Hidimbi

Hidimbi
Mahabharata character
Hidimbi in human form
Information
Spouse(s)	Bhima
Children	Ghatotkacha

Hidimbi (a.k.a. Bhutandevi) is the wife of the Pandava Bhima and mother of Ghatotkacha in the Mahābhārata. She meets Bhima in the 18th sub-parva of the Adi Parva. Hidimba is also referred to as Pallavi.

The story began after the Pandavas escaped from the Lakshagraha and reached a dense forest. Tired and exhausted, they all fell asleep at night except Bhima who kept a watch. In the same forest lived Hidimbi along with her Rakshasa brother Hidimba who was a very powerful rakshasa. He smelled the Pandavas resting at a distance and as usual asked Hidimbi to lure the well-built Bhima into getting eaten. Hidimbi confronted Bhima and instead fell in love with him. She assumed the form of a very beautiful lady, approached Bhima and expressed her desire to marry him. She also revealed her true identity and her brother's intentions. Bhima refused to accept her as his wife and confronted Hidimba. A great fight took place which resulted in Hidimba getting killed.

After killing Hidimba, Bhima wanted to kill Hidimbi too as he thought that she might want to avenge her brother's death. Yudhishthira stopped Bhima from committing such a deed. Hidimbi then begged Kunti to allow Bhima to marry her as she was deeply in love with him and also because she was all alone now. Kunti ordered Bhima to marry Hidimbi. Bhima agreed on the condition that he could leave her once she bore a child with him. Hidimbi agreed and they got married. Within a year, Hidimbi gave birth to a son. They named him Ghatotkacha as his head resembled a pot. Ghatotkacha went on to become a great warrior and an important figure in the Mahabharata war.

Madhyamavyayoga or Madhyama Vyāyoga (Hindi: मध्यमव्याbयोग), (English: The Middle One) is a great Sanskrit play attributed to Bhāsa. The story is about the reunion of Bhima and Ghatokach as father and son that takes place under the pretext of Hidimba's desire for human flesh. While the characters in this tale are taken from the Mahabharata, this particular incidence is solely a product of Bhasa.