Ghatotkacha - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 19:39, 9 August 2023
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	[[File:Krishna_asking_Ghatotkacha_to_fight_Karna.jpg\|thumb\| Krishna Asking Ghatotkacha to Fight In Kurukshetra]]		[[File:Krishna_asking_Ghatotkacha_to_fight_Karna.jpg\|thumb\| Krishna Asking Ghatotkacha to Fight In Kurukshetra]]

	In the [[Mahābhārata]], Ghatotkacha was summoned by [[Bhima]] to fight on the [[Pandava]] side in the [[Kurukshetra War]]. Invoking his magical powers, he brought great havoc in the [[Kaurava]] army using his power of [[Maya (religion)\|illusion]], even scaring away warriors like Duryodhana and Karna. His son Anjanparva was brutally killed by Ashwattama. On the 14th night, Ghatotkacha comes into conflict with [[Ashwatthama]], who was attempting to rally the fleeing soldiers. After dispelling Ghatotkacha's illusion, he managed to knock the demon unconscious. After coming to his senses, Ghatotkacha became furious and fought with [[Ashwatthama]] in a long duel. During the fight, both combatants used their celestial weapons, but the mighty [[asura]] wasn't able to withstand the attack of the other and was forced to flee.		In the [[Mahābhārata]], Ghatotkacha was summoned by [[Bhima]] to fight on the [[Pandava]] side in the [[Kurukshetra War]]. Invoking his magical powers, he brought great havoc in the [[Kaurava]] army using his power of [[Maya (religion)\|illusion]], even scaring away warriors like Duryodhana and Karna. His son Anjanparva was brutally killed by Ashwattama. On the 14th night, Ghatotkacha comes into conflict with [[Ashwatthama]], who was attempting to rally the fleeing soldiers. After dispelling Ghatotkacha's illusion, he managed to knock the demon unconscious. After coming to his senses, Ghatotkacha became furious and fought with [[Ashwatthama]] in a long duel. During the fight, both combatants used their magical powers and celestial weapons at each other, but the mighty [[asura]] wasn't able to withstand the attack of the other and was forced to flee from the battlefield.

	After the death of [[Jayadratha]] on the fourteenth day, when the battle continued past sunset, Ghatotkacha truly shined; his powers were at their most effective at night as demons become endued with unlimited prowess, great might, and courage. Along with his asura troops, Ghatotkacha attacked the [[Kauravas]] at full power.		After the death of [[Jayadratha]] on the fourteenth day, when the battle continued past sunset, Ghatotkacha truly shined; his powers were at their most effective at night as demons become endued with unlimited prowess, great might, and courage. Along with his asura troops, Ghatotkacha attacked the [[Kauravas]] at full power.

	Eventually, a fight took place between [[Karna]] and Ghatotkacha. Upon seeing his efforts against the gigantic asura turn futile, [[Karna]] invoked his celestial weapons. Beholding a celestial weapon aimed at him, the foremost of all used his illusion to surround the [[Kaurava]] army. Beholding that, all kings with their sons and combatants, fled in fear. Only one among them -- [[Karna]]—proud of the power of his weapons and nobility, managed to destroy all of Ghatotkacha's illusions. At the same time, [[Karna]] was unable to force Ghatotkacha to withdraw. Ghatotkacha forged a fierce and terrible illusion into existence. He turned invisible and deceptively began to tear away large numbers of arrows and other celestial weapons at the [[Kaurava]] army, injuring [[Duryodhana]] in the process.		Another fight took place between [[Ashwatthama]] and Ghatotkacha. Ashwatthama manages to defeat Ghatotkacha yet again but the powerful asura managed to escape again using his power. Eventually, a fight took place between [[Karna]] and Ghatotkacha. Upon seeing his efforts against the gigantic asura turn futile, [[Karna]] invoked his celestial weapons. Beholding a celestial weapon aimed at him, the foremost of all used his illusion to surround the [[Kaurava]] army. Beholding that, all kings with their sons and combatants, fled in fear. Only one among them -- [[Karna]]—proud of the power of his weapons and nobility, managed to destroy all of Ghatotkacha's illusions. At the same time, [[Karna]] was unable to force Ghatotkacha to withdraw. Ghatotkacha forged a fierce and terrible illusion into existence. He turned invisible and deceptively began to tear away large numbers of arrows and other celestial weapons at the [[Kaurava]] army, injuring [[Duryodhana]] in the process.

