Kirmīra Vadha

Kirmīra Vadha is the account of Bhīmasena killing the rākshasa Kirmīra at the start of the Pāṇḍavas’ forest exile. Kirmīra was the younger brother of Baka and of Hiḍimba, both of whom Bhīma had already killed. He blocked the Pāṇḍavas’ way at midnight as they travelled to Kāmyakavana. The family priest Dhaumya broke his māyā (power of illusion), and Bhīma killed him with his bare hands.

Setting

Soon after the Pāṇḍavas left Hāstinapura and entered the forest, they were making their way toward Kāmyakavana through thick woods at night. The moon had set and the forest was completely dark. This is the kind of darkness that gives rākshasas and creatures of the night their greatest strength. At that midnight hour Kirmīra appeared in front of them and blocked their path completely.

Kirmīra’s challenge

Kirmīra was huge and terrible to see. His voice was like the roar of storm clouds, his eyes were like burning coals, and his matted hair stood on end. He named himself plainly. He was the younger brother of Baka, whom Bhīmasena had killed at Ekacakrā. He was also the brother of Hiḍimba, whom Bhīma had killed in the forest on the Pāṇḍavas’ first night of exile after Vāraṇāvata. He had waited a long time for a chance to take revenge for both brothers, and now the chance had come.

Kirmīra was a powerful rākshasa with great māyā, the power to make illusions and confuse the senses. He used these powers as he challenged Bhīma and the Pāṇḍavas.

Dhaumya’s help

The family priest Dhaumya saw what kind of attack the rākshasa was making. He performed counter-rituals to cancel the māyā. With mantras and the power of his tapas (austerity), Dhaumya broke the illusions Kirmīra was using. This left the rākshasa without his magic, able to rely only on his body’s strength.

Bhīma’s victory

Bhīma needed no weapons. He faced Kirmīra directly. He said that he knew who the rākshasa was, and that he had indeed killed Baka and Hiḍimba and felt no regret. The fight was fierce. Kirmīra was strong enough to be a real danger even without māyā. But Bhīma’s strength was the gift of Vāyu and was greater than that of any rākshasa. He seized Kirmīra and killed him in the paśumāra way. He first choked him and then broke his neck with his bare hands, as a man kills a wild beast. Kirmīra fell dead.

What followed

With Kirmīra dead, the way to Kāmyakavana was open. The Pāṇḍavas went on into the forest with no further obstacle. Bhīma had now killed Baka, Hiḍimba and Kirmīra, the three brothers.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 11