The Pandavas were living in exile from the Kingdom of Hastinapura. One night, while they lay sleeping, a Rakasa (demon) named Hidimba told his sister (also named Hidimba) to kill the princes and feast on their flesh. However, before doing so, she saw Bhima and fell in love with him, and spared their lives. Angered by this, the brother Hidimba tried to kill Bhima, but the prince was too strong, and he killed his attacker.
Then Bhima married the sister Hidimba, and she had a son named Ghatotkaca, who (though he was bald) proved to be a mighty warrior and ally of the Pandavas. Indeed, Ghatotkaca would prove to be a powerful ally to the Pandavas in the coming Kurukshetra War. Eventaully, Bhima and Hidimba parted ways, but Ghatotkaca promised that he would always be there to help the Pandavas when they needed his help.
 |
| Left to right: Hidimba, Bhima, and Ghatotkaca. |