	With no other option, and with the [[Kaurava]] army on the verge of revolt, [[Karna]] invoked into existence that terrible [[Astra (weapon)\|Vasavi Shakti]], which he had planned to use against [[Arjuna]]. [[Karna]] hurled the weapon at the sea destroying his illusion and piercing him before it returned to Indra.		With no other option, and with the [[Kaurava]] army on the verge of revolt, [[Karna]] invoked into existence that terrible [[Astra (weapon)\|Vasavi Shakti]], which he had planned to use against [[Arjuna]]. [[Karna]] hurled the weapon at the sea destroying his illusion and piercing him before it returned to Indra.

>245CMR: Reverted edits by 2409:4065:8A:AA3C:0:0:214C:A8B0 (talk) to last version by 49.37.223.193

2021-06-29T02:07:03Z

Reverted edits by 2409:4065:8A:AA3C:0:0:214C:A8B0 (talk) to last version by 49.37.223.193

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{{about|a character from [[Mahabharata]]|the Gupta ruler|Ghatotkacha (king)|the 2008 Indian film|Ghatothkach}}
{{short description|Son of Bhima in the Hindu epic Mahabharata}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Karna Try To Kill Ghatotkacha.jpg
| caption = Ghatotkacha fighting with Karna
| affiliation = Half-[[Rakshasa]]
| Devanagari = घटोत्कच
| Sanskrit_transliteration =
| abode = [[Kamyaka Forest]]
| birth_place = [[Kamyaka Forest]]
| children = [[Anjanaparvan]], Meghavarna, [[Barbarika]]
| father = [[Bhima]]
| mother = [[Hidimbi]]
| name = Ghatotkacha
| weapon = [[Gada (mace)]]
| death_place = [[Kurukshetra]]
| battles = [[Kurukshetra War]]
| spouse = [[Ahilawati]]
| deity_of =
}}

'''Ghatotkacha''' ({{lang-sa|घटोत्कच}}, {{IAST3|Ghaṭotkaca}}, literally: "Bald Pot") is an important character in the ''[[Mahabharata]]''.<ref name=encindlit>{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&q=itihasa&pg=PA1755 | title = The Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature (Volume Two) (Devraj to Jyoti) | isbn = 978-81-260-1194-0 | last1 = Datta | first1 = Amaresh | date = 2006-01-01}}</ref> His name comes from the fact that his head was hairless (''utkacha'') and shaped like a [[ghatam]].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://members.cox.net/apamnapat/entities/Ghatotkacha.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2006-12-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110002159/http://members.cox.net/apamnapat/entities/Ghatotkacha.html |archive-date=10 January 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Ghatotkacha was the son of the [[Pandava]] [[Bhima]] and the demoness [[Hidimbi]].

He is the father of [[Anjanaparvan]], [[Barbarika]] and Meghavarna. His second son [[Anjanaparvan]] participated in the war. His maternal parentage made him half-demon, which granted him several magical abilities such as the ability to fly, to increase or decrease in size and to become invisible. He was an important fighter from the [[Pandava]] side in the [[Kurukshetra war]] and caused a great deal of destruction to the [[Kaurava]] army on the fourteenth night. Ghatotkacha killed many demons like [[Characters in the Mahabharata|Alambusha]] and many gigantic [[Asuras]]. He was killed by [[Karna]] with Indra's Vasavi Shakti which Indra had given to Karna for his courage donating his earrings and armour.

