Intro
Baka parva tells the story of Bhima’s fight with a cannibal named Baka.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/baka
As It Rhymes
Chapter 2-3 (158-159)
Brahman Family Lament
[abridged]
1-38.
After the husband spoke words so sad.
His wife, daughter and son broke bad.
First the wife argued her case for death.
Then the daughter claimed she was ready to breathe her last breath.
1-22.
At last the youngest son jumped up and gave a threat.
‘Don’t cry pa. Don’t cry ma. I’ll kill the rakshasa!’
23.
The brahman and his wife’s eyes moistened.
All at once they felt stricken.
24.
At that moment Kunti appeared from behind the curtain.
Chapter 4 (160)
Kunti’s Question
1.
Kunti said,
‘What is the root of your misery?
I will uproot to the best I am able.’
2.
Brahman said,
‘Lady you are a saint.
But there ain’t no way off Baka’s dinner table.
3.
A rakshasa - cannibal - named Baka lives near here.
Baka rules over this land with the strength of Lord Siva’s hand.
4.
Baka has an evil mind.
Baka has no regard for mankind.
5.
Baka is the lord of this land.
Lord Baka knows no fear.
6.
Baka demands a tribute he calls salary.
Baka’s take is a cart load of food hauled by two buffalo.
Baka eats the haul plus the man who brung it all.
7.
One by one families take turns offering members to Baka for food.
Those who sacrifice are determined by lotto.
8.
Some men endeavor to liberate us from this miscreant but they don’t know how.
Sons, wives and daughters at any time could be rakshasa chow.
9-10.
King Vetrakiyagriha is a lazy stupid ruler.
He has failed to protect his subjects from a predator.
That weak king is the source.
11.
With words a Brahman makes a living.
Blowing this way and that like a free-bird on the wing.
12.
First peace is won is by the king.
There follows wealth, sons and community.
13.
The opposite is true for me.
I have fallen after gaining status and family.
14.
My days of service are closing fast.
I’ve drawn a lot to serve Baka’s breakfast.
15.
I have no wealth nor knowledge to gain immunity.
No friend to loan me money nor a place to hide away.
16.
I see no liberation from the rakshasa’s appetite.
I drown in an ocean of spite.
17.
Thousands have been eaten by rakshasa cretin.
To them our lives are pitiable.
To them we pitiful humans are kibble.’
Notes
[3] rakshasa is a cannibal, or demonic physical being.
Lord Siva is one of the three principal deities along with Brahma and Vishnu.