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.
Bhimasena said to Hidimbi,
‘Scram! Shoo!
Ain’t no trust in you.’
2.
Yudhishthira said,
‘Bhima you are a tiger’s tiger among men.
What dharma is there in mauling a woman?
3.
You proved your worth by crushing the cannibal into the earth.
What can the cannibal’s sister do with wrath but give you mirth?’
4.
Vaishampayana said,
Hidimbi seized her moment to be emboldened.
Hidimbi approached Bhima’s mother Kunti with hands folded.
5.
Hidimbi said to Yudhishthira and Kunti,
‘I am afflicted with the achy breaky heart of female regeneration.
Your Bhimasena is a magnificent specimen.
6.
The urge to bear his burdens my hip.
This is the straight truth from my lip.
7-15.
It’s a woman’s dharma to bear offspring.
Let me have Bhima just until the spring.’
16.
Yudhishthira said,
‘Hidimbi there is no doubt you feel that way.
The truth of love can be heard plain as day.
17.
Let Bhima bathe and pray.
Then you may marry and consort.
18.
By day you two may sport in delight.
Return Bhima to us before each night.’
19.
So they all came to a shared agreement.
The cannibal woman told the truth about her love for Bhimasena.
20.
Bhima agreed to wife Hidimbi.
Hidimbi was happy to join the dynasty.
21.
Bhimasena and Hidimbi spent a lot of time together getting to know each other.
They roamed here and there over the mountain together.
22.
The two hiked through splendid sylvan forests.
The two sported on placid lakes and stream beds.
23.
Soon Hidimbi’s form changed due to being pregnant.
Pandava Bhima was determined to be present.
24.
Like that the two nested like love birds.
Everywhere they went together spending hours laying in lotus flowers.
25.
They stepped to and fro.
Their cries of love cried down the mountain in echo.
26.
Like flowering trees Bhima and Hidimbi consorted.
They made love in mountain caves.
27.
The two traipsed over hundreds of rosebud lakes and streams.
Bhima and Hidimbi roamed the territory finding golden gem stud dreams.
28.
The two enjoyed garlands fashioned from divine flower gardens.
Bhima and Hidimbi swung on vines hung from giant banyan trees.
29.
Bhima and Hidimbi saw sacred hermitage sites.
Bhima and Hidimbi took in the first and last rays of daylight.
30.
Bhima and Hidimbi lived in love and delight.
Bhima and Hidimbi never left each other’s side.
31.
The cannibal woman gave birth to Bhimasena’s strong son.
The baby was large and had a gape mouth and ears like arrow points.
32.
The infant emitted terrible yells and pungent smells.
33.
Bhima and Hidimbi’s hearts and minds were arrested.
The boy was long nosed and deep chested.
34.
The boy would develop great strength and speed.Â
Among the cannibals the boy would be feared.
35.
As soon as he could stand the boy had weapons in hand.
36.
Bhima’s cannibal son was the first-born gestation of the next generation.
37.
The boy touched his father and mother’s feet out of respect.
38.
Hidimbi joked that his head was shaped like a water pot.
So she named him Ghatotkacha on the spot.
39.
The Pandavas doted on Ghatotkacha.
The great souled Ghatotkacha was destined for a meteoric life.
40.
Soon Hidimbi fell out of love and was bored being Bhima’s wife.
Hidimbi knew her time living the life was closing.
41.
Hidimbi kept custody of Ghatotkacha.
Grandma Kunti spoke to Bhima’s young son before they parted.
42.
They heard Kunti say to Ghatotkacha.
43.
‘We may say goodbye soon.Â
Always remember this my son.
You were born by Bhimaseana the mighty.
You are the first born given to my five sons by the almighty.Â
You are the finest and most significant spawn of the Kuru dynasty.’
44.
The Pandavas folded their hands at Kunti.
45.
Ghatotkacha would grow up in the image of his father who struck like lightning.
Among the cannibals there were none as frightening.
 46.
In time Ghatotkacha would out class the bully Karna.
Ghatotkacha was destined to die by Karna’s lone shakti bullet.Â
The Pandavas Depart for Ekachakra
1.
The Pandavas wandered the wilderness.
The Pandavas hunted when hungry.
2.
The Pandavas passed through many lands, Matsya, Trigarta, Panchala, Kichaka - keeping all the while to forests and remote lake valleys.
3.
The Pandavas’ hair grew matted locks.
They carried Kunti on their shoulders like ox.
4-5.
The Pandavas studied Vedas and Vedangas.
The Pandavas trained with weapons and gave penance.
6-12.
Then one day the Pandavas made their way back to civilized places by feel.
They rode wild horses to a city named Ekachakra, the double wheel.
Notes
In Ekachakra, the Pandavas next encounter Baka.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/baka
Ghatotkacha would factor on the side of the Pandavas during the war.