==Legends==
[[File:Bhimsen and Ghatotkach.jpg|thumb|Bhima with his wife Hidimbi and Ghatotkacha while the rest of the Pandavas and their mother Kunti look on]]

Ghatotkacha was born to the demoness [[Hidimbi]] and the [[Pandava]] [[Bhima]]. Ghatotkacha was the eldest of children of [[Pandavas]]. When traveling the countryside with his brothers and [[Kunti|mother]] as a [[brahmin]], having escaped the [[lakshagraha]], Bhima saved Hidimbi from her wicked demon brother [[Hidimba]], the king of demons of [[Kamyaka Forest]]. Soon after Ghatotkacha was born, Bhima had to leave the forest leaving Hidimbi and ghatotkacha by themselves, as he still had duties to complete at [[Hastinapura]].

Ghatotkacha grew up under the care of [[Hidimbi]]. Like his father, Ghatotkacha's weapon of choice was the [[Gada (mace)|mace]]. Lord Krishna gave him a boon that no one in the world would be able to match his sorcery skills, except for Krishna himself.<ref>{{cite web |last = Dutt |first =Romesh|title=Maha-Bharata, The Epic of Ancient Indi}}</ref> According to folktales, [[Ahilawati]] married Ghatotkacha and their sons were [[Barbarika]], [[Anjanaparva]], and Meghavarna.

=== Hidimbi's Sacrifice Request ===

According to a folktale (not mentioned in Mahabharata), one day [[Hidimbi]] asked Ghatotkacha to fetch a human to sacrifice to Kali Mata. On his way to do so, he spotted a Brahmin and his wife traveling with their three children. Ghatotkacha approached them and asked which one of them should come with him to be his mother's sacrifice to [[Kali]].

The Brahmin offered himself but his wife insisted that she would go. Finally, their second son agreed to go with Ghatotkacha and asked his permission to first bathe in the river [[Ganga]]. [[Bhima]] comes upon the scene and inquired as to what was the matter. Ghatotkacha then relayed the scenario to Bhima, who agreed to go with him on the condition that Ghatotkacha should defeat him in a fight.

=== Fight with Bhima ===

The fight began with both father and son fighting barehanded. After days of fighting, both of them exhausted, they were stopped by [[Hidimbi]]. She informed Ghatotkacha that [[Bhima]] is his father. Ghatotkacha fell at the feet of his father Bhima who embraced and praised his son, telling him that seldom has he fought anyone who could match him in terms of strength. [[Bhima]] also criticizes his wife and son for following the practice of human sacrifice.

===Kurukshetra War===
[[File:Krishna_asking_Ghatotkacha_to_fight_Karna.jpg|thumb| Krishna Asking Ghatotkacha to Fight In Kurukshetra]]

In the [[Mahābhārata]], Ghatotkacha was summoned by [[Bhima]] to fight on the [[Pandava]] side in the [[Kurukshetra War]]. Invoking his magical powers, he brought great havoc in the [[Kaurava]] army using his power of [[Maya (religion)|illusion]], even scaring away warriors like Duryodhana and Karna. His son Anjanparva was brutally killed by Ashwattama. On the 14th night, Ghatotkacha comes into conflict with [[Ashwatthama]], who was attempting to rally the fleeing soldiers. After dispelling Ghatotkacha's illusion, he managed to knock the demon unconscious. After coming to his senses, Ghatotkacha became furious and fought with [[Ashwatthama]] in a long duel. During the fight, both combatants used their celestial weapons, but the mighty [[asura]] wasn't able to withstand the attack of the other and was forced to flee.

After the death of [[Jayadratha]] on the fourteenth day, when the battle continued past sunset, Ghatotkacha truly shined; his powers were at their most effective at night as demons become endued with unlimited prowess, great might, and courage. Along with his asura troops, Ghatotkacha attacked the [[Kauravas]] at full power.

