The Pandavas stayed in the city of Ekachakra disguised as brahmins. They would beg for food on the streets and would then bring it to their mother Kunti.She would then divide the food into two shares.One share was for Bhima who had a very big appetite,being born of Vayu the wind God and all that.The other half was shared by his other brothers and herself.

Bhima was not getting much food in Ekachakra and so he was getting very thin.He made friends with a potter and would carry clay for him to make his pottery.As payment the potter gave him a huge clay pot which was used to collect food .The size of the pot brought much excitement amongst the many people who saw it.

One day his other brothers went out to beg for alms and he stayed at home with his mother.There was loud weeping and wailing coming from their landlord's house.Kunti went in to investigate what was happening.

Kunti heard of a very sorrowful conversation taking place between her brahmana landlord and his wife.They were pondering about some calamity that was about to strike their family.They were very concerned about the two children they had,a boy and a girl and their survival in the world should they become orphans.

Confused by the conversation and all that was going on there,Kunti decided to ask them what the problem was and if she could be of any help.The brahmana replied that the problem was so complex that Kunti will be unable to solve.

He then told her the details about a rakashasa named Bakasura who captured the city years ago and since then he has been terrorising the inhabitants.Overcome by fear the ruler of that nation and kingdom fled to the city of Vetrakiya so there is no one to protect the citizens.

He continued that,”Bakasura comes out from his cave and would kill men, women and children and would feast on them.The villagers tried to make a deal with him that they would provide food and wine for him only if he would leave them alone.They would send him food drawn by two bullocks and driven by a human being,and he can eat it all,bullocks and human included.

The rakashasa agreed to the proposal and has stopped terrorising the locality since.However,now it is my turn to take the food to him.Since my family cannot survive without me,I will have to take us all for him to feast on".

Kunti was moved by the story and went and discussed it with Bhima.She later returned to the brahmana and told him that one of her sons would take the food to Bakasura.The brahmana was surprised to hear this but was hesitant to accept Kunti's son as a substitute.

Then Kunti explained to him the enormous strenght of Bhima but told the brahmana that he should tell no one.She was trying to hide their identity least news reached Duryodhana that they were still alive.

At this time Yudhishtira and his brothers returned from begging alms. Kunti told him of her intentions but he was not in favour of risking Bhima's life since so far they had relied heavily on him.Kunti reasoned with him telling him that they should help the brahmana since he has been so kind to them.

Yudhishtira reminded his mother that it was Bhima who got them out safely from the house of wax and it was also Bhima who took them on his shoulders to Siddhavata.Kunti then told Yudhishtira that a good deen must be repaid with a good deed and as such they should help the brahmana.

Yudhishtira accepted what his mother said and all preparations were made for Bhima to take the food to Bakasura.When Bhima arrived at the spot where Baka would take the food,he called out to him,”Baka,Baka”but there was no sight of him.Feeling a bit hungry and with all that food before him,Bhima started eating the food.

Suddenly,Bakasura appeared and seeing Bhima eating his food,he attacked him.A fight started and before long Bakasura was slain.Then Bhima carried his body to the gates of the city and left it there.The brahmana and his family was very happy at the outcome.

Kunti told the brahaman and his family that if anyone should ask who killed Bakasura,tell them that it was some brahmana who had learned some powerful mantras.She did not want anyone to know that her sons were the Pandavas.

Pandit Bhadase Maharaj.

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