Bhima and Hidimba

After walking all night, everyone was exhausted. Kunti and four of the brothers fell asleep under a tree, and Bhima kept watch. In that forest lived a rakshasa named Hidimba. He caught the scent of humans and said to his sister Hidimbi, 'Go, kill them and bring them to me.' Hidimbi took the form of a beautiful woman and went there.

But when she saw Bhima, Hidimbi's heart changed. She fell for him and told him the truth: 'My brother wants to eat you all. Marry me, and I will fly you far away.' Bhima said, 'I will not leave my sleeping mother and brothers and go anywhere. I'll deal with your brother.'

When she was late, Hidimba came himself in a rage. Bhima seized him and dragged him away so the family's sleep would not be disturbed. A fierce fight followed, and trees were torn from the ground. The noise woke everyone. Arjuna called, 'Brother, be quick, dawn is near!' Bhima used all his strength and struck Hidimba down.

Hidimbi fell at Kunti's feet and pleaded, 'Mother, in my heart I have taken him as my husband.' Seeing her sincerity, Yudhishthira and Kunti agreed, on the condition that Bhima would spend the day with her and return to the family at night. In time a son was born to them, Ghatotkacha. He promised, 'Whenever you need me, think of me and I will come.'

After this the Pandavas, dressed as brahmins, lived in the home of a brahmin in the town of Ekachakra. There a demon named Bakasura demanded a man and a cartload of food every week. This time it was the brahmin family's turn. Kunti said, 'You have given us shelter. In return, my son will go.' Bhima ate the cartload of food himself, killed Bakasura and freed the town from fear.