Kirmira the Demon
“Revenge seeks the forest. A brother's rage meets a warrior's strength.”
Story Summary
In the early days of exile, the Pandavas face a threat from the past. Kirmira, a powerful rakshasa and brother of the demon Hidimba whom Bhima defeated years ago, has been tracking them through the forest. Consumed by revenge, Kirmira attacks the Pandavas' camp at night, seeking to avenge his brother's death. Bhima recognizes the connection and steps forward alone to face the demon. What follows is a brutal battle of strength—Kirmira using dark magic and transformation, Bhima relying on his divine power from Vayu, the wind god. The fight tests both warriors to their limits, but Bhima's righteous strength prevails. This early forest encounter establishes that dangers exist in exile, but the Pandavas have the strength to overcome them.