Bakasura – The Rakshas of Ekachakranagara

Ekachakra nagara, a beautiful small village resided by kind people living harmoniously amidst the pleasant nature was once visited by the Pandavas during their exile where they disguised as Brahmin scholars. They were abandoned from the city of Hastinapur and were sent on an exile for 13 long years after losing in a gamble with the Kauravas. It was a plot sown by Shakuni, uncle of Kauravas who cheated the Pandavas and tricked them into losing the game of dice. They had to spend 12 years in the dreaded jungles and the last year in total isolation. One of these years while they were traveling they reached Ekachakra nagara.

Arjuna, the elite archer among the Pandavas suggested that they should enter the city in disguise as Brahmin scholars to which Kunti, mother of the Pandavas agreed. Bheema, the strongest Pandava, also known to have a big appetite as he was the son of the wind god Vayu, was worried about what they’d do about their meals. Kunti then assured him he’d have enough food by begging the people of Ekachakra nagara. Fortunately, a scholar gave them shelter in his humble abode as soon as they entered the village. They begged during the day and survived with the food they were provided by the people. They lived happily in the calm village.

All was good in the scholar town except the brutal, barbaric cannibalism of the Rakshas, Bakasura. He attacked the village years ago and lived in a cave nearby. He was a giant demon and used to get out of the cave when he was hungry and killed the men, women and their children ruthlessly. The king who was a coward got terrified by the Rakshas fled to another city leaving the residents in great danger. The helpless residents had no choice but to make a deal with the Rakshas. They assured him that they’d send a cart full of fruits, vegetables and meat along with a person whom he could devour and in return they asked him not to attack the villagers and let them live in peace.  One by one, day by day the People of Ekachakra nagara started waning. They took along with them a bullock cart full of Fruits, vegetables and meat. Bakasura devoured them all first, then the person.

Bheema could not get enough of the food they got out of begging any more. He stayed empty stomach every day, which led him to become skinnier each day and just could not take it. He started working with a potter, carried baskets of clay for him for which he was given a big pot made by the potter friend. He used the big pot to beg alms which shocked the villagers.

One fine day, Bheema stayed home with mother Kunti, while his siblings went on out to collect alms for the family. A faint noise of weeping struck Kunti’s ears. It was their landlords. They were crying severely. Kunti who was worried went to check on them leaving Bheema. When asked, the scholar explained to her about Bakasura and his atrocities, to which they were the next victims. They were wailing thinking about their children and were terribly worried about their life as orphans. They explained to Kunti how Bakasura summoned the villagers to bring him his feast and consumed the one who took them. Kunti was terrified and furious at the same time.

Kunti went to Bheema to share this sad story of the villagers and commanded Bheema to teach a lesson to the monster. She assured the landlord that their suffering would end and also said Bheema will visit Bakasura with the food in their place. Bheema was excited and filled with joy as it meant he’d get to do two of his favourite things; Eat all the food and fight a demon.

The next day, Bheema set out exhilarated in the thoughts of all the great food he’d get to eat and of course the fight. He began to ride the bullock cart jam-packed with several kinds of lip-smacking fruits and meat. Without any second thoughts Bheema began to feast on them. He gobbled up the food like he hadn’t eaten in days (like a “Bakasura” as colloquially described people who eat fast). He had no fear about the deadly demon Bakasura in spite of hearing all the horrid stories about the terrible acts of the Rakshas. Bheema ended up finishing the whole cart of food just half way through the journey.

Bakasura sees the cart from afar, hungry as ever waiting eagerly to eat the food and the man carrying it. The cart gets nearer and Bakasura starts noticing something unusual. He sees that the cart is totally empty. Enraged by what he saw, Bakasura wanted to jump on Bheema and rip him apart. Bheema reached Bakasura and yelled out “Baka, Baka” tauntingly. Bakasura went mad and jumped over Bheema and thus started a battle between them. They fought fiercely. Bheema used his weapon “the gadha” and smashed Bakasura black and blue. Bakasura was shocked at Bheema’s power and couldn’t hold him back. Bheema beat Bakasura to death.

Bheema returned to Ekachakra nagara with empty cart and the happiest news for the villagers. He went to the landlord’s house and told them they can have no fear about the Demon then onwards. The scholar and his family were ever so grateful to Bheema and his mother Kunti. They thanked and honoured them.

Kunti asked the scholar not to tell the villagers about Bhima killing Bakasura as that would disclose the Pandavas’ identity. The indebted landlord assured that he’d keep the secret in return for the greatest favour. The people were told a Brahman with great powers used mantras to kill Bakasura.

The people of Ekachakra nagar lived happily once again.