Second Pandava; demigod son of Vāyu by Kuntī. Strongest of the Pandavas — physically dominant character of the epic. Slayer of Bakāsura, Hiḍimba, Jarāsandha, Kīcaka, Duḥśāsana (whose blood he drinks fulfilling his Sabha Parva oath), and Duryodhana (whose thighs he breaks with the mace, on Krishna's strategic counsel given Duryodhana's waist-up invulnerability). Father of Ghaṭotkaca by the rakshasi Hiḍimbā. The wrath-and-vengeance pole of the epic, opposite Yudhiṣṭhira's dharma pole. Falls during the great-departure march; karmic fault per Yudhiṣṭhira: gluttony and pride.