Bakasura: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by 106.206.49.135
Last edited September 29, 2025
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
UpdateBot (talk | contribs)
Bots
22,126 edits
robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)
Page updated with relevant improvements
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Rakshasa (demon) in the Hindu epic Mahabharata}}
{{short description|Rakshasa in the Hindu epic Mahabharata}}
{{for|Demon killed by Hindu god Krishna|Bakasura (crane demon)}}
{{for|the asura killed by the Hindu god Krishna|Bakasura (crane demon)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Distinguish|Bakasuran}}
{{use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox deity
{{Infobox epic character
| type = Hindu
| series = [[Mahabharata]]
| name = Bakasura
| image=Bhima fighting with Bakasura color.jpg
| image = Hungry Bakasura Meets Bhima.jpg
| caption= Bakasura was beaten by Bhima
| siblings = [[Kirmira]] (younger brother)
| texts = [[Mahabharata]]
| affiliation = [[Rakshasa]]
| affiliation = [[Rakshasa]]
| species = Demon
| region = Ekachakrapura
| gender = Male
| caption = Hungry Bakasura Meets Bhima
| relatives = [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Alambhusha|Alambhusha]] and [[Kirmira]] (younger brothers); [[Bheeshana]] (Bhīṣaṇa) - son.
| birth_place = Garhbeta, West Bengal, India
}}
}}


'''Bakāsura''' ({{lang-sa|बकासुर}}, {{IAST3|Bakasura}}) is a [[rakshasa]], a supernatural "man-eater" in the [[Hindu epic]] [[Mahabharata]]. He is also known by the names '''Baka''' or '''Vaka''' or '''kuaishwa'''. He was killed by [[Bhima]]. The demon lived near the city of [[Ekachakra|Ekacakrā]] (sometimes called ''Cakranagarī'') and forced the king to send him a large number of provisions every week, which he devoured along with the men who provided them. Bhima was eventually sent out to kill Bakāsura under the direction of his mother [[Kunti]].<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/75 75]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref>
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
 
{{use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
==Story==
 
The demon lived near the city of [[Ekachakra|Ekacakrā]] (sometimes called ''Cakranagarī'') and forced the village headman to send him a large number of provisions every week, which he devoured along with the bulls of bullock carts and the men who provided them. [[Pandavas]] and [[Kunti]] were living in that village after Lakshagrah case in the home of a Brahmin. One day, Kunti heard voices of mourning from another room. She asked a Brahmin as to what happened. The brahmin's sons told her about Bakasura's demand and said that now it's their father's turn to go. Kunti told them that there is no need for them to worry because her son [[Bhima]] will go instead of the Brahmin. Next day, Bhima met villagers and his mother and brothers went to Bakasura's Den in the forest. He stopped before his den, freed the bulls so that Bakasura cannot harm them and starting eating food which was sent for Bakasura. Bakasura, who was awaiting for his meal, came out of his den in anger. He asked Bhima about his late arrival and stopped him from eating his food. Bhima did not gave response and threw utensils and pots at him. Bakasura started hitting him with his mace. Bhima started laughing and continued his meal. Bakasura's hits were unable to harm Bhima. After finishing the meal, Bhima punched Bakasura. They started a great duel. Bhima broke his Mace. He plucked large trees and hit Bakasura. Then he plucked out Bakasura's horns and killed him by crushing his chest by his own horns. Then Bhima reached Ekchakra village and told the villagers and his family about the event that unfolded. The villagers and the king thanked Bhima and his family.
 
==Possible Locations of the death of Bakasura==
 
There are multiple traditional locations for Bhima's slaying of Bakasura.<br>
Listed here are several of them:
 
* The city of [[Ekachakra|Ekacakra]] is believed by some to be the modern-day location of a small village near the town of [[Rampurhat]] in West Bengal. The [[Pandava|Paṇḍavas]] stayed there during their exile. Alternatively, according to some historians and regional folklore, the town of [[Pandaveswar]] near [[Durgapur]] in the district of [[Burdwan]], is the site where that village existed, with a well-known temple having several ancient [[Lingam]]s, representations of Shiva, near the banks of the [[Ajay River]]. It is said to have been established by the Pāṇḍavās and their mother Kuntī.


