Reading Notes, Kincaid's Mahabharata, Part B: Hidimva and Vaka

Hidimvi (also known as Hidimba) talking to Kunti

(Source: Wikipedia Commons)

Hidimva and Vaka

After Bhima set the house on fire, he and his brothers and Kunti ran through the woods until they reached the Ganges. They got into a boat and disguised themselves as brahmans until they got back onto the lands and through the forest that it was right next to. Kunti was getting very tired one this journey so Bhima carried her on his back until they got to a spot where he could place her under a tree. She told Bhima that she needed water so Bhima went to go look for some in the woods. He came across a beautiful lake of water and filled a jar of water from it and took it back to Kunti. He came back to Kunti and his brothers sleeping under the tree so he let them sleep while he watched over them because he knew he was in the lands of the monster named Hidimva.

Hidimva knew that Kunti and the brothers were in his territory so he sent his sister, Hidimvi to go find and slay them. After searching for hours, Hidimvi found them under the tree and saw Bhima and she could not believe how handsome he was. She forgot about her brother's wish and changed into the form of a beautiful human girl and approached Bhima. They began to talk and Hidimvi told Bhima that he and his brothers had to flee from Hidimva's kingdom or he would kill them. Bhima laughed and said "I fear no man or monster. If your brother comes to eat me for dinner, he will remain hungry." Out of nowhere, they heard a roar. It was Hidimva looking for his sister that was taking too long. "Hidimvi, I set you to kill them and you're telling them to flee? TRAITOR! I will kill you!" Hidimva lunged for his sister and Bhima jumped in front of her and wrestled him and ultimately strangled him to death."

"My hero!", Hidimvi exclaimed. "You have saved my life. I have never met a man like you and I never will again. Please marry me!", she begged Bhima. Bhima looked to Kunti and she said, "She loves you and she risked her life to save us from Hidimva. Marry her if you wish." Bhima and Hidimvi got married and went to go live in the luxury of her late brother's palace until Bhima felt like he had to return back to his brothers.

Source: The Indian heroes / by C.A. Kincaid. Kincaid, C. A. (Charles Augustus), 1870-1954. Hidimva and Baka. Page 50.