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Question
Read the given source and answer the questions that follow:
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A Tiger-like Husband This is a summary of a story from the Adi Parvan of the Mahabharata: The Pandavas had fled into the forest. They were tired and fell asleep; only Bhima, the second Pandava, renowned for his prowess, was keeping watch. A man-eating rakshasa caught the scent of the Pandavas and sent his sister Hidimba to capture them. She fell in love with Bhima, transformed herself into a lovely maiden and proposed to him. He refused. Meanwhile, the rakshasa arrived and challenged Bhima to a wrestling match. Bhima accepted the challenge and killed him. The others woke up hearing the noise. Hidimba introduced herself, and declared her love for Bhima. She told Kunti: "I have forsaken my friends, my dharma and my kin; and A good lady, chosen your tiger-like son for my man ... whether you think me a fool, or your devoted servant, let me join you, great lady, with your son as my husband." Ultimately, Yudhisthira agreed to the marriage on condition that they would spend the day together but that Bhima would return every night. The couple roamed all over the world during the day. In due course Hidimba gave birth to a rakshasa boy named Ghatotkacha. Then the mother and son left the Pandavas. Ghatotkacha promised to return to the Pandavas whenever they needed him. |
- How was Hidimba's culture different from Pandavas?
- Why did Kunti approve Hidimba's plea from Bhima?
- How did this incident prove Kunti's far sightedness?
Solution
- While Pandavas were humans, Hidimba belonged to Rakshasa clan. She used to eat human flesh.
- Hidimba told Kunti that she loved Bhima and had abandoned her friends, her dharma, and her family for him and that Kunti had agreed to Hidimba's request for Bhima.
- Kunti agreed to the marriage because she was aware of the need for allies against Kauravas. In fact, she used Hidimba as a tool to provide them with a powerful son to be used in war against Kauravas. Thus, this incident proved her for sightedness.
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