* This temple is partly controlled by the Mahants of the [[Nimbarka Sampradaya]]. In the locality of Ukhra, near [[Pandaveswar]], there is a [[Matha|mutt]] (a monastery of that sect) that was established by the erstwhile Zamindar of [[Ukhra]]. The site of the slaying of Bakasura is said to be in a place called [[Bhimgarh]] situated on the other side of the [[Ajay River]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anandabazar.com/district/bardhaman/%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA-%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A3-%E0%A6%AA-%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%9B-%E0%A6%AA-%E0%A6%A3-%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%B9-%E0%A6%A8-1.124509|title=Khoni Shohore Pran Peyeche (Bengali)|last=|first=|date=|website=anandabazar.com|access-date=10 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bongodorshon.com/home/story_detail/sati-pit-birbhum|title=বীরভূমের ইতিহাসে পৌরাণিক এবং তান্ত্রিক প্রসঙ্গ|last=|first=|date=17 May 2017|website=bongodorshon.com|access-date=10 October 2017}}</ref>
'''Bakasura''' ({{langx|sa|बकासुर}}, {{IAST3|Bakasura}}), also rendered '''Baka''', is a [[rakshasa]] featured in the [[Hindu epic]] [[Mahabharata]]. The rakshasa lives in a forest which nowadays known as "Gangani" located near [[Garbeta|Garhbeta]] town of the [[India|Indian]] state of [[West Bengal]]. In exchange for protecting the kingdom from invaders, he terrorises its citizens, eating them at will. The weak king is rendered helpless. The people come to an arrangement with their tormentor: They would send him large provisions of food every week, which he would consume, along with the cart-driver who delivered them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2012-06-15 |title=Bakasura, Bakāsura: 4 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/bakasura |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> In order to save the life of their [[Brahmin]] host when it is his turn to deliver the cartload, [[Bhima]] is eventually sent out to kill Bakasura, under the direction of his mother, [[Kunti]].<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/75 75]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref>


* Other sources locate the city of [[Ekachakra|Ekacakra]] (Ekcakranagari) in the present-day village of Erandol in the Jalgaon district of Maharashtra. On the outskirts of Erandol, near a pond of water, tourists visiting today can still see some of the fallen rice markings of that era. The [[Padmalaya]] Ganesh temple, in the neighboring hills, is also an important tourist and pilgrim destination. In the city of Erandol, there was an ancient place known as "Pandav Wada" (heirlo) which is said to be a place where the Panadavas lived with their mother. It is believed that in Padmalaya, 12 km away from Erandol, Bhima attacked and destroyed Bakasura. Bhima had traveled that 12 km, burdened with food, on an underground road that extended under Erandol. This underground roadway was later blocked entirely.
The slaying of Bakasura by Bhima is commemorated on the occasion of [[Bhimana Amavasya]].


* [[Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh|Pratapgarh]] district in [[Uttar Pradesh]] is another ancient religious site. According to [https://web.archive.org/web/20110820053031/http://bhayaharannathdham.com/ Bhayaharan Nath Dham]'s legends, Bakasura was killed in [[Pratapgarh,_Uttar_Pradesh|South Pratapgarh]] which was once called  "Dwaitwan". Remains have been found of several Paṇḍava [[sculptures]]. After Bhima killed the demon Bakasura, a [[Lingam]] was established here. Today, it is known as the location of the [[Shaivite]] [[Katra_Gulab_Singh#Bhayaharan_nath_Dham|Bhayaharan Nath Dham Temple]], and serves as a reminder of the story of the Paṇḍavas and Bakasura.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}
==History==


* Another story claims that the location of Ekacakra is in modern-day [[Kaivara]] in [[Karnataka]]. There is a hill where Bakasura resided about 75km from [[Bengaluru]]. Its location can be reached by ascending the hill through a series of stairs. It is said that blood occasionally flows from here.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bakasura, Bakāsura, Vaka, Baka {{!}} They were here and might return|url=https://www.scoop.it/topic/they-were-here-and-might-return/p/4005256242/2013/07/27/bakasura-bakasura-vaka-baka|access-date=20 July 2020|website=Scoop.it}}</ref>
[[Pandava|Pandavas]] and Kunti travelled to Ekachakrapura after Bhima's wedding to [[Hidimbi]], welcomed in the house of a Brahmin family. One day, Kunti heard the lamentations of the members of the family, and sought to identify the source of their distress. She overheard the husband speak of his woe that he would have to sacrifice himself in order to protect his wife and children. His wife, daughter, and son all desired to be the ones to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their family. Curious, Kunti approached them and sought some details regarding their troubles. The Brahmin informed her of the rakshasa named Bakasura, who defended the people from attackers, in exchange for a weekly delivery of a cartload of food. The person who delivered the cartload would also be devoured by the rakshasa. Disturbed, Kunti declared that no Brahmin should have to die for the depredations of the creature, and that her son, Bhima, would go in their stead. She assured the Brahmins that Bhima was of great prowess. Bhima immediately agreed to vanquish the rakshasa in gratitude for his hosts. That night, he was dispatched with the food that was to be delivered to the rakshasa, and carried the cartload to the forest, where Bakasura dwelt. The aroma of the food overpowered the Pandava so much that he started to consume it. When Bakasura saw his provisions being consumed, he was enraged, and rushed to attack Bhima. The two uprooted trees and hurled them at each other, and then proceeded to drag each other against the earth. Finally, Bakasura grew tired, and Bhima was able to plunge his knee against the former's spine, breaking his body into two. When Bakasura's friends and family arrived and grew terrified by the sight, Bhima assured them that they would be safe as long as they gave up human flesh, to which they agreed. Bhima secretly placed Bakasura's corpse upon the cartload near the town's gates and described the incident to the grateful Brahmins.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dharma |first=Krishna |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NbAeEAAAQBAJ&dq=baka+rakshasa+bhima&pg=PA80 |title=Mahabharata: The Greatest Spiritual Epic of All Time |date=2020-08-18 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-68383-920-0 |pages=77–81 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mittal |first=J. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rrh4tY3v2A4C&dq=bakasura+bhima&pg=PA484 |title=History of Ancient India (A New Version) |date=2006 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |isbn=978-81-269-0616-1 |pages=484 |language=en}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
*Dowson's Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology
*
*Acharya Chandra Shekhar Shastri: Puranon ki Anmol Kahanian, 2006 {{ISBN|81-902258-6-3}}
{{HinduMythology}}
{{HinduMythology}}


