1) General. Ghatotkaca, son of Bhimasena played a very important part in the story of Mahabharata. He was, from his very birth, a staunch friend and ally of the Pandavas. He courted a hero’s death in the great war.
2) Birth. On the burning of the `lac Palace’ the Pandavas escaped through a tunnel and reached a forest. While they were sleeping on the ground, Hidirhba the Raksasa chief in the forest saw the Pandavas from the top of a tree, and he deputed his sister Hidimbi to bring over the Pandavas to him for food.
Hidrrhb! approached the Pandavas in the guise of a beautiful woman. She was attracted towards Bhima and she prayed for the return of his love, which Bhima refused. Impatient at the delay Hidirhba rushed towards the Pandavas, and in the duel that ensued between him and Bhima, he was killed by Bhima.
Then Hidirhbi approached Kunti and requested her to ask Bhhna to marry her. The Patidavas agreed to the proposal on condition that Bhima and Hidiriibi should enjoy their honeymoon in the forest and on mountains, but Bhima should return to them at dusk everyday. Ghatotkaca was the son born to Bhima and Hidrmbi, (Adi Parva, Chapter 155) .
Indra bestowed on Ghatotkaca prowess enough. to be a suitable opponent to Karna. (Adi Parva, Chapter 155, Verse 47).
Ghatotkaca grew up to become a good friend of the Pandavas. When Hidimbi and Ghatotkaca took leave of them Kunti said to 6hatotkaca : “You are the eldest son to the Pandavas. You should be ever a support to them.” To this Ghatotkaca answered that he would return to them whenever any need arose for it.
3) Carried the Pandaaas on shoulders. During their exile in the forest the ~andavas became too tired to walk any further when Bhima remembered Ghatotkaca, who promptly appeared before the Pandavas, and at the instance of Bhima got down a number of Raksasas also. Ghatotkaca carrying Paficali on -his shoulders, and theRaksasas carrying the Pandava brothers on their shoulders went by air to Badarikasrama where Naranarayanas were doing tapas, 1anded them there, and then they (Ghatotkaca and his companions) took leave of the Pandavas. (Vana Parva, Chapter 145).
4) Ghatotkaca in the ,great war. (1) In the first day’s fighting he fought against Alambusa, Duryodhana and Bhagadatta. Frightened at the terrible course of the fight the Kauravas purposely postponed that day’s fighting. (Bhisma Parva, Chapters, 45, 57, 58).
(2) He defeated the King of Vahga and killed his elephant. (Bhisma Parva, Chapter 92, Verse 36) .
(3) Defeated Vikarna. (Bhisma Parva, Chapter 29, Verse 36).
(4) On receiving blows from the great Kaurava heroes, Ghatotkaca rose up to the sky. (Bhisma Parva, Chapter 93, Verse 6).
(5) Ghatotkaca made the Kaurava army take to their heels by the exercise of his magic powers. (Bhisma Parva, Chapter 94, Verses 41-47) ,
(6) Fought a duel with Durmukha. (Bhisma Parva, Chapter 110, Verse 13) .
(7) Dhrtarastra praised the prowess of Ghatotkaca. (Drona Parva, Chapter 10, Verse 62) .
(8) He fought with Alayudha. (Drona Parva, Chapter 96, Verse 27) .
(9) Killed Alambusa. (Drona Parva, Chapter 109, Verse 28) .
(10) Asvatthama, son of Drona killed Afijana Parva, son of Ghatotkaca, (Drona Parva, Chapter 156, Verse 56).
(11) Ghatotkaca fought with Kama. (Drona Parva, Chapter 175).
(12) He fought with Jatasura. (Drona Parva, Chapter 174).
(13) He ki1led Alayudha. (Drona Parva, Chapter 178, Verse 31).
(14) Karna clashed with Ghatotkaca and failing to kill him by any means he (Karna) used Vaijayanti Sakti as the last resort. This Sakti had been given to him by Indra in exchange for his head-gear and earrings, and Kama had been keeping the Sakti in reserve to kill Arjuna. At any rate Kama used it against Ghatotkaca and he was killed. After killing Ghatotkaca the Sakti entered the sphere of the stars. (Drones Parva, Chapter 180).
5) Other information. (1) Ghatotkaca hated the Brahmins and their yajnas. (Drones Parva, Chapter 181, Verse 27).
(2) When the souls of the heroes killed in the great war were called upon the banks of Ganges by Vyasa, Ghatotkaca’s soul too had appeared. (Asramavasika Parva, Chapter 32, Verse 8) .
(3) After death he lived with Yaksadevas. (Svargarohana Parva, Chapter 5, Verse 37) .
6) Synonyms of Ghatotkaca used in 16-Tahabharata. Bhaimaseni, Bhaimi, Bhimasenasuta, Bhimasenatmaja, Bhimasunu, Bhimasuta, Haidimba, Haidimbi, Raksasa, Raksasadhipa, Raksasapungava, Raksasesvara and Raksasendra.
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