Bhima kills Baka

Mahabharata Adiparva Bakavadhaparva section 166

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah

At night fall, Bhima takes the cart full of food, and sets out towards where the Rakshasa Baka is there. He stops at a nearby place and calls out loudly the Rakshasa name, and starts eating the food himself. Baka asura, in a fit of rage comes running towards where Bhima is. Baka has a huge body, red hair, red beard, pointed ears, a big mouth from one ear to another with sharp teeth. He is a terror to behold. On seeing that Bhima is eating the food meant for him, he gets angry and challenges him. Bhima turns away his face in derision without replying and continues eating, while showing his back to Baka as defiance. Baka comes running in anger and hits Bhima on his back with such a force as can fell an ox. Bhima is unmoved by that blow and continues eating, and after finishing the food , washes himself and then turns towards the Baka.

Baka breaks a a tree trunk and hits Bhima with that, only to find that the tree trunk gets shattered. Then Bhima grabs the Asura Baka, and they both engage in a hand to hand battle.

The earth shook under the weight of their feet.

Bhima then sensing an opportunity, pins down the asura face down, and puts a knee on the back of Baka, and catching hold of his head and legs, bends the rakshasa into double, and breaks his back. The rakshasa vomit blood and dies.

Hearing his cries, the relatives of Baka, come out of the cave they are dwelling in. They behold the terrible form of victorious Bhima, son of Vayu (wind god), vanquishing Baka, a terror.

Bhima then tells them, never kill a human being again, if you do, you will meet the same fate as Baka. The relatives of Baka flee to all directions in the jungle out of fear, and they never harmed another human being and be at peace with humans.

Bhima then drags the huge body of Baka near to the gate of Ekachakra town , leaves it there and goes off unnoticed. He goes home and narrates the story to his brother Yudhistir and mother Kunti.

Next morning, people of Ekachakra see that Baka, their nemesis has died. They enquire the host of pandavas how it happened, That noble brahmana to shield the identity of Pandavas, told them that he was helped by a brahmana who is well versed in some mantras to kill the Baka.

The town people rejoice and hail the unknown brahmana, and celebrate the victory of the unknown hero.

End of Adiparva Bakavadha parva

Hari Om