The Pandava brothers are the protagonists of the Mahabharata, the second of the two major Hindu epics.
When Bhima's mother, Kunti, uses a strong mantra (holy sound) to have a son by Vayu, the wind deity, Bhima is born.
Bhima is the biggest and strongest of the Pandavas, and his preferred weapon is the club, which demands tremendous physical power.
- Because Bhima can constantly rely on his greater ability to outdo his relatives throughout their teenage training, this strength is one of the causes of animosity between the Pandavas and the Kauravas (the Pandavas' cousins).
- His wild and earthy character may be shown in his unusual food intake and in his relationship with the rakshasi (female demon) Hidambi, with whom he bears a son, Ghatotkacha.
Bhima is known for his impressive feats of strength.
- In many instances, this entails hand-to-hand battle with demons, such as Bakasur or Hidamba; nevertheless, Bhima is also a key character in the Mahabharata war, when he uses his club to slaughter large groups of the Kaurava army.
- Bhima is completely loyal to his brothers and their common bride, Draupadi, despite his strength and odd tastes, which make him a caricature.
Bhima is the one she goes to when her honor is under jeopardy.
- When Draupadi is harassed by Kichaka during the Pandavas' year of invisibility in King Virata's court, Bhima disguises himself as Draupadi, meets Kichaka, and kills him.
- After Bhima's brother Yudhishthira loses an important dice game, he swears to murder the two Kaurava brothers, Duhshasana and Duryodhana, for their conduct with Draupadi.
- Duryodhana bares his thigh (a euphemism for the genitals) toward Draupadi and orders her to sit on his lap, dragging her into the hall by her hair, her clothes soiled with menstrual blood.
- Bhima promises to tear open Duhshasana's chest so that Draupadi may wash her hair in his blood and crush Duryodhana's thigh with his club to revenge these insults.
- Despite the fact that it takes him thirteen years to fulfill his vows, he eventually avenges Draupadi's honor.
- Bhima assists his brother Yudhishthira in becoming king after the Mahabharata battle.
After Yudhishthira abdicates the kingdom, Bhima embarks on a long trip to the Himalayas with him and their other brothers, where Bhima dies of exposure.
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