An Ode to Bhimasena..
Note: This was a tweet thread that I used to have on Twitter. Someone had been kind enough to convert it into a compilation using the threader app, which I came across just today. I have directly copied content from there and created a post. So, pardon the lack of full sentences, grammatical liberties taken and lack of formatting. But, do read.
Since Aryas @blog_supplement and @pranasutra got some discussion on Bhimasena going, here is a little thread on S L Bhyrappa’s treatment of Bhimasena in his ‘Parva’. Speaking from memory, so, if there are misrepresentations, they are entirely mine & not SLB’s.
Bhima is uncomplicated & simple. But not a simpleton, mind you.
His policy: see it, call it like it is without mincing words & do whatever it takes to protect dharma. No questions asked. No punches pulled.
Reminds of Sehwag’s batting style in his pomp. See ball, hit ball.
While Bhima has circumstances simple & sorted, it doesn’t mean he’s a simple character.
A complex personality, in fact a bundle of multiple seemingly contradictory qualities.
Capable of tremendous love and sacrifice. At the same time, there’s a sort of cool detachment about him.
Bhima often grasps the very core of dharma, perhaps because he doesn’t over-intellectualise situations. He is practically a law unto himself & doesn’t care much about obsolete norms, especially those that Yudhishthira seems to love, much to the chagrin of Bhima.
While openly & extremely disdainful of what he sees as Yudhishthira’s cowardice, he accepts consequences of having to toe his brother’s line. He grumbles about his brother’s liberal attitude towards enemies that brings them only misery, but he devotes his whole being to family.
Bhimasena’s impatience with vacillation in the face of ruthless enemies is something the discerning should learn.
He also recognises perversions such as ‘not doing anything’ in the name of Dharma & criticises it in the severest of terms. He once chides Arjuna and Yudhishthira that cowardice always comes in the garb of some noble and lofty ideal.
Bhimasena’s ‘always raring to take the attack to the other side’ attitude comes from his tremendous strength. Can’t have the former without the latter.
First, strength. Then, the will to use it.
The will to use strength is harder to build than strength itself. Bhima has it.
Reminds me what Boycott once said of Holding.
Terrifying part of Holding wasn’t just that he was the fastest ever. But that he seemed like he bowled within himself. As in, Holding could bowl much faster & hurt you if he wants.
Bhima’s enemies had the same fear — Bhima can do far worse to me than I can imagine.
The fear Bhima evokes isn’t unjustified. A force of nature — he’s primal & ruthless.
Like a nuke — nothing stands in his way.
When he rips Dusshasana open & drinks his blood, Kuru soldiers are paralysed.
Most simply do what one does when faced with a rampaging elephant — flee.
This terrifying facet of Bhima, where he rips Dusshasana open & drinks his blood makes Kuru soldiers run saying, “Bhima is not human. He’s a rakshasa. No point in fighting people like this!”
Again, shows importance of literally delivering upon the fear one puts in enemies. Bhima’s threats were never just threats.
The most beautiful part of Parva is how Draupadi falls deeper & deeper in love with Bhima.
Bhyrappa shows them as people in their 50s or 60s. But she can’t help but love Bhima more & more everyday.
As she ages, she begins to see him for what he really is — strong, selfless.
Why does Draupadi fall so deeply in love with Bhima?
She curses herself that she went behind Arjuna’s charms as a younger woman rather than discover Bhima’s stoic & generous character.
She reminisces that it is Bhima who always stood up for her without questions or reluctance.
She realises, when vile things were done to Draupadi by Kauravas, it is Bhima who explodes, not others.
Only he vows to avenge what happened to her & he would fulfil.
He wasn’t interested in kingdom or power. He wanted pure retribution.
For him, it was about her & only her.
Whenever Draupadi was in trouble, like in the Keechaka episode too, whenever it was a question of her honour, she knew Bhima was the only one who could be trusted to fight for her.
No wonder then that she begins to love him & like his simple company more and more.
What’s more. For all Bhima’s love for Draupadi, he never expected anything extraordinary from her.
In contrast, she feels Arjuna was more in love with the fact his charm was irresisitible, he loved the fact that Draupadi was in love with him, than loving Draupadi for what she was
From love, let us go to war.
In the Great War, it’s Bhima who slays most Kauravas & whole akshauhinis of soldiers.
His encounter with Karna shows the difference in character between himself & Karna — shows Karna who’s boss, shames both with weapons & words.
What a hero!
After thulping Karna in archery, Bhima loses upperhand for a while. Karna taunts.
“Come for hand to hand combat like a man, let me teach you lessons” says Bhima.
Karna knows better than to indulge.
Bhima, a traditionalist, loves old style & despises contemporary weapon obsession
Bhima gives up his own son Ghatotkacha willingly, just so that Arjuna’s personal vow to beat Karna is fulfilled.
Even the rough love between Bhima and Hidimba, and Ghatotkacha’s heroism & sacrifice, is typical of Bhima. Ghatotkacha in many ways is a chip off the old block.
Bhima knew Dharma & acted upon it.
Knew strength is the root of Dharma.
Knew civilisation is only a veneer, a means, not an end.
Fulfilled vows, avenged wrongs, loved his people, faced adversity with guts.
Killed the two vilest people.
Greatest hero of the war after Shri Krishna.
