Bheem — also spelled Bhima — is the second of the five Pandava brothers in the Mahabharata. The text identifies him as the son of Vayu, the wind, born to Kunti through the mantra she had been given by the sage Durvasa. He is the largest of the brothers in build, the strongest, the loudest in anger, and the most direct in his loyalties.
The poisoning
The Adi Parva records an episode from Bheem's boyhood that established the lines of enmity that would run the length of his life. The Kaurava cousin Duryodhana, jealous of Bheem's strength even as a child, fed him poisoned food and threw him bound into the Ganga. Bheem sank to the underwater realm of the Nagas. There the king of the Nagas, recognising him, fed him a draught that neutralised the poison and granted the strength of ten thousand elephants. He returned to the surface.
Bakasura
During the Pandavas' years in exile after the fire at Varanavata, Bheem encountered a rakshasa named Bakasura who had been demanding from a nearby village a regular tribute of food and one human being. The villagers had agreed to send the food in carts driven by men who would not return. When it was the turn of the family with whom the Pandavas were sheltering, Bheem went in the cart in place of the family's son.
He ate the food on the way. When Bakasura attacked, Bheem killed him. The villagers, freed from the tribute, named the place after the killing.
Hidimba and Ghatotkacha
In another forest, the Pandavas were attacked by the rakshasa Hidimba, who tried to ambush them in their sleep. Bheem fought and killed him. Hidimba's sister Hidimbi, who had seen Bheem before the fight and fallen in love with him, asked to marry him. With Kunti's permission, Bheem agreed for a fixed term. Their son was Ghatotkacha, who later played a decisive role in the Kurukshetra war.
Jarasandha
Years later, on Krishna's counsel, the three eldest Pandavas — Yudhishthira, Bheem, Arjuna — went in disguise to the kingdom of Magadha, ruled by Jarasandha. Jarasandha had been imprisoning kings for sacrifice. He could only be defeated in a wrestling match, and only by being torn in two and the halves thrown in opposite directions to prevent the body from rejoining.
Bheem wrestled him for many days. According to the Mahabharata, Krishna gave the sign — he tore a leaf in two and threw the halves in opposite directions — and Bheem did the same to Jarasandha.
The oath
After the dice game at Hastinapura, when Dushasana dragged Draupadi by the hair into the assembly hall, Bheem took an oath. He would break Duryodhana's thigh with his mace. He would tear open Dushasana's chest and drink his blood. He would not eat until the oaths were fulfilled.
Twelve years of exile and one of disguise followed. The oaths held. At Kurukshetra, Bheem killed all hundred sons of Dhritarashtra. He killed Dushasana in single combat and fulfilled the oath the text describes him taking. He defeated Duryodhana in the final mace fight with a blow to the thigh — a move outside the rules of mace combat, made on the strength of the original oath.
The Pandava of strength
The Mahabharata describes Bheem with a particular vocabulary: balavan, strong; krodhi, prone to anger; vrikodara, wolf-bellied (for his appetite). His weapon is the mace. His patron deity is Vayu. He is the brother most often described eating, fighting, lifting, and laughing.
How the Anahat Force of the Pandava design represents him
The Anahat Force of the Pandava kids' t-shirt features Bheem, the second Pandava, illustrated for younger wearers. The design references his association with the wind, his mace, and his role as the strongest of the brothers. It is part of Anahat's Devdutt Pattanaik collection.
Wear the Force of the Pandava
Bheem on premium organic cotton, sized for kids. Designed in India by Anahat.
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FAQ
Who is Bheem in the Mahabharata?
The second of the five Pandava brothers, born to Kunti and the wind-god Vayu. He is the strongest and largest of the brothers.
What weapon does Bheem use?
The mace (gada). He was trained by Drona alongside his brothers, and learned advanced mace combat from Balarama.
What are Bheem's most-told stories?
The poisoning by Duryodhana, the killing of Bakasura, the marriage to Hidimbi and the birth of Ghatotkacha, the wrestling match with Jarasandha, and the fulfilment of his oaths at Kurukshetra.
What is the Force of the Pandava design?
The Anahat Force of the Pandava kids' t-shirt features Bheem, illustrated in the brand's heritage-art style for younger wearers.