The Fight Between Bhima and Kimira

There are many stories from the Mahabharata, a Hindu scripture that tells of a great war between two groups of cousins. The Pandavas were forced to live in the forest for twelve years while building their armies. In the thirteenth year of exile, they fought back against the Kauravas in an epic battle known as the Kurukshetra War. In the Mahabharata, Bhima fought many battles with his brothers and cousins to seek revenge against their enemies. One battle, in particular, stands out: the fight against the demon Kimira. Kimira was a friend of the demon Hidimba and the brother of Bakasura. Both of whom Bhima killed, and Kimira wanted to kill Bhima as revenge.

Summary of the Bhima and Kimira Story

When Kauravas invited Pandavas for a dice game, they planned to take all their possessions. Yudhishthira being overconfident played again and again and in the end, the Pandavas lost the game of dice to Duryodhana and lost all their possessions. They were sent into exile for twelve years.

One day they were travelling through a forest when Kimira, a terrible demon, carrying a burning torch in his hand, stopped them. He roared and asked: "Who are you? This is my territory and you cannot stay here." Yudhisthira introduced himself as well as Bhima who was with him at the time and said they only wanted to pass through on their way eastward.

Being angry, Kimira retorted: "Bhima killed Bakasura and Hidimb, two of my closest friends. He has shamed us by marrying the demoness Hidimba." Thus declaring his intention, Kimira attacked Bhima. But Bhima fought back fiercely. Bhima uprooted a tree and used it to bludgeon Kimira. He did not stop beating the demon until he was sure his enemy was dead.

Bheem fighting Kimira

Moral of the Bhima and Kimira Story

The story of a fight between Bhima and Kimira, is one of the epic battles of the Mahabharata. This story talks about the fight between Bhima and Kimiara and how Bhima defeated Kimira. This story can teach children Bhima’s historical significance in the Mahabharata and how essential he was to get back their lost kingdom. This story also helps kids understand that one should always measure the power of the opposite party before going to the field to fight. Otherwise, the end result looks a lot like Kimira.

Note to the Parents

This story about a deadly fight between Kimira and Bhima is worth a read to the kids because it helps kids to understand a lot of unknown facts about the Mahabharata. This story also gives kids an idea about who Bhima is and how powerful he is. The repeated reading of this story can help children realise that one should never think of themselves as the most powerful and engage in fighting without measuring the other party's strength.