Come, hear the story

Come. Come close. Sit by my fire. Feel its warmth. Do not sit so far away. I am an old man, my voice is raspy and my tone is soft. I will tire if you do not come forward.

There you are. The flame dances upon us like Suyra dances in the sky. I am an old sage. My name is not important. Call me Rishi, sage, if you require me to bear a title. I wish to tell you the tale of Hidimbi.

Oh, you have not heard of her? Do not mind my laugh. I am not surprised. She is more important to the true story of the Pandavas and the War of Kurukshetra than you know. Mind you, I say true story.

Heed not, the myths you hear of the Great Bhima. Stories are often left to be mistold by the winners. I believe in Satya. Honesty. I keep Hidimbi's truth alive and her story told.

You do not know that Hidimbi broke her own heart in two so that she could save Bihma? She chose love over blood and lost everything? Oh. My own heart bleeds to think of Hidimbi's pain. Of course you do not know how Hidimbi broke her heart.

You do not know that Hidimbi gave birth to twins? The great giant Ghatokacha and the man-eater Laghu. You do not know that Bhima slayed his own son and forced the other to be his soldier? Of course you do not know of Hidimbi's twins.

You do not know that Bhima's betrayal of Hidimbi changed history? How his selfishness turned the will of the gods? Of course you do not know of Bhima's betrayal. You do not know of how he slayed the great and lovely Hidimbi to hide his shame.

Now, come closer. Listen deeply. Sit by my fire. For you will know.