The son of Bhima and Hidimba was named Ghatotkacha. He grew up to be physically powerful. His maternal parentage made him half-demon, and gave him many magical powers. Ghatotkacha was very attached to the Pandavas. When the Pandavas were leaving the forest, Kunti called Ghatotkacha and told him that even though he was Bhima’s son, he would always be regarded as the eldest son of the Pandavas. Ghatotkacha promised to come to their aid whenever they would remember him. Ghatotkacha was a loyal and humble figure. He was summoned by Bhima to fight on the Pandava side in Kurukshetra battle. Invoking his magical powers, he wrought great havoc in the Kaurava’s army. The Kaurava’s leader Duryodhana appealed to his best fighter, Karna, to kill Ghatotkacha. Loyal Karna, unable to refuse the request of Duryodhana, hurled his Indraastra at Ghatotkacha, killing him. This is considered to be the turning point of the war. After his death, Lord Krishna, the counsellor of the Pandavas and the charioteer of prince Arjuna, smiled as he considered the war to have been won for the Pandavas now as Karna no longer had a divine weapon to use in fighting Arjuna.
GHATOTKACHA, THE GREAT WARRIOR
