Bhima kills Hidimba

Mahabharata Adiparva Hidimbavadha-parva section 155-157

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah

Bhima sits in vigil while Pandavas were sleeping. In that forest a terrible Rakshasa by name Hidimba lived, who feasts on human flesh. He had a sister by name Hidimbi. He smelt the pandavas and sent his sister to find out whether there are any humans nearby, so that he can drink their blood and eat their flesh.

Hidimbi, comes and sees Bhima and immediately falls in love with him. She being capable of changing form at will, transforms into a beautiful lady and approaches Bhima and asks him whether he will enjoy with her and marry her. She tells him that she is sister of a Rakshasa Hidimba and he is waiting to kill them. Bhima says, "When there is a threat to my family members , how could you assume that I will sport with you".

Hidimbi then offers to carry all of them to a far off place. Bhima answers "I dont care about your brother, I fear none. I will not awaken my family members for fear of a Rakshasa. None among humans, gandharvas, rakshasas can be a match to me in battle. You can choose to stay or go back to your brother".

Hidimba not able to wait , comes there and sees his sister talking to Bhima. He chastises her for not killing Bhima, and wanting to marry him. He threatens to kill Hidimbi also.

Bhima catches hold of him and drags him like a lion drags a deer, to a distance of thirty two cubits, so as not to awaken the pandavas. The Rakshasa Hidimba yells a blood curdling roar and there ensues a battle between son of vayu Bhima and Hidimba.

By this time Pandavas and Kunti wake up and see Hidimbi, who tells them what happened while they are asleep. They reach the point where Bhima is battling Hidimba.

Arjuna ridicules Bhima that he is tired and he can come for his help if needed. Bhima fires up with anger and lifts the Rakshasa and rotates him in the air and throws him down with great force. Bhima says "You have been living on unsantified flesh, and you deserve to die". Bhima then breaks Hidimba into two at the middle after bending him. Hidimba one last time gives out a terrible yell that reverberates in the forest and dies. Pandavas praise and congratulate Bhima.

Then they set out towards nearest village, while Hidimbi follows them.

Hari Om