Mb018. Bhima Kills Bakasura Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

MAHABHARATA

Pandavas reduced to penury,
But never were they weary.
Begging food was their routine,
As a custom of a Brahmin.

Into two halves Kunti made it,
One half to Bhima she gave it.
To satisfy his hungry look,
The other half they all took.

Bhima was at home one day,
And his brothers were away
Their food to beg as usual,
From their friendly circle.

A loud cry they heard,
From their Land Lord,
Kunti went there inside
And asked why he cried?

"Mother, this is a sorrow
From us none can borrow.
There's a cave near the city,
Where lives Baha, the mighty."

"Our Ruler ran out of fear,
No one to protect us here.
In this state we are thrown,
For years more than thirteen."

"Men, women and children
He killed them one by one,
To appease his anger
And satisfy his hunger."

"To stop this killing spree
We all proposed to agree
That we send once a week,
A basket full of food and drink."

"From a house, by turn, one,
Should take it near his den,
In a cart with two bullocks,
To unload near the hillocks."

"He devoured every thing,
Left on the floor nothing,
Except the basket and cart,
For a week he then slept."

"Today is our turn to send
No escape from this trend.
My wife wants to go there,
But whom I can now spare? "

Kunti consoled the Land Lord.
And she gave him a word,
That Bhima was the answer,
To end this menace for ever.

Bhima jumped on his feet,
To face this challenging feat.
He purposely went there late,
And the cart load of food he ate.

It was a scene of terror
And a moment of horror,
As the giant came in anger,
With his unbearable hunger.

A severe fight went for hours,
Rubbles hurled like showers.
Trees went up like missiles.
Dusts raised upto the skies.

Finally, Bhima knocked him down,
Baha fell dead like a stone.
This was a happy occasion
For every weary citizen.