Bhima’s Fight with the Yakshas – Stories from Aranyaka Parva

During the twelve-year exile, Bhima faced and fought rakshasas. He also fought with the yakshas of Kubera’s kingdom.

The Pandavas climbed up Mount Gandhamadhana and settled in the region with Kubera’s permission (it was his land). After a few days, Draupadi said to Bhima that the shouts of the rakshasas from the top of the mountain were terrifying and he could make them flee the place so that it would be more peaceful. She wanted to see the mountaintop. 

Delighted by Draupadi’s praise, Bhima rushed up the mountain with his weapons and without a second thought about his actions. The rakshasas were also a part of Kubera’s region. Yakshas, guhyakas, kinnaras, some gandharvas, and rakshasas lived there. 

On the way, he saw many rishis, kinnaras, yakshas, and gandharavas. He also saw Kubera’s golden palace. It was beautiful with lavish gardens around and a scented breeze. Reaching the top, Bhima blew his conch, twanged the bow, and slapped his thighs. These were his signals for a fight. 

The gandharva, yaksha, kinnara, guhyaka, and rakshasa guards readied and launched an attack on him. Bhima fought them ferociously with a single-minded goal to eliminate all of them. No matter how many he faced, he injured or killed them and continued to fight. Then, Maniman, a large and broad-chested rakshasa arrived to face Bhima. Maniman was Kubera’s friend and the commander of his army. A short yet terrifying battle took place between the two. Bhima successfully killed Maniman. Seeing him dead, the remaining rakshasas fled to inform Kubera. 

Meanwhile, the sounds of anguish and Bhima’s war cries reached the Pandavas below. Draupadi relayed her conversation with Bhima to Yudhistira. Quickly, Yudhistira, the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), and Rishi Lomasa killed up the mountain to salvage the situation. After all, Bhima was attacking their host’s army! Yudhistira was afraid that Kubera would be furious and curse his brother. 

Seeing the dead bodies at the top, Yudhistira admonished Bhima for his actions and said it was very unworthy of him to do this. He sternly asked Bhima to refrain from such actions again. 

Kubera who got the news from his guards also reached the spot and took in the damage. His golden flying chariot (Pushpaka) dazzled in the light. The Pandavas (except Bhima) bowed to Kubera to show their respect. Kubera smiled and told Yudhistira to not be angry at Bhima. He turned to Bhima and added that his actions were reckless and dangerous. However, since this time it worked to fulfill and break a curse, he would not be punished. 

The king of yakshas (Kubera) explained that a long time ago, he and his rakshasa friend, Maniman, along with many attendants, were flying to the council of gods in Kushvati. It was evening when they were on the way. From above, Maniman saw Rishi Agastya in a river, offering ablutions to the gods. Maniman gave into his rakshasa urges and spat on the rishi’s head. 

Agastya looked up and was infuriated. He cursed the rakshasas, yakshas, and Maniman to die in the hands of a human. He said that Kubera would be able to do nothing to save his friends since he didn’t stop the rakshasa from spitting on him. Agastya said Kubera would grieve and be freed when he saw the human responsible for their deaths. However, he was careful enough to add a clause that the sons and grandsons wouldn’t be affected by the curse.

Thus, in his recklessness, the Pandava brother broke the curse on Kubera. The yaksha king revived his dead army using his powers. He told the Pandavas they could continue to be his guests in the region but that Bhima shouldn’t repeat such actions. 

Thanking him, Yudhistira took his brothers down the mountain, back to Arshtisena’s ashram, where they were staying.