Bhima in the Mahabharata: Strength, Vows and Loyalty

Quick answer: Bhima (Bhimasena) is the second of the five Pandava brothers, the son of Kunti by Vayu, the wind god. The strongest of the brothers and a master of the mace, he was Duryodhana's lifelong rival. He killed the rakshasas Hidimba and Baka, the king Jarasandha and the commander Kichaka; after Draupadi's humiliation he vowed to kill Duhshasana and break Duryodhana's thigh, and in the war he kept both vows.

Bhima is the Pandava of fierce love and fierce anger: devoted to Draupadi and his brothers, quick to act when others hesitate. This page follows his life in story order, with references to the critical edition of the Mahabharata (Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune), given as book.chapter.verse.

Youth and rivalry

Bhima was born from Vayu through Kunti's mantra. As a boy he bullied his Kaurava cousins in play, and Duryodhana came to hate him. Duryodhana once poisoned him and threw him, bound, into the Ganga; according to the Adi Parva, the nagas revived him and gave him a drink that made him immensely strong. He learned the mace from Drona and later from Balarama.

Hidimba and Baka

When the Pandavas escaped the house of lac, Bhima carried his mother and brothers through the forest. There he killed the rakshasa Hidimba and, with Kunti's consent, married Hidimba's sister Hidimbi, who bore him Ghatotkacha (Adi Parva). See Ghatotkacha. At Ekachakra, when the town had to send a victim to the demon Baka, Kunti offered Bhima, and he killed the demon.

Jarasandha

Before Yudhishthira's Rajasuya, Krishna, Arjuna and Bhima went to Magadha disguised as brahmins to remove King Jarasandha, who held many kings prisoner. Bhima fought him in single combat for days and killed him (Sabha Parva, from 2.22).

The vows in the dice hall

When Draupadi was dragged into the assembly and insulted, Bhima vowed that he would break Duryodhana's thigh and drink the blood of Duhshasana in battle (Sabha Parva). These vows hang over the rest of the epic.

Meeting Hanuman

In the forest years, Draupadi asked Bhima for the fragrant saugandhika flowers. On the way, Bhima found an old monkey lying across his path, who asked him to move its tail; Bhima could not lift it. The monkey was Hanuman, his elder brother as a son of Vayu, who blessed him and showed him his great form (3.146 to 3.150).

Kichaka

In the year of disguise, Bhima served as the cook Ballava at Virata's court. When the commander Kichaka harassed Draupadi and the king did nothing, she came to Bhima at night. Bhima waited for Kichaka in the dance hall and killed him (Virata Parva).

The war

Bhima fought throughout the eighteen days and killed many of Dhritarashtra's sons. In the Karna Parva he met Duhshasana, killed him and, keeping his vow, drank his blood before the horrified armies (8.61.10 to 11). On the eighteenth day, Duryodhana hid in a lake; called out, he chose Bhima for a mace duel. At a signal from Arjuna, prompted by Krishna, Bhima struck him on the thighs, breaking them, which was against the rules of mace combat (9.57). Balarama was angered by the foul blow.

After the war

Bhima served as Yudhishthira's heir and commander. On the final journey he was the last to fall before Yudhishthira; Yudhishthira told him it was because he had eaten too much and boasted of his strength without regard for others (17.2.25).

What the tradition draws from him

Bhima stands for strength used to protect, and for loyalty without calculation. The Nirjala Ekadashi fast, also called Bhima Ekadashi, is linked with him in Puranic tradition: Vyasa is said to have taught it to Bhima, who found it hard to fast. See Nirjala Ekadashi Mahatmyam.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Bhima's father?

Vayu, the wind god, through Kunti's mantra. Pandu was his father by law and custom.

Why is Bhima called Vrikodara?

"Wolf-bellied", for his great appetite.

How did Bhima kill Duryodhana?

In a mace duel, by striking his thighs (9.57), fulfilling his vow from the dice hall.

Was Hanuman Bhima's brother?

Both were sons of Vayu. They meet in the Aranyaka Parva (3.146 to 3.150).

Who was Bhima's son with Hidimbi?

Ghatotkacha, who fought for the Pandavas and was killed by Karna.

Related reading

• Mahabharata: The Complete Guide
• Mahabharata story summary
• Draupadi in the Mahabharata
• Yudhishthira in the Mahabharata

Sources

1. The Mahabharata, critical edition (Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, 1933 to 1966); electronic text BORI 1999, via Indology: indology.info/bombay/mahabharata. References are book.chapter.verse in this edition.

Last reviewed: 12 November 2026.