Curse & boon: Mahabli Ghatotkacha's story.
How Ghatotkacha married Kamkanta? who was Demon Moora's daughter? Indian mythology stories for kids. mythology stories in English. Moral mythology stories for kids. Ancient indian mythology stories When Bhima’s son, Ghatotkacha married Kaamkanta
During the time of the Mahabharata, after the Pandavas won Draupadi, the daughter of King Drupada, they established the city of Indraprastha with the permission of Dhritarashtra. The Pandavas lived there safely under the protection of Lord Vasudeva (Krishna).
One day, while the Pandavas were seated in their royal assembly, Bhima’s son, Ghatotkacha, arrived. Upon seeing him, the five Pandava brothers and the mighty Lord Krishna stood up and embraced him warmly. Ghatotkacha, with great humility, bowed to everyone. Then, King Yudhishthira seated him on his lap, blessed him, and affectionately asked, "Son, where have you been all this time? Have you committed any offense against the gods, Brahmins, cows, or holy sages? Is your devotion to Lord Krishna and is still intact? Is your mother, Hidimba, who loves you dearly, doing well?"
In response, Ghatotkacha said, "O King, after my uncle's death, I was placed on the throne, and I roam the world, punishing the wicked. My mother, Hidimba, is well and currently engaged in divine penance. She has commanded me to always remain devoted to my father, the Pandavas. Upon hearing this, I have come from the summit of Mount Meru to offer my respects to you. I seek your guidance to appoint me to a great task, for the greatest virtue is for a son to follow his father's commands, which leads to fame in this world and victory in the afterlife."
Hearing this, Yudhishthira replied, "Son, you are indeed our devoted follower and helper. Just as your mother is devoted to us, you too have the same devotion. Your mother, Hidimba, has sacrificed her happiness to engage in penance, which is admirable."
Yudhishthira then turned to Lord Krishna and said, "O Lord, you know Ghatotkacha was born to Bhima. He grew into a young man instantly after birth. I wish for him to have a suitable wife. Can you, who knows everything, suggest someone?"
After a moment of reflection, Lord Krishna said, "O King, I know of a beautiful woman who resides in Pragjyotishpur. She is the daughter of the demon Mura, who I killed. After her father’s death, she came to fight me. She is extremely powerful and appeared very fearsome. We engaged in a fierce battle, but even my arrows were cut down by her sword. I was about to use my Sudarshan Chakra when Goddess Kamakhya intervened and said, 'You must not kill her, for I have granted her invincible weapons.'
At this, I stopped fighting, and Kamakhya took her into her arms, saying, 'You should stop fighting, for this is Lord Krishna, who is invincible in battle. No one, not even Lord Shiva, can defeat him. He will be your future father-in-law, as you are destined to marry Bhima’s son.' Hearing this, she bowed to me, and I blessed her, saying she would marry Ghatotkacha."
Yudhishthira hesitated, saying, "What is the use of her virtues if she has one great flaw? How can we put Bhima’s beloved son in such a dangerous situation when he does not even speak properly?"
But Bhima intervened, saying, "Lord Krishna's words are always true and beneficial. I believe Ghatotkacha will soon win her over."
Arjuna agreed, adding, "Goddess Kamakhya has said that Bhima’s son will marry her, so I think Ghatotkacha should go there."
Lord Krishna then asked Ghatotkacha for his opinion. Ghatotkacha humbly replied, "It is not right for me to speak of my own abilities before my elders, but I will do my best to bring honor to my family."
With that, Ghatotkacha sought the blessings of his ancestors and left for Pragjyotishpur with his three servants: Suryaksha, Balakhya, and Mahodara. Upon reaching the city, he saw a magnificent golden palace in a vast garden, towering a thousand floors high.
At the entrance, he met a maid named Karnapravarana. Ghatotkacha politely asked her, "Where is Mura’s daughter? I have come from afar to seek her."
The maid hurried to inform Mura’s daughter, Kantaka (also called Mourvi), saying, "O lady, a handsome young guest awaits you at the door, a man whose beauty surpasses any in the three worlds."
Kantaka replied, "Bring him to me at once. Perhaps, by the grace of fate, he is the one to fulfill my vow."Upon hearing Maurvi's message, the maid went to Ghatotkacha and said, "Lustful man! Go quickly to that death-like woman." Laughing at this, Ghatotkacha left his bow there and entered the house. Seeing the demoness glowing like lightning, he thought, "Ah! My father-like Krishna has indeed chosen the right woman for me." Thinking this, he said to Maurvi, "O heartless woman with a heart as hard as a diamond! I have come to your house as a guest. Therefore, give me a proper welcome as it is customary for noble people."
Hearing this from Hidimba's son, Maurvi, astonished by his form, scorned herself and said, "Nobleman! You have come here in vain. Leave while you are still alive, or if you desire me, quickly tell me a story. If your story can confuse me, I will submit to you, and then I will serve you." Upon hearing this, Ghatotkacha, remembering Lord Krishna, who is the subject of all stories in the universe, began to narrate:
"Imagine a child is born from a wife. As he grows up, he becomes lustful and has a daughter, but his wife dies. The father then raises his little daughter himself. When the daughter matures and her body fully develops, the father’s mind becomes filled with desire for her. The sinful man tells his daughter, 'Dear, you are not my daughter, but my neighbor’s daughter. I have raised you for a long time to make you my wife. So now, fulfill my desire.' The girl accepts his words. She accepts him as her husband, and he takes her as his wife. Later, they have a daughter. Now tell me, what will this daughter be to him—his daughter or his granddaughter? If you have the strength, answer my question quickly."
Hearing this question, Maurvi thought deeply but couldn’t decide the answer. Defeated by the question, Maurvi decided to use her power. As soon as she stood up to grab her sword, Ghatotkacha, moving swiftly, grabbed her by the hair with his left hand and threw her to the ground. He placed his left foot on her neck and, holding a scissor in his right hand, considered cutting off her nose. Maurvi struggled greatly, but in the end, exhausted, she said faintly, "Lord! I am defeated by your question and your strength. I bow to you. Now release me. I am your servant and will do whatever you command."
Ghatotkacha said, "If this is so, I will release you." Saying this, he let her go. After being released, Maurvi bowed to him again and said, "Great warrior! I know you are a mighty hero. No one in the three worlds can match your strength. You are the master of sixty crore demons, and Kamakhya Devi had told me all this. I now remember everything. I surrender this entire house, my body, and my servants at your feet. My lord! Command me. What order should I follow?"
Ghatotkacha replied, "Maurvi! It is not right for a woman to marry secretly when her father and brothers are alive. So now, take me to Indraprastha quickly. This is the custom of our family. I will marry you in Indraprastha with the permission of the elders."
Maurvi, taking many gifts with her, carried Ghatotkacha to Indraprastha. There, Lord Krishna and the Pandavas welcomed Ghatotkacha, and in an auspicious moment, Bhima's son married Maurvi. Both Kunti and Draupadi were very pleased to see the bride.
After the marriage, King Yudhishthira honored Ghatotkacha and instructed him to return to his kingdom with his wife. Obeying the king's order, Hidimba's son went to his capital in Hidimba Forest. There, he lived happily with Maurvi for many years. Later, in due course, a brilliant son, shining like the sun, was born from Maurvi’s womb. This child, upon birth, instantly grew to adulthood. He then said to his parents, "I bow to both of you. The first gurus of a child are the parents. Therefore, I wish to take the name given by both of you."
Ghatotkacha embraced his son and said, "Son, since your hair is curly like a barbarian's, your name will be 'Barbarika.'"
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