Bhīma
Hindu · demigod · dvapara yuga · Recorded classification
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.
Parentage
Children
Domains
- physical strength supreme
- wrath and vengeance
Powers
- Fights unmatched with the mace
- Exerts superhuman, world-shaking strength
Epithets
- वृकोदर 'Wolf-bellied' — for his enormous appetite and digestionMahābhārata (Ādi Parva) (primary)
- भीमसेन 'He of terrible army/might'Mahābhārata (Ādi Parva) (primary)
- जरासन्धजित् 'Conqueror of Jarāsandha' — for slaying the king of MagadhaMahābhārata (Sabhā Parva) (primary)
Relations
- spouse: Balandhara
- spouse: Hidimba
- sibling: KarṇaReciprocal of hindu_karna.siblingMahabharata, Strīparva 27 (primary)
- sibling: YudhiṣṭhiraMahabharata, Adi Parva 122 (primary)
- sibling: ArjunaMahabharata, Adi Parva 123 (primary)
- spouse: DraupadīMahabharata, Adi Parva 191-198 (primary)
- father of: SutasomaMahabharata, Adi Parva 95.75 (primary)
- father of: GhaṭotkacaMahabharata, Adi Parva 152-158 (primary)
- father of: SarvagaMahabharata, Adi Parva 95.76; Anuśāsana Parva 4 (primary)
- enemy: Duryodhana (eldest of the Kauravas, son of Dhritarashtra, primary antagonist of the Mahabharata) · HinduDuryodhana entry pending. Bhīma's primary epic adversary.Mahabharata Sabha Parva through Śalya Parva (primary)
Sources
- existence: Mahabharata Adi-Mahāprasthānika Parvas; Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.22 (primary)
- parentage: Mahabharata, Adi Parva 122 (primary)