story of Bhima’s fight with a cannibal named Baka.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/bakaAs It Rhymes
Bhima breaks Baka
1.
Yudhishthira said,
“You win. I am smarter because of you, Mom.
Your act to remove the brahman’s distress makes me weep.
Your words put my objection that this is sin to sleep.
2.
Bhima will kill Baka I am certain.
The Brahman’s prosperity will keep.
3.
Tell the Brahman he must not breathe a word of us.
They all must grasp the point of a promise to stay mum, trust.”
4-5.
That night Bhimasena left in a violent mood.
Bhima entered the silent wood where Baka lived.
Bhima shouted out to Baka in the dark.
Bhima sat down to feast.
Baka’s offering fed the hangry beast.
6.
The cannibal ran fast.
The cannibal went mad at the sight of Bhima gulping down a vat of lassi.
7-8.
Baka’s had a huge belly and a fiery redhead.
The earth trembled where the iron Baka tread.
Baka’s red beard was streaked with greasy flesh.
Baka’s matted dreadlocked hair gave him a flaming headdress.
Three lines creased Baka’s forehead.
Baka scowled. Baka growled.
Baka’s mouth stretched ear to ear to reveal sharp as a shark teeth.
9.
Baka’s eyes went wide with surprise when Baka saw Bhimasena eating up all Baka’s foods.
10.
Baka spoke,
“Who is this mad stupid fool who dares to steal from Lord Baka who rules these woods?”
11.
Bhimasena kept eating with a grin.
This made the Rakshasa’s head spin.
Baka threw a hissy fit after Bhimasena spit out an olive pit.
12.
The Rakshasa stormed at Bhima with a terrible form.
Baka thwacked Bhima in the back.
13.
Vrikodara was unmoved and calmly chewed a bit of hardtack.
The Rakshasa took a step back to make another mad attack.
14.
Then Baka struck Bhima with enough force to make a man crack.
Bhima coughed and chewed, showing Baka he was unmoved.
15-17.
Baka really lost it then.
Baka tore down a tree to make a club.
Bhima burped and finished the last of Baka’s grub.
18.
Bhima felt filled with wrath as Baka made his dash.
Bhima’s left hand moved like a lightning flash to catch Baka’s club.
19.
Baka and Bhimasena deforested the trees.
Baka and Bhima made battle clubs by breaking dead wood over iron knees.
21.
Baka wrapped Bhima up in his arms.
“You will know my name is Baka!”, Baka roared in alarm.
22-23.
Bhimasena grabbed hold of Baka with the upper hand.
Bhimasena dragged Baka low.
Bhima made Baka like a plow.
Bhima felt Baka was gassed.
24-25.
At last Baka was too tired to stand.
Baka’s body crashed to the earth with a thud.
At death’s door the rakshasa was spitting blood.
Bhima squeezed Baka in a bear hug.
26-27.
Bhima pinned Baka’s chest to the ground with his knees.
With one hand Bhima gripped Baka’s chin.
With the other Bhima grabbed Baka’s garment at the hip.
Bhima pressed down on Baka with his knee and pulled with his arms like he was stringing a bow.
Baka’s head turned twice like a wheel - three hundred sixty degrees.
28.
Baka vomited blood in a death throe.
Baka’s broken body gasped its ghastly last.
Then Baka passed.
Notes
[4] When Bhima fought Hidimba, he was almost overcome with fatigue and lost the fight. This time he knows to carbo-load on Baka's food so he does not tire.
[11] Rakshasa is a cannibal, or demonic being.
[13] Vrikodara is Bhimasena. Vrikodara means wolf's belly - due to Bhima's legendary appetite.