Bakasura

For other uses, see Bakasura (disambiguation).

Bakasura
Devanagari	बकासुर
Sanskrit Transliteration	Bakasura
Affiliation	Asura

Bakasura (also called Bakāsura, Baka, Vaka) (बकासुर) a great Asura who lived near the city of Ekachakra (sometimes Chakranagari), and forced the Raja of the place to send him daily a large quantity of provisions, which he devoured, and not only the provisions, but the men who carried them. Under the directions of Kunti, her son Bhima took the provisions consuming them on the way, specifically to annoy Bakasura.

Story in the Epic Mahabharatha

The Pandavas and their mother Kunti had to live outside their own kingdom for many years. Once while going from place to place, they reached a quiet village. There they stayed in the house of a villager. The villager and his family were nice to them.

The Pandavas noticed that the people in the village did not laugh or talk much. They seemed to be find to be afraid of someone.

One evening when the Pandavas were away, Kunti heard someone crying inside the house. She went out to find what the matter was.

The lady of the house told her that a terrible demon lived in a forest beyond the village. His name was Bakasura. He killed many people from the village. So one day the village headman went to demon. He requested him not kill the villagers and promised to send a cartload of food and one person for him every day. The demon agreed to this request. Since then, someone from the village had been taking a cartload of food to the demon everyday. And the cannibal demon gobbled up both the man and the food.

``Tomorrow it is my son’s turn to go to him,’’ said the woman and started weeping again.

``Stop weeping,’’ Kunti said, ``I am sure that my son Bheema can help you. He will go in place of your son’’.

But the woman would not listen to this. ``Oh no! I cannot let your son die for us. You are our guests.’’

``Do not be afraid,’’ Kunti smiled slowly. ``my son Bheema has killed demons before. He will come back safe.’’

When the Pandavas returned home, Kunti told them about the demon and of her promise. Bheema was at once ready to take the food for Bakasura. Early next morning, Bheema left for the pushing the cart loaded with rice, milk, vegetables, fruit and sweets.

When Bheema reached the forest, he did not find Bakasura anywhere. So he sat down in the shade of a tree. Soon he felt hungry and started eating bananas. Within time all the bananas were finished. Then he ate the rice and then the fruit and sweets. When the demon appeared, Bheema had eaten up almost all the food. Bakasura was fierce-looking and had a beak like arcane. He was very angry to see the empty cart.

He came rushing towards Bheema and began to rain blows upon him. ``How dare you’’, he roared’’ how dare you eat my food? I am hungry’’.

``I too was hungry and you were late in coming,’’ said Bheema, smiling.

Bakasura bared his teeth and rushed towards Bheema. Bheema was ready. A great fight started. Bakasura threw big trees at Bheema, but Bheema just caught them and threw them away as if they were small twigs. After a long time in the fighting Bheema killed Bakasura and tied to the cart with a rope. Dragging him all the way, he returned to the village.

The villagers could not believe that the demon had been killed.

They thanked Bheema with tears in their eyes. Here was great rejoicing in the village that night.

Legends say that the city of Ekachakra is a small village, located 20 km away from the town of Rampurhat in the Birbhum District of West Bengal. It is in this city that the Pandavas were staying during their exile. Today, tourists on the outskirts of Erandol can see the fallen rice markings of that era and a nearby water pond. Nearby Padmalay Ganesh temple on the hills is also an important tourist and pilgrim destination.

Pratapgarh district in Uttar Pradesh is ancient religious site Bhayaharan Nath Dham's legends said Bakasura monster was killed in South Pratapgarh which was called as Dwaitwan"' .Here remains were found on several Pandav carpet fractal sculptures.After Bheema killed the demon cannibal Bakasura , a Shiva Lingam was established here , which today is well known and famed as Bhayaharan Nath Dham"' and it's the story of the Pandavas and Bakasura , the indelible marks of history.This Lord Shiva temple of the Mahabharata epic times is a magnificent venue and is very important to see, where people have come from every corner of country.

References

• Dowson's Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology
• Acharya Chandra Shekhar Shastri: Puranon ki Anmol Kahanian, 2006 ISBN 81-902258-6-3