Eventually, a fight took place between [[Karna]] and Ghatotkacha. Upon seeing his efforts against the gigantic asura turn futile, [[Karna]] invoked his celestial weapons. Beholding a celestial weapon aimed at him, the foremost of all used his illusion to surround the [[Kaurava]] army. Beholding that, all kings with their sons and combatants, fled in fear. Only one among them -- [[Karna]]—proud of the power of his weapons and nobility, managed to destroy all of Ghatotkacha's illusions. At the same time, [[Karna]] was unable to force Ghatotkacha to withdraw. Ghatotkacha forged a fierce and terrible illusion into existence. He turned invisible and deceptively began to tear away large numbers of arrows and other celestial weapons at the [[Kaurava]] army, injuring [[Duryodhana]] in the process.

With no other option, and with the [[Kaurava]] army on the verge of revolt, [[Karna]] invoked into existence that terrible [[Astra (weapon)|Vasavi Shakti]], which he had planned to use against [[Arjuna]]. [[Karna]] hurled the weapon at the sea destroying his illusion and piercing him before it returned to Indra.

[[File:Ghatotkacha's_corpse_falsl_on_one_Akshauhini_of_Kaurava_Army.jpg|thumb|247x247px|Ghatotkacha's Corpse Falls on One of The Akshauhinis of The Kaurava Army]]

Mortally wounded, Ghatotkacha rose to the sky. In the midst of dying, he managed to enlarge his body, crushing one [[akshauhini]] of the [[Kaurava]] army by his weight as he fell and before dying he destroyed 0.5 of [[Kaurava]] army, so he destroyed 1.5 army of his enemy.<ref>Amar Chitra Katha #592, {{ISBN|9788184821994}}</ref>The [[Pandavas]] were filled with grief at Ghatotkacha's death, while [[Krishna]] with the cosmic knowledge smiled as Ghatotkacha lost the demon bhava and reached heaven.

===Javanese version===
[[File:Gathutkaca.jpg|thumb|Ghatotkacha as Javanese ''[[Wayang]]'' puppet in war attire.]]
The [[Kurukshetra War]] in [[Javanese people|Javanese]] [[wayang]] is usually called by the name ''[[Bharatayuddha]]''. The story was adapted and developed from the script ''[[Kakawin Bharatayuddha]]'' written in [[1157]] during the time of the [[Kediri Kingdom]] (present day [[East Java]], [[Indonesia]]). In the ''[[wayang]]'' puppet version, Ghatotkacha (locally spelled 'Gatotkaca') is very close to his cousin named [[Abimanyu]], son of [[Arjuna]]. [[Abhimanyu]] married [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]] the daughter of [[Virata Kingdom]], after he claimed he was a virgin. In fact, [[Abhimanyu]] was married to Sitisundari, daughter of [[Krishna]]. Sitisundari who is entrusted in the palace of Gatotkaca heard the news that her husband had remarried. Gatotkaca's Uncle, named Kalabendana, came to Abhimanyu to take him home (Kalabendana was [[Hidimbi|Arimbi]]'s youngest brother, a dwarf giant but with a plain and noble heart). This have made Uttara jealous, and Abhimanyu was forced to swear that if he indeed had a wife other than Uttara, he would be willing to die beaten by his enemies later on. Kalabendana met with Gatotkaca to report Abhimanyu's attitude. Gatotkaca actually scolded Kalabendana, which he considered presumptuously interfering in his cousin's household affairs. Out of impulse anger, Gatotkaca hit Kalabendana's head, and even though the act was carried out accidentally, Kalabendana was killed instantly.

When the [[Bharatayuddha]] war broke out, Abhimanyu was actually killed by the [[Kauravas]] on the 13th day. On the 14th day, Arjuna managed to avenge his son's death by beheading [[Jayadratha]]. [[Duryodhana]] was very sad over the death of Jayadratha, his own brother-in-law. He forced [[Karna]] to attack the [[Pandava]] camp that night. Karna obeyed even though this violates the rules of the war. After learning that the Kauravas launched a night attack, the Pandavas sent Gatotkaca to head off. Gatotkaca was deliberately chosen because ''Kotang Antrakusuma'' armor which he wears is able to emit bright light to shine on Kaurava's army. Gatotkaca successfully killed a Kaurava ally named Lembusa. Meanwhile, two of his uncles, Brajalamadan and Brajawikalpa, died at the hands of their enemies, each named Lembusura and Lembusana.

