Devalok
Legend · 1 telling · West India

The grandson at the pond

The exiled Pandavas reach the shrine of Chandika at Guptakshetra; Bhima washes in the goddess's pond, its guardian Barbarika forbids it, and they fight without knowing each other. Barbarika is about to throw Bhima into the sea when Rudra's voice names him his grandfather; in remorse he leaps into the sea and the goddesses save him.

Who is in it

Places: Guptakshetra (Mahi-sagara-sangama), Bhimeshvara linga

The story, beat by beat

  1. The exiled Pandavas reach Chandika's shrine; Bhima washes in the sacred pond.
  2. Barbarika forbids it; they argue the rules of holy water.
  3. They fight; Barbarika carries Bhima to throw him in the sea.
  4. Rudra tells him it is his grandfather; he begs forgiveness and Bhima praises him.
  5. He leaps into the sea; the goddesses save him and tell him he will die by Krishna's hand.
  6. He is named Chandila; Bhima installs Bhimeshvara.

family pride remorse forgiveness

How it is told, place by place

Base telling · Primary text (translation)

Skanda Purana, Kaumarika Khanda 64

West India · Guptakshetra, Gujarat All traditions

In their exile the Pandavas and Draupadi come to the shrine of Chandika. Bhima, thirsty, washes his face, hands and feet in the goddess's pond though Yudhishthira warns him. Barbarika, who does not know him, forbids it, citing the rules of still and flowing water. Bhima will not go; a brick is thrown and they fight with fists, knees and heels. Barbarika carries the exhausted Bhima toward the sea to throw him in, until Rudra's voice tells him this is his grandfather. He falls at Bhima's feet; Bhima embraces him and praises his sense of duty. Barbarika leaps into the sea; Siddhambika and the fourteen goddesses with Rudra hold him, say a wrong done unknowingly is no sin, and tell him he is to die at Krishna's hands. He is named Chandila, and Bhima installs the Bhimeshvara linga.

Skanda Purana, Kaumarika Khanda 64, The greatness of Bhimeshvara, tr. G. V. Tagare (Wisdom Library); Barbarika (Bharatkosh, bharatdiscovery.org, citing Bharatiya Sanskriti Kosh vol. 2, ed. Devendra Mishra, p. 525)

Sources: Skanda Purana, Kaumarika Khanda 64, The greatness of Bhimeshvara, tr. G. V. Tagare (Wisdom Library); Barbarika (Bharatkosh, bharatdiscovery.org, citing Bharatiya Sanskriti Kosh vol. 2, ed. Devendra Mishra, p. 525)

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