HIDIMBA

Hidimba: The unacknowledged heroine of Mahbaharta
Hidimba makes her entry in Mahabharata in the ‘Adiparva’, the first book of the Mahabharata. She belongs to the
tribe who were termed as ‘Rakshasa’. The tribe was probably cannibal and was despised by the Aryans. She is
accompanied by her brother Hidimb who wants to kill the Pandavas and eat their flesh. She was sent by her
brother to kill the Pandavas and their mother Kunti who were moving from place to place in the forest after
escaping the attempt of Duryodhana to kill them.
'Mata Hidimba' is an exemplary feminist that resurrects the image of motherhood from the Mahabharata.
Focusing on Hidimba, Bhima's wife largely invisible in the Mahabharata, it focuses on issues of motherhood
intertwined with race, caste and religion affording a terrain for the overarching patriarchal power play.
It is absolutely clear that Kunti as a far-sighted statesperson, uses Hidimba as a tool to provide them with a
powerful son to be used in war against Kauravas. The epic shows how right and prophetic Kunti had proved to be.
Ghatotkacha, the fruit of this union, proves to be very useful for them during the exile, and later as Arjuna’s savior
from Karna’s infallible weapon at the cost of his own life. Moreover, Kunti was aware of her precarious position.
She was fugitive along with her children escaping from the assassination bid and was badly in need of shelter and
comfort.
What happens to Hidimba? She is left in the forest all by herself. With no male relative to look after her and carrying
Bhima’s child in her womb, the proud Hidimba does not cry and plead. She accepts her fate. Depicted to be a pure
and unadulterated person without having any ambitious dreams except a pure love for Bhima, this forest girl is
just the opposite of Draupadi who knows how to have her own way.
Her dignity is worth praising as without a drop of tear or piteous entreaties, she accepts her fate. No repentance,
not even any emotional blackmail on account of the son that she carried in her womb with no male relations to
take care of, she like an independent woman presents a true picture of dignified womanhood
But could Kunti not be a little sympathetic? Was it because Hidimba came from a different culture? The only thing
that she could give them was her only son, Ghatotkacha, to be sacrificed in the Mahabharata war. Ironically
Ghatotkacha, the eldest of all Pandava progeny is used as a prey in the war and his proud and brave mother sends
him to the war without ever complaining of the injustice having been meted down upon her.