Gatotkaca faced Karna, the wielder of Kontawijaya weapon. He created his twins as many as a thousand people to make Karna feel confused. On the instructions of his father, named [[Surya|Batara Surya]], Karna managed to find the original Gatotkaca. He then released Konta weapon in the direction of Gatotkaca. Gatotkaca tried to evade this by flying as high as possible. But the spirit of Kalabendana suddenly appeared to catch Kontawijaya while delivering news from heaven that the death of Gatotkaca had been set that night. Gatotkaca surrenders himself to his fate and requests that his body would be used to kill Kaurava's armies. Kalabendana agrees, then stabbed Gatotkaca's navel using Konta weapon. The weapon merges back into its sheath, which is the mastaba wood still stored in Gatotkaca's gut. Gatotkaca dies, and the spirit of Kalabendana threw his body towards Karna which managed to jump to escape death. Karna's chariot was shattered to pieces as a result of being crushed by Gatotkaca's body, and the fragments of the chariot shot in all directions and killed the Kaurava soldiers who were around it.

==Lineage==
Ghatotkacha had 3 sons - Barbarika, Anjanaparvan and Meghavarna. The existence of Barbarika is debated as he is mentioned in the later additions to the [[Skanda Purana]], and not in the official renditions of the [[Mahabharata]].

However, Ghatotkacha's Lineage is supposed to have extended longer. The royal family of the [[Dimasa Kingdom]] claimed descent from Ghatotkacha.

==Temples==
[[File:Candi Gatotkaca, Dieng 1163.jpg|thumb|Gatotkaca temple in [[Central Java]], [[Indonesia]].]]
* There is a temple built in [[Champawat]], [[Uttrakhand]] where it is meant his head fell after he was killed by [[Karna]] in the battle of [[Mahabharata]].
* There is a temple built to honor Ghatotkacha in [[Manali, Himachal Pradesh]] near the [[Hidimba Devi Temple]].
* An ancient [[7th Century]] Hindu temple structure in [[Dieng temples|Dieng Temples]] complex, [[Central Java]] is named as "Gatotkaca Temple" in honour of the Mahabharata character.

