Hiḍimbī, also known as Hiḍimbā (Sanskrit: ), is a character in the Mahabharata, one of the two great Sanskrit epics of ancient India. She is introduced as a man-eating Rakshasi (demoness) and the sister of Hidimba, a powerful demon who ruled a forested region. In the narrative, Hidimbi is tasked by her brother to deceive the Pandava brothers—the main characters of the epic—but instead falls in love with Bhima, second of the five Pandava brothers. She exposes the scheme, leading to Hidimba's death at the hands of Bhima. Afterwards, Hidimbi marries Bhima and becomes the mother of Ghatotkacha, who plays an important role in the Kurukshetra War. In contemporary times, Hidimbi is identified with a guardian goddess named Haḍimbā, locally worshipped in the Himalayan region.
Legend
Hidimbi is introduced in the Mahabharata in the Hidimba-Vadha Parva episode of the Adi Parva (First book of the epic). Hidimbi is depicted as a formidable rākṣasī (demoness) who resided in the forest alongside her brother, Hidimba, a cannibal. The siblings make their home in a towering Sala tree and prey on travelers who pass through their territory. One day, while searching for food, Hidimba senses the presence of humans nearby—the Pandavas and their mother, Kunti, who are wandering in exile after narrowly escaping the fiery trap set for them by the Kauravas in the House of Lacquer. Eager for fresh prey, Hidimba orders his sister to investigate and lure them into a trap. As she moves through the forest, Hidimba discovers the group sleeping under the watch of Bhima, the second eldest brother, and a powerful and strikingly handsome warrior. Instantly captivated, she decides he would be the perfect husband.
Aware that her monstrous form may frighten the warrior, Hidimbi transforms into a beautiful maiden and approaches Bhima. She warns him of her brother’s intentions and urges him to flee. She offers to carry him and his family away to safety with her supernatural abilities, but Bhima refuses to flee. Hidimba, realizing that his sister has betrayed him, becomes furious and calls her promiscuous. He storms toward them to kill them all. Bhima, however, steps forward to face him. The two engage in a fierce battle, while Hidimbi watches anxiously. In the end, Bhima overpowers Hidimba and kills him, freeing the forest from his menace.