mid term assignment promt 1 part 2. - Anisha Das

B.      Note- When the Pandavas were in exile, they walked into a forested and mountainous terrain. There Bhima when looking for food for his family meets two Rakshasas - Hidimba and Hidimbi. Who were fighting among themselves, Bhima saves Hidimbi from her brother. And in a few days leaves for Hastinapur and Hidimbi with child. Who she raises herself and names Ghatothkach. Ghatothkach grows up to be half rakshas and half human, capable of many magic tricks like growing and shrinking in size and flying, which he learns from his mother.

At the time of the Great War he is called upon by his father to fight with him, because of his fighting capabilities and expertise in sorcery. He chooses to go against his mother’s wishes and join his father in the war. Here is my take on what Ghatothkach and his mother must have felt when he left for war.

Hidimba

You left me in the middle of a jungle

With a child in me

And I never questioned you,

You said you have to go with your family

Then who was I to you?

Who is this child going to be?

After all these years

Of betrayal and abandonment

You dare call him son

You dare call him to fight

Give his life for you

How could you?

You called him your son

He has a family

He has a wife and children

Do you want him to be another you?

He tries to convince me

To let him go

Fight for the father

Who never bothered to father him

Fight for the father

Who abandoned him

How dare you ask for my child

The only light in my life

For the sake of your family

What will his wife do?

What do we tell the children?

Is your war so important

That you are willing to sacrifice

Your own son

What do you gain from violence?

How many mothers are losing their sons

For the sake of your pride.

 Ghatothkach

Mother dear,

Talk to me

I am not leaving you

I can’t,

The magic in me

Comes from you

You question my loyalty to you

You say that I am not your son

But the magic in me

Comes from you

You taught me how to walk, jump

And fly

You taught me how to raise mountains

And touch the sky

Mother dear,

Let me go save the warrior who saved you

Let me show him my gratitude

Without him

How could I have the magic

That helped me grow?

Without him

How could I have the magic

That I get from you?