Bhīma & the Terrible Ogre of Ekachakra
(Mahābhārata, Ādi-parva, “Bakasura-vadha”)
1 Quick Background for New Readers
The Pandavas – five heroic brothers, sons of King Pāṇḍu.
Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīma, Arjuna, Nakula, SahadevaKauravas – their jealous cousins, led by wicked Duryodhana.
After a palace-fire plot, the Pandavas hide with their mother Kuntī, wandering in disguise as poor brāhmins.
One day they reach the quiet town of Ekachakra and rent a small room in a potter’s house. They hope no one will recognize them.
2 The Town’s Dark Secret
At dusk the potter’s wife begins to weep. Kuntī gently asks why. The woman explains:
“A flesh-eating ogre named Baka (or Bakasura) lives in the forest. To stop him from attacking us, the king struck a horrible bargain:
Every week one cart of rice, two buffaloes and the person who drives the cart must be delivered to Baka for his meal.”
Tomorrow it is this poor family’s turn to send someone with the cart. The potter’s wife has already chosen herself to spare her children.
Kuntī quietly reassures her:
“अहम् पुत्रं भीमसेनं नियोजयिष्यामि”
aham putraṁ bhīmasenaṁ niyojayiṣyāmi
“I will send my son Bhīmasena in your place.”
3 Bhīma Volunteers for Supper—Not as the Meal!
That night Kuntī tells Bhīma the plan. The mighty second Pandava—famous for wolf-like appetite and elephant strength—grins:
“अहमेव गमिष्यामि”
ahameva gamiṣyāmi – “I myself will go!”
He loves two things: big lunches and bigger fights. Perfect mission.
4 Breakfast in the Forest
At dawn Bhīma trundles the food cart toward the ogre’s cave. Instead of acting scared, he spreads a banana-leaf tablecloth, sits cross-legged, and eats the entire cartload—steamed rice, ghee, sweetcakes—burp!
Bakasura emerges, eight feet tall, claws like sickles, furious his breakfast is gone.
Bhīma wipes his lips and introduces himself:
“अहमस्मि भीमसेनः पाण्डुपुत्रः”
ahamasmi bhīmasenaḥ pāṇḍuputraḥ
“I am Bhīmasena, son of Pāṇḍu.”
5 Wrestling Trees
The ogre swings a tree like a club. Bhīma uproots another tree. They hammer, roar, and crack trunks until splinters rain like confetti. Finally Bhīma bear-hugs the monster, shouting:
“दुरात्मन् मर्तव्यं ते”
durātman martavyaṁ te – “Evil one, your end has come!”
With a thunderous squeeze he snaps Bakasura’s spine. The forest falls silent.
6 A Cart That Comes Home Empty—and Happy
Bhīma ties the limp ogre to the empty cart, hauls it back, and dumps the body at Ekachakra’s gate. Townsfolk gasp, then cheer. Their ordeal is over forever.
Yudhiṣṭhira praises his brother’s motive:
“जनस्य क्लेशं न सहे”
janasya kleśaṁ na sahe – “I cannot bear people’s suffering.”
The Pandavas’ secret remains safe, yet their legend of hidden heroes grows.
Five Sanskrit Lines to Learn & Recite
| # | In Devanāgarī | Transliteration | Easy Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | अहम् पुत्रं भीमसेनं नियोजयिष्यामि | aham putraṁ bhīmasenaṁ niyojayiṣyāmi | “I will send my son Bhīma.” |
| 2 | अहमेव गमिष्यामि | ahameva gamiṣyāmi | “I myself will go.” |
| 3 | अहमस्मि भीमसेनः पाण्डुपुत्रः | ahamasmi bhīmasenaḥ pāṇḍuputraḥ | “I am Bhīma, son of Pāṇḍu.” |
| 4 | दुरात्मन् मर्तव्यं ते | durātman martavyaṁ te | “Wicked one, you must die.” |
| 5 | जनस्य क्लेशं न सहे | janasya kleśaṁ na sahe | “I cannot tolerate people’s misery.” |
Why This Tale Rocks for Kids
Courage in Disguise Even when hiding, heroes protect the innocent.
Strength + Compassion Bhīma’s muscles serve a moral goal—helping strangers.
Memorable Sanskrit Short, punchy lines your child can chant like comic-book catchphrases!
So next time someone bullies the lunch queue, remember Bhīma: stand tall, finish your rice (maybe not all of it!), and guard those who cannot guard themselves.
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