The Tale of Bhima: Poison Against Poison

In the ancient kingdom of **Hastinapura**, there lived the mighty **Pandavas** and **Kauravas**, cousins who were raised together under the guidance of elders like Bhishma and Drona. Among the Pandavas was **Bhima**, the second brother, known for his immense strength and courage. Bhima was particularly fearless, and he stood out due to his powerful physique, which was a source of pride for the Pandavas but envy for their cousin **Duryodhana**, the eldest Kaurava.

Duryodhana harbored deep jealousy toward the Pandavas, especially Bhima, whose strength and valor intimidated him. One day, Duryodhana devised a cruel plan to eliminate Bhima and secure his position as the strongest in Hastinapura. He invited Bhima and the other cousins to a riverside picnic, pretending to show brotherly affection.

During the outing, Duryodhana secretly mixed a powerful poison into Bhima’s food and drink. Unaware of Duryodhana’s intentions, Bhima enjoyed the food, and as the poison took effect, he began to feel dizzy and weak. Taking advantage of the situation, Duryodhana, with the help of his brothers, tied up the unconscious Bhima and threw him into the river, believing that the poison would kill him and the waters would carry away his body.

Bhima sank deep into the river, and the powerful poison affected him severely. However, the river carried him to the realm of the **Nagas** (serpent beings) who lived in the depths of the water. The Nagas discovered Bhima and, recognizing him as a powerful human, tried to wake him. But as they inspected him, they noticed he had been poisoned.

To counter the poison in Bhima’s body, the Nagas administered their own powerful antidote, a **special poison** derived from the venom of the Nagas, which acted as an antidote to the deadly poison given by Duryodhana. As they treated him, Bhima not only recovered but also absorbed the potency of the Nagas’ venomous antidote, which further enhanced his strength beyond human limits.

The Nagas, impressed by Bhima’s resilience and learning of his royal lineage, decided to grant him an extraordinary gift. They offered him a **nectar of strength** from their own realm, a divine elixir that could grant him the strength of a thousand elephants. Bhima drank the nectar and emerged from the river even mightier and more powerful than before.

When Bhima returned to Hastinapura, the Kauravas, especially Duryodhana, were shocked and terrified. Instead of seeing Bhima weakened or harmed, they saw him with renewed vigor, his strength greater than ever. Duryodhana’s plan had not only failed but had backfired, as Bhima now possessed a strength that surpassed anything the Kauravas could match.

The incident became a significant lesson for the Kauravas, though it didn’t stop their rivalry. Bhima’s survival and increased strength fueled Duryodhana’s envy further, eventually leading to the greater conflict between the Pandavas and Kauravas in the epic battle of Kurukshetra. However, Bhima emerged as a formidable warrior, unshaken by any challenge, ready to face any opponent.

—

**Moral of the Story:**

The story of Bhima and the poison teaches us that **evil intentions can often backfire**, and true strength lies in resilience and purity of heart. Bhima’s survival against poison and his newfound strength symbolize that those with a pure heart and righteous path often emerge stronger from trials. The tale reminds us that jealousy and malicious acts ultimately lead to one’s own downfall, while those who stay true to their values receive unexpected blessings and strength.