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.
Vaishampayana said,
‘The Pandavas, those tigers among men, gazed in wide-eyed wonder at Hidimbi’s moonlit form.
2.
Kunti spoke sweet to Hidimbi,
3.
‘Be honest.
Which God lifted your bridal shroud?
4.
Are you the spirit of the forest?’
Are you an apsara fallen from a cloud?
5.
Hidimbi said,
‘My home is Blue-Cloud forest.
A cannibal named Hidimba plagues these woods.
6.
Hidimba is a king among cannibals.
I am his sister, a queen among animals.
7.
Hidimba sent me here to kill you all.
When I saw your son’s gold bronze skin I was enthralled.
8.
I thought our encounter might be fate.
Cupid’s arrows pointed me to my mate.
9.
Your son is so handsome!
He is prettier than a king’s ransom.
10.
My brother heard us talking.
My brother tried to kill me.
11.
Before Hidimba could find his mark,
your son dragged him into the dark.
12.
That thunderous call is their bark.
Neither one will fall.’
13.
Vaishampayana said,
Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva leaped to their feet.
14.
They ran toward the commotion and saw Bhima and the cannibal fighting like two lions.
15.
A great dust arose like forest fire smoke.
16.
The cliff became a heated battleground from ground and pound.Â
17.
Arjuna laughed.
Arjuna gave a poke.
18-19.
‘Bhima, are you weak?
I can finish the job if you need to cop a seat.
Nakula and Sahadeva peep the half-dead cannibal like red meat.’
20.
Bhima said,
‘You just stay right there and watch me wrench this wretch.’
21-22.
Arjuna said,
‘Ok but don’t take long.
Don’t let up.
It’s close to sandhya.
They say the cannibals get real strong at sunrise.
23.
Bhima don’t play!
Put the chump away!’
24.
Vaishampayana said,
Bhima hackles were raised by Arjuna’s needling heckles.
Bhima blazed like the maw of death at the time of destruction.
25.
Bhima caught the cannibal in a solid hold under his shoulder.
Bhima whirled the cannibal into a boulder.
26.
Bhima said,
‘I’ve put an end to your wanton sin.
You’re polluted from eating wonton men.
27.
I’ll save the earth from your rebirth.’Â
28-29.
Arjuna said,
‘I’ll help you kill the cannibal scum.
Vrikodara take a break, let me handle this bum!’
30.
On hearing Arjuna’s words, Bhimasena smashed Hidimba down with force.
The blow knocked Hidimba’s life off course.
31.
Hidimba’s body made a wet thud on the ground like a drum.
Hidimba’s death scream echoed.
32.
Then Bhima broke Hidimba’s back.
Bhima dumped Hidimba’s corpse on a rock.
33.
The Pandavas rejoiced upon seeing Hidimba vanquished and Bhima unscathed.Â
They celebrated Bhima the tiger.
34.
Arjuna said,
‘Well done, Vrikodara.
35.
There is a city not far from here.
We can go there without fear that Suyodhana’s spies will be near.
36.
The five chariot warriors set off down the forest path in an instant.
Kunti followed the Pandavas and Hidimbi followed Kunti at a short distance.Â
Notes
[1] Vaishampayana, ibid.
[22] Sandhya, Raudra muhurta. Sandhya refers to twilight and dusk.