A Critique of ‘Bhima-Lone Warrior’

My book is not to be considered a classic. I was impressed by M.T. Vasudevan’s depiction of Bhima, the second son of Kunti Devi, as he always had to take a second place to Yudhishthira, the eldest son. He could not express his doubts or feelings about matters discussed by his mother and his brother. He was only expected to be a man of action and not that of words. He was tough and resilient, so Duryodhana and his numerous brothers of the Kaurava clan hated him and wanted to kill him. They thought that by finishing off Bhima, they could then decimate the other Pandava brothers. Bhima’s strength and fast thinking outwitted them of their evil plans. It was Bhima who guided his siblings, his mother, and Draupadi through the travails of the forest in both the instances that they were forced to live there. He had to desert Hidimbi, his first love for the sake of his Kshatriya clan even after all the loving service she had given them. Later, he wanted only Arjuna, the winner of Draupadi’s Swayamvara, to marry Draupadi and not share her as a co-wife with his brothers. But he was forced to remain silent. Yudhishthira always talked of Dharma, a principle reluctantly accepted by his brothers, which only caused them much heartbreak and pain. But Bhima could say nothing. The gaming hall episode in which Yudhishthira had surrendered to his vice of gambling brought shame to his brothers and Draupadi, after which they were banished to the forest for twelve years and led another year of incognito existence. They survived due to Bhima’s capacity and support. Their return was followed by a terrible eighteen-day war on the Kurukshetra plain with their abominable cousins. Finally, it was Bhima who finished it by killing all the Kaurava princes who had insulted Draupadi in the gaming hall. Yet it is Yudhishthira who became king of Hastinapur. It evokes a sense of pity toward this great warrior who had earned nothing out of his exploits.