[[Category:Rakshasa in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Rakshasa in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Rakshasa]]

Latest revision as of 19:26, 29 September 2025


For the asura killed by the Hindu god Krishna, see Bakasura (crane demon).
Not to be confused with Bakasuran.
Bakasura
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Hungry Bakasura Meets Bhima
AffiliationRakshasa
TextsMahabharata
RegionEkachakrapura
Personal information
Born
Garhbeta, West Bengal, India
SiblingsKirmira (younger brother)


Bakasura (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., IAST: Bakasura), also rendered Baka, is a rakshasa featured in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The rakshasa lives in a forest which nowadays known as "Gangani" located near Garhbeta town of the Indian state of West Bengal. In exchange for protecting the kingdom from invaders, he terrorises its citizens, eating them at will. The weak king is rendered helpless. The people come to an arrangement with their tormentor: They would send him large provisions of food every week, which he would consume, along with the cart-driver who delivered them.[1] In order to save the life of their Brahmin host when it is his turn to deliver the cartload, Bhima is eventually sent out to kill Bakasura, under the direction of his mother, Kunti.[2]

The slaying of Bakasura by Bhima is commemorated on the occasion of Bhimana Amavasya.

History[edit | edit source]

Pandavas and Kunti travelled to Ekachakrapura after Bhima's wedding to Hidimbi, welcomed in the house of a Brahmin family. One day, Kunti heard the lamentations of the members of the family, and sought to identify the source of their distress. She overheard the husband speak of his woe that he would have to sacrifice himself in order to protect his wife and children. His wife, daughter, and son all desired to be the ones to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their family. Curious, Kunti approached them and sought some details regarding their troubles. The Brahmin informed her of the rakshasa named Bakasura, who defended the people from attackers, in exchange for a weekly delivery of a cartload of food. The person who delivered the cartload would also be devoured by the rakshasa. Disturbed, Kunti declared that no Brahmin should have to die for the depredations of the creature, and that her son, Bhima, would go in their stead. She assured the Brahmins that Bhima was of great prowess. Bhima immediately agreed to vanquish the rakshasa in gratitude for his hosts. That night, he was dispatched with the food that was to be delivered to the rakshasa, and carried the cartload to the forest, where Bakasura dwelt. The aroma of the food overpowered the Pandava so much that he started to consume it. When Bakasura saw his provisions being consumed, he was enraged, and rushed to attack Bhima. The two uprooted trees and hurled them at each other, and then proceeded to drag each other against the earth. Finally, Bakasura grew tired, and Bhima was able to plunge his knee against the former's spine, breaking his body into two. When Bakasura's friends and family arrived and grew terrified by the sight, Bhima assured them that they would be safe as long as they gave up human flesh, to which they agreed. Bhima secretly placed Bakasura's corpse upon the cartload near the town's gates and described the incident to the grateful Brahmins.[3][4]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (15 June 2012). "Bakasura, Bakāsura: 4 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  2. ↑ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 75.
  3. ↑ Dharma, Krishna (18 August 2020). Mahabharata: The Greatest Spiritual Epic of All Time. Simon and Schuster. pp. 77–81. ISBN 978-1-68383-920-0.
  4. ↑ Mittal, J. P. (2006). History of Ancient India (A New Version). Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 484. ISBN 978-81-269-0616-1.
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bakasura&oldid=449959"
Discover more