Bhima's Pride Takes A Fall

Draupadi’s thoughts were with Arjuna, who had retreated into the forest to do penance and earn the Pasupathastra from Lord Shiva. She loved him and missed his company. But Arjuna’s going had been necessary as Krishna had advised that the Kauravas had so many proficient warriors and each of them were in possession of divine weapons, especially, Bhishma, Dhronacharya and Karna. To counter them, the Pandavas had to acquire weapons like the Pasupathastra. 

Of course, she had the company of her other four husbands, but Arjuna was special.

Suddenly a waft of sweet scent lifted towards her nostrils. A beautiful flower swiftly fell to the ground. She picked it up and breathed in the scent. A desire to possess some more such flowers rose in her heart. She called out to Bhima.

“Do you know the name of this flower?” she asked.

“This is the Saugandika flower,” answered Bhima.

“This flower is so beautiful and it smells heavenly. Can you get me some more,” she pleaded.

Draupadi knew his prowess and she knew that he would do anything for her. As soon as she mentioned that she wanted some more Saugandikas, Bhima set out in search, following the trail of the fragrance. On the way, he found an old monkey lying across his path.

“Please move a little and let me pass,” requested Bhima.

But the monkey appeared to have not heard him.

“Oh, old monkey,” he called out loudly. “Give me space to go ahead.”

The monkey shook his head in denial.

“I am too tired and aged to move,” the monkey replied. “Just lift my tail and make space for yourself.”

Bhima was furious.

“Do you know who I am?” he asked proudly. “I am Bhima, the son of Kunti. My father is Vayu, the wind God. Now will you give way for me to go ahead?”

“So what if you are the son of the Vayu? I am tired and I will not move,” replied the monkey. “If you really want to go ahead, lift my tail and go.”

Bhima went forward and tried to lift the monkey’s tail, but it would not budge. He tried with all his mighty strength but to no avail.

Covered in perspiration, he fell on his feet before the monkey and with great humility he pleaded, “ You are no ordinary monkey. Please tell me who you are, please!”

The monkey got up and gently lifted Bhima. “I am also the son of the wind God, Vayuputra Hanuman,” he said. “So I am your brother.”

Bhima looked up in admiration. “Hanuman, the great Hanuman, who took that giant leap over the sea to Lanka in search of Mata Sita!”

“Yes,” replied Hanuman clasping his younger brother in a warm embrace. “I came to quell your pride and warn you that the path ahead is not easy.”

“I will be there on Arjun’s flag to help you all to victory in the forthcoming battle for Dharma.”

With folded hands, Bhima requested Hanuman to show his Vishwaroop, the mammoth form he had taken to cross Lanka as well as to carry the Sanjivani mountain.

Hanuman acceded to his request and assumed his true form. He then blessed his brother and showed him the path to collect the Saugandika flowers for Draupadi.