Baka

Baka was a powerful rākshasa who lived in a forest near the town of Ekacakrā. He ruled the town by fear. The townspeople had to send him a cartload of food, and the man who drove the cart, again and again. In return, Baka gave them what he called “protection”.

The Pāṇḍavas were living in hiding in Ekacakrā when this happened. Kuntī sent her son Bhīma to face Baka. Bhīma ate the food himself, fought Baka and killed him. This freed Ekacakrā from its long suffering.

The tribute

Baka had put the town of Ekacakrā under a rule of terror. At fixed times the townspeople sent a cart to his forest. It carried rice, meat, liquor and two buffaloes. The man or brahmin who drove the cart went with it, and Baka ate him as his meal.

In return for this tribute, Baka did not raid or destroy the town. The townspeople put up with it as a necessary evil. Each household took its turn to give the tribute. Everyone dreaded it.

Bhīma’s arrival

The turn came to the brahmin family with whom the Pāṇḍavas were staying. Kuntī stepped in. She told the family, “My son will go in your place. He is capable.” The brahmin did not want to risk his guest and refused at first. But Kuntī was firm and calm, because she knew Bhīma’s strength.

Bhīma drove the cart to Baka’s forest. He did not hand the food to Baka. He sat down and ate it himself. He ate the whole cartload of rice, meat and liquor, one dish after another. Between bites he called out to Baka and mocked him.

Baka’s death

Baka came and found his tribute being eaten by a bold brahmin, as he thought. He attacked in a violent rage. He hurled trees and struck with great force. Bhīma took every blow without flinching and struck back with equal force. The fight was fierce.

At last Bhīma seized Baka, broke his body with his knee and killed him.

Other rākshasas who followed Baka saw him die and ran away. The news went back to Ekacakrā that Baka was dead, and the town rejoiced.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva