Editing Bhima (section)

===The Kurukshetra War===
Following the Pandavas' return from their exile, the [[Kaurava|Kauravas]] refused to restore their share of the kingdom. This refusal led to the inevitability of the [[Kurukshetra War]]. Bhima played a significant role in the events leading up to the war and was a key combatant throughout the eighteen days of conflict, which are documented in four books of the Mahabharata-[[Bhisma Parva]], [[Drona Parva]], [[Karna Parva]] and [[Shalya Parva]].

Before the war commenced, discussions were held among the Pandavas and their allies regarding the strategy and leadership of the army. Bhima suggested that [[Shikhandi]], who had the ability to challenge [[Bhishma]] due to Bhishma's oath not to fight against a woman or someone perceived as a woman, should lead the Pandava forces. However, [[Yudhishthira]] and [[Arjuna]] decided to appoint [[Dhrishtadyumna]] as the commander-in-chief.<ref name=":1" /> Bhima's chariot was driven by his charioteer, Vishoka, and bore a flag with a gigantic lion in silver, its eyes made of [[lapis lazuli]]. His chariot was yoked to horses described as being as black as bears or black antelopes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mahabharata Text|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07023.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Kapoor|editor-first=Subodh|title=The Indian encyclopaedia : biographical, historical, religious, administrative, ethnological, commercial and scientific|year=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788177552713|page=4462|edition=1st}}</ref> Bhima wielded a celestial bow named Vayavya, gifted to him by his divine father, Vayu, and also possessed the massive conch named Paundra. Additionally, he wielded a colossal mace, said to have the strength of a hundred thousand maces, which had been presented to him by [[Mayasura]].

Before hostilities broke out, [[Krishna]] sought a final compromise to avoid war. During these peace talks, Bhima expressed his opinion that peace was preferable to war ([[Udyoga Parva]], Chapter 74). However, he also asserted that he was prepared for battle and spoke confidently about his prowess in the upcoming conflict (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 76). When [[Duryodhana]] sent [[Uluka]] with a message to the Pandavas, Bhima responded with an insulting reply, rejecting any form of submission or negotiation (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 163).<ref name=":1" />
====Bhishma Parva (1st - 11th days)====
[[File:Bhima slaughtering his enemies.jpg|thumb|A 19th century manuscript depicting Bhima slaughtering his enemies.]]
On the first day of the [[Kurukshetra War]], Bhima confronted [[Duryodhana]] in a direct duel. The clash between the two warriors set the stage for the fierce rivalry that would continue throughout the battle (Chapter 45, Verse 19). During this early phase, Bhima's war cry was described as so powerful that it caused the world to shudder (Chapter 44, Verse 8).
Bhima then engaged in combat with the forces of the [[Kalinga kingdom|Kalingas]]. In this engagement, he killed the Kalinga prince Shakradeva (Chapter 54, Verse 24). Continuing his assault on the Kalinga army, Bhima also killed another key warrior, Bhanuman (Chapter 54, Verse 39). In the same battle, Bhima targeted the chariot of King Shrutayus, slaying warriors named Satyadeva and Shalya (distinct from another warrior also named [[Shalya]]), who were guarding the chariot wheels (Chapter 54, Verse 76). Following these encounters, Bhima proceeded to kill Ketuman (Chapter 54, Verse 77).
In addition to fighting individual warriors, Bhima turned his attention to the Kaurava elephant division. He decimated the division, causing a significant number of casualties and resulting in what was described as rivers of blood flowing on the battlefield (Chapter 54, Verse 103).<ref name=":1" />

Later in the war, Bhima once again faced Duryodhana in combat. In this confrontation, he successfully defeated Duryodhana (Chapter 58, Verse 16). Bhima also engaged [[Bhishma]], the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army, in combat on multiple occasions (Chapter 63, Verse 1). This battle was marked by intensity, with Bhima attempting to overpower Bhishma, though Bhishma remained undefeated.
Bhima then targeted the Kaurava brothers in a specific engagement, where he killed eight sons of [[Dhritarashtra]]. The names of those killed in this battle were Senapati, Jarasandha, Sushena, Ugra, Virabahu, Bhima, Bhimaratha, and Sulocana (Chapter 64, Verse 32). In another subsequent battle, Bhima fought against Bhishma once more (Chapter 72, Verse 21). He continued to engage Duryodhana, defeating him again in another encounter (Chapter 79, Verse 11).<ref name=":1" />

In the course of the war, Bhima defeated [[Kritavarma]] (Chapter 82, Verse 60). Later, in his engagement with Bhishma, Bhima killed Bhishma's charioteer (Chapter 88, Verse 12). Following this, Bhima killed eight more sons of Dhritarashtra in another fierce confrontation (Chapter 88, Verse 13). Bhima's clashes also included a direct engagement with [[Drona|Dronacharya]]. In this battle, Bhima struck Dronacharya with such force that the preceptor fell unconscious (Chapter 94, Verse 18). Bhima continued his assault on the Kaurava brothers, killing nine more sons of Dhritarashtra (Chapter 96, Verse 23). In another encounter, Bhima faced Bahlika, whom he defeated in combat (Chapter 104, Verse 18). He also engaged [[Bhurishravas]] in a duel (Chapter 110, Verse 10). Bhima's continued offensive efforts led to the killing of ten [[Maharathis]] (great chariot warriors) of the Kaurava army in a single battle (Chapter 113).<ref name=":1" />

====Drona Parva (12th - 15th days)====
[[File:Sadiq, bhima uccide l'elefante asvatthama, india del nord, periodo mogul, 1598.jpg|thumb|An illustration from [[Razmnama]] (c. 1598 CE) depicting a scene of Drona Parva{{mdash}}Bhima slaying the elephant Ashvathamma.]]
[[Dhritarashtra]], the Kaurava patriarch, acknowledged Bhima's prowess in the [[Drona Parva]] (Chapter 10). Bhima fought with Vivinsati in a combat engagement (Chapter 14, Verse 27). He then entered into a club fight with [[Shalya]], defeating him (Chapter 15, Verse 8). Following this, Bhima fought with Durmarshana (Chapter 25, Verse 5). In this phase of the war, Bhima also killed Anga, the King of the [[Mleccha]] tribe (Chapter 26, Verse 17).<ref name=":1" />

Bhima's confrontation with [[Bhagadatta|Bhagadatta's]] elephant was a notable encounter in which he was defeated and forced to retreat temporarily (Chapter 26, Verse 19). Later, he targeted [[Karna]]'s forces, attacking them and killing fifteen warriors in the process (Chapter 32, Verse 32). Bhima then fought against Vivinsati, Chitrasena, and Vikarṇa (Chapter 96, Verse 31).
In another engagement, Bhima fought [[Alambusha]] and emerged victorious (Chapter 106, Verse 16). Bhima then clashed with [[Kritavarma]] (Chapter 114, Verse 67). During a moment of distress, Bhima consoled [[Yudhishthira]], who was facing a crisis of confidence (Chapter 126, Verse 32). Bhima confronted [[Drona]] again and was able to defeat him (Chapter 127, Verse 42). Following this battle, he killed a group of warriors, including Kundabhedi, Sushena, Dirghalochana, Vrindaraka, Abhaya, Raudrakarma, Durvimocana, Vinda, Anuvinda, Suvarma, and Sudarshana (Chapter 127, Verse 60). In a display of combat skill, Bhima threw Dronacharya off his chariot eight times (Chapter 128, Verse 18). Bhima engaged [[Karna]] in battle and succeeded in defeating him (Chapter 122). In a separate battle, Bhima killed Dussala, another warrior (Chapter 129). He later faced Karna once again (Chapter 131). In subsequent engagements, Bhima killed Durjaya (Chapter 133, Verse 13) and Durmukha (Chapter 134, Verse 20). He continued his campaign against the Kaurava brothers, killing Durmarshana, Dussaha, Durmada, Durdhara, and Jaya (Chapter 135, Verse 30).<ref name=":1" />

Bhima fought Karna repeatedly, destroying many of his bows during their encounters (Chapter 139, Verse 19). In an aggressive maneuver, Bhima attempted to capture Karna by jumping into his chariot (Chapter 139, Verse 74). However, Bhima recalled [[Arjuna]]'s vow to kill Karna and chose to spare his life instead.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07135.htm | title=The Mahabharata, Book 7: Drona Parva: Jayadratha-Vadha Parva: Section CXXXVIII}}</ref> Subsequently, Bhima killed the prince of [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)|Kalinga]] by thrashing and kicking him (Chapter 155, Verse 24). He continued his offensive against key warriors, pushing and beating Jayarata, Dhruva, Durmada, and Dushkarna to death (Chapter 155). Bhima also rendered the great hero Somadatta unconscious with his club (Chapter 157, Verse 10). Bhima encountered [[Vikarna]] along with seven Kaurava brothers . In the battle that ensued, Vikarna was killed. Bhima grieved Vikarna's death by praising his noble deeds.<ref><{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 7: Drona Parva: Jayadratha-Vadha Parva Parva: Section CXXXVI|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07133.htm|access-date=2022-11-08|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref> In this chapter, Bhima also killed [[Bahlika (Mahabharata)|Bahlika]] (Chapter 157, Verse 11)<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 7: Drona parva : Section 188|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01002.htm|access-date=2021-08-11|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref> and other warriors including Nagadatta, Dridharatha, Mahabahu, Ayobhuja, Dridha, Suhastha, Viraja, Pramathi, Ugra, and Anuyayi (Chapter 157, Verse 16).<ref name=":1" />

On the 15th day of the war, Bhima attacked [[Duryodhana]] and defeated him after a fierce exchange.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07162.htm | title=The Mahabharata, Book 7: Drona Parva: Ghatotkacha-badha Parva: Section CLXV}}</ref> Bhima's son [[Ghatotkacha]] was killed by Karna, leading to Bhima lament over his death.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 7: Drona parva : Section 188|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07185.htm|access-date=2021-08-11}}</ref> Bhima then killed the elephant named Ashvatthama as part of a strategic deception to spread the false news that Drona's son, [[Ashwatthama|Ashvatthama]], had been killed (Chapter 190, Verse 15). This ruse led to Drona's surrender and eventual downfall. Bhima then fought against the [[Narayanastra]], a celestial weapon deployed by Ashvatthama (Chapter 199, Verse 45). During this encounter, Bhima's charioteer was killed (Chapter 199, Verse 45).<ref name=":1" /> Bhima was the only warrior who refused to submit to the invincible Narayanastra weapon and had to dragged to his safety by [[Arjuna]] and [[Krishna]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07197.htm | title=The Mahabharata, Book 7: Drona Parva: Drona-vadha Parva: Section CCI}}</ref>

====Karna Parva (16th-17th days)====
[[File:Bhima drinks blood.jpg|thumb|A print showing Bhima drinking Dushasana's blood, by Dharmik Picture House Lahore, 1930s]]
In the [[Karna Parva]], Bhima killed Kshemadhurti, the King of Kalata, in another battle (Chapter 12, Verse 25). He then fought Ashvatthama, but was struck down unconscious in this encounter (Chapter 15). Bhima killed Bhanusena, the son of [[Karna]], in a subsequent duel (Chapter 48, Verse 27). He then killed Vivitsu, Vikata, Sama, Kratha, Nanda, and Upananda in another engagement (Chapter 51, Verse 12).<ref name=":1" />

Bhima once again defeated [[Duryodhana]] in battle (Chapter 61, Verse 53). During this phase of the war, he took upon himself the responsibility of the battle's outcome and directed Arjuna to guard Yudhishthira (Chapter 65, Verse 10). Bhima also defeated [[Shakuni]] in combat (Chapter 81, Verse 24). He engaged Duryodhana in another fierce encounter (Chapters 82 and 83).<ref name=":1" />

In a critical moment of the war, Bhima killed [[Dushasana]], fulfilling his vow and symbolically drinking the blood from Dushasana's chest after ripping out his limbs and tearing his chest open. (Chapter 83, Verse 28).<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva: Section LXXXVIII|url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08083.htm}}</ref> Following this, Bhima killed ten more sons of Dhritarashtra: Nisangi, Kavaci, Pasi, Dandadhara, Dhanurgraha, Alolupa, Sala, Sandha, Vatavega, and Suvarcas (Chapter 84, Verse 2).Bhima continued his assault on the Kaurava forces, killing 25,000 infantrymen single-handedly in one engagement (Chapter 93, Verse 28).<ref name=":1" />

====Shalya Parva (18th day)====
[[File:Bhima hurled his mace with fury.jpg|left|thumb|An illustration by Evelyn Paul depicting the mace duel between Bhima and Duryodhana, c. 1913]]
In the [[Shalya Parva]], Bhima defeated [[Kritavarma]] in combat (Chapter 11, Verse 45). He then fought [[Shalya]] in a club fight (Chapter 12, Verse 12). Bhima once again defeated [[Duryodhana]] (Chapter 16, Verse 42). In a subsequent battle, he killed the charioteer and horses of Shalya (Chapter 17, Verse 27).
Bhima then killed another 25,000 infantrymen (Chapter 19, Verse 49). He targeted the sons of Dhritarashtra, killing eleven more of them: Durmarshana, Shrutanta, Jaitra, Bhuribala, Ravi, Jayatsena, Sujata, Durvisha, Durvimocana, Duspradharsha, and Shrutavarma (Chapter 27, Verse 49).<ref name=":1" />

In the climactic battle of the war, Bhima engaged Duryodhana in a mace duel. [[Duryodhana]] had gone and hid under a lake. The [[Pandava|Pandavas]] brothers and [[Krishna]] thus went to the lake and taunted Duryodhana off his refuge. Yudhishthira proposed a final challenge to Duryodhana, to a battle against any of the Pandavas under any weapon of Duryodhana's desire. [[Yudhishthira]] also promised Duryodhana that should he win, he would reign as the next King of Hastinapura. After given the option to choose the opponent, Duryodhana chose Bhima as his opponent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 9: Shalya Parva: Section XXXII |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09032.htm}}</ref>

Though Bhima had superior strength, Duryodhana had superior skills. Krishna reminded Arjuna about Bhima's oath to smash Duryodhana's thigh during the duel. Arjuna signaled to Bhima by slapping his thigh. Understanding that sign, Bhima threw his mace towards Duryodhana's thigh while the latter was in mid-air during a jump.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 9: Shalya Parva: Section 58 |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09058.htm}}</ref> After defeating Duryodhana, Bhima taunted Duryodhana by kicking his head repeatedly and dancing madly.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 9: Shalya Parva: Section 59 |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09059.htm}}</ref> Enraged at this sight, [[Balarama]] grabbing his plough attempted to attack Bhima, but was stopped by Krishna. Krishna convinced his brother by reminding him of Bhima's oath and the encroaching onset of the Kali Yuga.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 9: Shalya Parva: Section 60 |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09060.htm}}</ref>