The Pandavas travelled south after they crossed then Ganga river until they arrived at Siddhavata. Faced with acute tiredness,thirst and hunger,Bhima the strong one carried them all on his shoulders.They eventually rested under a tree while Bhima went in search of water.

He came upon a beautiful lake where he took a bath and drank of it's cool water.Then he collected some lotus leaves and made a cup out off it which he used to take water to his mother and his brothers. Refreshed by the cool water,they fell asleep while he kept guard.

Now in this forest there was a rakashasa or a demon whose name was Hidimba.The forest was named after him and was called Hidimbavana.Now this Hidimba character had a sister whose name was Hidimbi.They were both cannibals and smelling the flesh of humans who were nearby,the Pandavas,Hidimba sent his sister to kill them.

When she got to the place where the Pandavas were,she saw them sleeping and she also saw Bhima standing guard.Hidimbi was captivated by the appearance of Bhima.She immediately fell in love with him and forgot the mission her brother had sent her on.

Transforming herself into the form of a beautiful woman,she approached Bhima.Bhima was very surprised to see such a beautiful woman in the forest so he asked her who she was.She replied to him that she is the sister of the terrible rakashasa Hidimba and she told him that her brother and herself were cannibals.

She continued that she was sent to kill them but when she saw how handsome he is she fell in love with him at first sight.Then she asked him to marry her and become her husband.

Bhima pointed to Kunti and his brothers sleeping there and said to Hidimbi that "this is my mother and that is my elder brother sleeping there.The others are my younger brothers.I cannot marry you at this time".

Listening from the nearby bushes her brother Hidimba rushed forth and started to fight with Bhima.With all the comotion Kunti and the others woke up from their sleep and found Bhima fighting with the rakashasa and a beautiful woman looking on.

Kunti asked her who she was and she told her everything including her love for Bhima.After a while Bhima managed to kill Hidimba.Then Yudhishtira suggested that they move to a nearby city.On the journey, Hidimbi followed them and begged of Kunti to allow her to marry Bhima.

Kunti and the others listened to her and understood that her intentions were good and Bhima also showed signs of love for her so then Kunti agreed to marry Bhima to Hidimbi.

Pandit Bhadase Maharaj.

©Copyrighted