==In popular culture==
*The folktale of [[Sasirekha Parinayam]] (not originally in the Mahabharata) about [[Abhimanyu]]'s love for Shashirekha/Vatsala (the daughter of [[Balarama]]) and Ghatotkacha's help in breaking off Vatsala's engagement with [[Laxman Kumara|Laxmana Kumar]] has been filmed numerous times in India. These include:<ref>{{cite book|author1=Ashish Rajadhyaksha|author2=Paul Willemen|title=Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rF8ABAAAQBAJ&pg=RA39-PA1991|year=2014|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-135-94325-7|page=39}}</ref>
** ''Surekha Haran'', a 1921 Indian silent film directed by [[Baburao Painter]].
** ''Vatsalaharan'', a 1923 Indian silent film directed by Baburao Painter.
** ''Maya Bazaar'', a 1925 Indian silent film directed by Baburao Painter.
** ''Maya Bazaar'', a 1932 Indian [[Hindi]] film starring [[Baburao Pendharkar]].
** ''Maya Bazaar'', a 1935 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]] film directed by R. Padmanabhan.
** ''[[Mayabazar (1936 film)|Mayabazar]]'', or ''Sasirekha Parinayam'', a 1936 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language fantasy film directed by P. V. Das.
** ''Maya Bazaar'', a 1939 Indian film directed by G. P. Pawar.
** ''Maya Bazaar'', a 1949 Indian Hindi fantasy film directed by Datta Dharmadhikari.
** ''[[Mayabazar]]'', a 1957 Indian epic fantasy film directed by [[K. V. Reddy]].
** ''Maya Bazaar'', a 1958 Indian Hindi adventure fantasy film directed by [[Babubhai Mistry]].
** ''Maya Bazar'', a 1984 Indian Hindi/[[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] fantasy film directed by Babubhai Mistry.
** ''Maya Bazaar'', a 1984 Indian Telugu romance drama film directed by [[Dasari Narayana Rao]].
* Other Indian films about Ghatotkacha include:
** ''[[Veer Ghatotkach]]'', a 1949 Indian Hindi/[[Marathi language|Marathi]] mythological film.
** ''Veer Ghatotkajan'', a 1959 Indian [[Tamil film|Tamil]] mythological film directed by [[Babubhai Mistry]].
** ''[[Ghatotkachudu]]'', a 1995 Indian [[Telugu film|Telugu]] [[comedy film]] directed by [[S. V. Krishna Reddy]].
** ''Veer Ghatotkach'', a 1970 Indian Hindi mythological adventure film directed by [[Shantilal Soni]].
** A 2008 Indian animated film ''[[Ghatothkach]]'' was based on his life. It was directed by [[Singeetham Srinivas Rao]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/ssg/20080512.htm|title=Ghatothkach, Cannes-bound!|website=Rediff|access-date=2019-06-05}}</ref>
** ''Ghatotkacha'', another Indian animated film released in 2008, directed by Rakesh Prasad.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ghatotkacha |url=https://www.amazon.in/Ghatotkacha-Rakesh-Prasad/dp/B006O2MGYQ |website=[[amazon.in]]}}</ref>
* [[Amar Chitra Katha]], an Indian comic book series, published an [[List of Amar Chitra Katha comics|issue]] on Ghatotkacha. This was later adapted as an episode in the 2010 animated series of the comics.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Amar Chitra Katha Animated Series - Season 1 |url=https://www.primevideo.com/detail/The-Amar-Chitra-Katha-Animated-Series/0FWNPZHRWDF5KR9OZCYLEPN85D |website=[[Amazon Prime Video]] |language=en}}</ref>
* [https://example.com Razaq Khan (Not comedian Rajaq Khan)] played Ghatotkacha in 1988 TV Series [[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)|''Mahabharat'']].
* [[Ketan Karande]] played Ghatotkacha in 2013 TV Series [[Mahabharat (2013 TV series)|''Mahabharat'']].
* Since ancient until current modern [[Indonesia]], Ghatotkacha has become a very popular pop culture figure and ''[[wayang]]'' puppet character, having its own version of stories told in the [[Java]]nese and [[Bali]]nese version of Mahabharata story.
** In Javanese wayang, he is known as ''Gatotkoco'' with [[superhero]] fame and well known for the nickname the "''Satria otot kawat balung wesi''" ("Wire muscle and Iron bone Warrior").
** For Javanese and Balinese, Ghatotkacha is revered as a deity and popularly depicted in artworks and statues, such as the ''Satria Gatotkaca'' Park Statue in [[Kuta]] major road intersection in Bali.
** Gatotkaca have been frequently depicted in Indonesian popular culture such as music, comics and film, such as the superhero action film ''Satria Dewa: Gatotkaca'' (2020) .
** Javanese version of Ghatotkacha, known as Gatotkaca, depicted in ''Garudayana'', an Indonesian comic series, is featured as a playable character in the game ''Mobile Legends: Bang Bang''.
** Many Indonesian males usually [[Javanese people]] are named after this character as "Gatot" or "Gatut", such as the former [[Indonesian military]] commander, [[Gatot Nurmantyo]].

==See also==
* [[Ghatotkacha Caves]]
* [[Hanuman]]
* [[Mayabazar]]
* [[Kachari Kingdom]]

==References==

<references/>

==External links==
{{Commons category|Ghatotkacha}}
* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07171.htm Mahābhārata Book 7 Ghatotkacha-vadha Parva]
{{Clear}}
{{Mahābhārata}}

[[Category:Rakshasa in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Asura]]
[[Category:Rakshasa]]
[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]