The Birth of Bhima (Mahabharata Series 20)

The Birth of Bhima

Pandu was delighted to receive Yudhishthira as his son, a child born from the grace of Lord Dharma. Because of this divine origin and his unwavering adherence to righteousness, Yudhishthira became renowned as Dharmaraya. Yet Pandu knew well: Dharma cannot stand firmly without strength. Without power, righteousness remains vulnerable. Therefore, Pandu reasoned that a mighty son was needed, one who would become the strong support to the righteous Yudhishthira.

Turning to Kunti, Pandu said: “Dear one, a Kshatriya must possess immense strength. For Kshatriyas, true honor and superiority arise from power. Now that a son of supreme righteousness has been born to us, you must, through the sacred mantra, invite a deity who can grant us a son excelling in strength. Through him, Dharma will remain protected and stable.”

Pandu also explained which deity must be invoked to gain such a powerful son—Vayu Deva, the Lord of Wind, the mightiest among the Sapta Maruts, praised as the embodiment of strength by sages and gods alike.

Agreeing with Pandu’s words, Kunti purified herself, sat in a serene posture, and chanted Durvasa’s divine mantra with deep devotion, invoking Vayu Deva.

Immediately, Vayu Deva appeared before her and asked, “Kunti, what shall I bless you with?”

With reverence, Kunti bowed and prayed: “Grant me a son of immense strength and great stature—one capable of humbling all the mighty warriors in the world.”

Vayu Deva blessed her, granting a son of extraordinary might—Bhima, famed later as Bhimasena. Bhima was born on Shravana Krishna Trayodashi under the Magha constellation. At the moment of his birth, a celestial voice proclaimed: “The strongest among the strong has taken birth!”

The Miracle at Bhima’s Birth

Right after his birth, a remarkable event occurred.

Kunti was holding the newborn in her lap when suddenly a tiger roared nearby. Startled, she stood up in fear, forgetting that the baby lay on her lap. The infant slipped and fell on a massive rock.

A thunderous sound echoed. The tiger fled in fear.

Pandu, Kunti and the sages rushed forward, terrified of what might have happened to the newborn. But what they witnessed left them astonished—

the baby lay there laughing joyfully, completely unharmed.

The rock upon which he had fallen was shattered into pieces, yet the child bore not even a scratch. Everyone stood speechless, rubbing their eyes in disbelief. Kunti, overwhelmed with emotion, lifted the child with tears of joy.

This divine miracle revealed the extraordinary strength of the infant.

Bhima was born on the same day as Duryodhana in Hastinapura.

Desire for a Perfect Heir

Having received a son of supreme righteousness and another of unmatched strength, Pandu now longed for a son in whom both qualities—wisdom and valor—would unite. Such a son, he felt, would make him truly blessed.

Pandu decided that only Indra, the king of the gods—mighty, radiant, and unconquerable—could grant such a son. Though Kunti could invoke any deity with her mantra, Pandu believed that a son granted with Indra’s full affection and benevolence would be perfect and complete in every virtue.

Pandu therefore undertook intense austerities to please Indra, instructing Kunti to observe vows with utmost discipline for a full year. Both of them engaged in deep penance with unwavering devotion.

Moved by Pandu’s fierce austerity, Indra appeared before him and said:

“O King Pandu, I shall grant you the son you desire—one who shall become celebrated across all three worlds. He will ever be the guardian of the righteous and the destroyer of evil.”

Blessing him thus, Indra vanished, leaving Pandu filled with tears of joy and gratitude.