Jaṭāsura

Jaṭāsura was a rākshasa of great power and cunning. He took the form of a brāhmaṇa and entered the camp of the Pāṇḍavas on Gandhamādana, during their forest exile. This is told in the Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 157. He watched them for a time. When Bhīma was away hunting, he showed his true form and seized Yudhishṭhira, Draupadī, Nakula and Sahadeva, with their weapons. Bhīma tracked him down and killed him in a fierce fight.

How he entered the camp

Jaṭāsura had heard that the Pāṇḍavas were on Gandhamādana. He knew that they were open to attack while Arjuna was away and they had no archer as strong as he. He made a plan. He took the form of a brāhmaṇa, old and harmless to look at, with the marks of an ascetic. He came to the camp of the Pāṇḍavas. The Pāṇḍavas followed dharma, and they welcomed him as they welcomed every brāhmaṇa. He was let into their household.

The seizure

Jaṭāsura lived among them for a time and watched their habits, especially when Bhīma was away from the camp. When the right moment came, with Bhīma out hunting, he threw off his disguise. In his true rākshasa form he seized Yudhishṭhira, Draupadī, Nakula and Sahadeva together. He also gathered up their bows and weapons.

Sahadeva got free and ran to find Bhīma. Yudhishṭhira could not fight with his body. He used the power of his tapas (austerity) and his righteousness to make himself very heavy, and this slowed the flight of Jaṭāsura.

His death

Bhīma came back and gave chase. He caught Jaṭāsura with the captives. The battle was fierce. At first they fought with uprooted trees, and then with bare hands and feet. Bhīma overpowered the rākshasa and killed him by cutting off his head.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 157