RECAP

Pandavas escape Kauravas’ attempts on their lives several times, including the plot to set them on fire at Varanavata. They escape blazing palace through a subterranean passage and hide in the forests. Bheema kills a demon called Hidimba and sports with his sister Hidimbi. He gets a son called Ghatotkacha. Leaving Hidimbi and Ghatotkacha, Kunti and her sons move on.

CHAPTER 16

Ekachakra. That was our next sojourn in our long journey. It was a small hamlet in the Birbhum District of modern-day West Bengal. Our stay at Varanavata, a town north-west of Rishikesh, was far away from Hastinapur and on the peripheries of the sprawling Kuru Kingdom. We knew it was a kind of unspoken banishment that we couldn't say 'no' to. After staying here for a year, we had left the burning palace one dark night, travelled South, crossed Ganges and passed through dense jungles and even lived in a Rakshasa territory.

By now, our weary feet and weary minds felt rested. The birth of Ghatotkacha renewed our hopes. The venerable Vyasa's benedictions, prophecies and guidance filled me with a sense of awe and purpose traversing Fate's roadways, where the final destination was known, but the path leading to it was always a revelation of God's invisible hands.

At Ekachakra, we dressed ourselves as ascetics and lived in a kind Brahmana's house. Every day, my sons would go begging and bring back alms. Whatever food was collected, I'd give half of it to Bheema and then share the rest amongst the others. Even then, the food was woefully inadequate for the voracious Bheema, and it pained me immensely.

One day, just as my sons set out on their morning bhiksha, there arose a loud wailing from the inner rooms of the Brahmana.

"I knew this day would come eventually. You didn't want to leave this wretched place, saying this was where you were born. I'm not worried about dying at the hands of the evil asura; but what would happen to you and our dear children? " the Brahmana was lamenting loudly to his wife.

The wife stopped her husband, "No, my lord, it’s going to be me. How can I leave you to die? A widowed woman dependent on others is as good as dead. Please take care of our children after I'm gone."

Their teenaged daughter hugged them. "Is there a doubt who should be spared for this? Who better than me? A girl without the protective arms of her parents is constantly living a life of peril. Both of you should live long and take care of my little brother who is sorely in need of protection."  Hearing this, the Brahmana cried some more. "What's life without the loved ones?" Hearing everybody cry, the Brahmana's little son picked up a little stone and said bravely, "Don't cry father, and don't cry mother. I will slay the asura with this stone," and made a mock show of hurling it at an imaginary object. Every body broke into laughter, temporarily forgetting their distress.

I intervened now. "What is the matter," I asked solicitously. I was told an asura king called Vaka living on the outskirts of the town had held them at ransom, threatening to exterminate them, and the people had bought peace with promises of each family sending a cartload of rice, two bullocks, and one member who drove the meal cart to the asura.  It was the turn of the Brahmana's family now. It was a loving family and each of them vied with the other in offering their own  life to protect others.

I didn't have to think twice. I told them to get ready the food that my second son would take to the demon.

I could see Yudhishtra was ill at ease. He motioned me out and said Vakasura was unassailable, and his death at Bheema's hands would bring the spotlight on us.

We'd be discovered. Our hideout would become known.

I didn't flinch. It was our kshatriya dharma to protect the weak. Besides, the Brahmana had given us shelter, and it was an opportunity for us to repay his kindness.

The Brahmana was a pious man, and at first, he wouldn't hear of a guest, that too an ascetic Brahmana, to be sacrificed. I explained that Bheema was an expert at all kinds of martial arts and would easily overpower the Rakshasa.

At length, I could convince the Brahmana. I didn't forget to add the enjoinder that he was not to disclose the identity of Bheema.

Bheema was delighted that after months of near starvation diet, he would get one wholesome meal. He drooled over the food-laden cart as he drove the bullock cart to the forest where the demon lived in a cave.

After reaching the cave, Bheema turned his back on the waiting demon, and started eating the pile of food with great relish. Vakasura could not believe his eyes. A mere human defying his might! He rushed towards Bheema with an uprooted tree.

Bheema’s eyes gleamed as he licked the luscious and delectable dishes. Without turning back, he warded the asura’s attack by snatching the tree with his left hand and hurling it back at the asura. It was annoying that he wasn’t allowed to drink the liquor in peace. He snorted in between mouthfuls at the juvenile attempts of the asura and kept him at bay until he ate the bullocks and emitted a satisfied burp at the end.

Langurously, he got up and began a ferocious row with Vaka. It wasn’t long before he broke the asura’s backbone by dashing him against his rock-like thighs. The asura howled in pain, vomited blood and passed out.

Bheema dragged the lifeless body of the asura to the main gate of Ekachakra and sneaked home unseen by anybody.

The next morning, the citizens of Ekachakra were treated to the sight of a dead demon, who had terrorized them for over a year,.sprawled on the ground. They rushed to the Brahmana’s house to find out who had killed him. The Brahmana was evasive, and said a certain high-souled person well versed in the use of mantra had offered to take the food, seeing their distraught condition. The people didn’t question any further; instead they held great festivities in honor of the unkown person who had saved their lives.

We continued staying at the Brahmana’s house for some more time. Then one day, we had a new guest – a learned Brahmin, who had travelled far and near. He had many interesting tales to tell.

He told us the most fascinating news – the emergence of Draupadi and Dhrishtadhyumna from the sacrificial fire of Drupada, the king of Panchala, whom Drona had defeated with Arjuna’s help earlier. That’s a long story I will narrate tomorrow. I’m tired right now. 

 

... to be continued