After the game of dice, the Pandavas lived in exile with Draupadi. Bhim knew his wife and four brothers were experiencing a very painful time in their lives. He decided to cheer them up and cook something special for them. He knew a delicious recipe made of rare leafy vegetables could only be found inside the dense forest.
Bhim was very brave and powerful. Nothing could stand in the way of his loved ones' happiness.
"I will be back in the evening. And I will cook dinner for you all," he said to Draupadi before leaving.
Bhim made his way inside the dense forest behind their hut. The howling and grunting of wild animals didn't scare him. He kept on walking stealthily, careful not to attack wild animals.
Finally, he reached a harvest of leafy vegetables beside a lake. He plucked enough for his family, kept it inside a cloth, and tied it crossbody.
Tracing his path back to his hut, he saved himself from tumbling upon something. He realised it was the tail of a monkey man sleeping under a tree.
"Hey, you, remove your tail from my way," Bhima yelled angrily at the monkey-man.
Monekey-man opened his eyes with struggle and begged, "I am very old, and my condition doesn't allow me to move. You move my tail."
"So, you want great Bhima to touch your tail. How insulting!' fumed Bhima.
Monkey man smiled and replied, 'Why does great Bhima not have the strength to remove my tail from his way?'
Bhima realised Monkey Man was challenging him, and he could never pass a challenge.
Bhima gulped down his anger as he had to reach home on time to fulfil his promise to Draupadi.
Angrily, he touched the monkey-man's tail and tried to lift it. Sweat beads formed on his forehead as he carried on his futile attempt. He realised his mistake that the monkey man was a divine energy.
Bhima prayed, "Hey, monkey-man, I have realised my mistake. Please come in your true form."
Hanuman smiled and appeared in his true form, blessing Bhima with powers of modesty.
Moral: Never use your power to intimidate the weak.
Happy Reading!
Check out Nisha B Thakur's highly appreciated novel, The Unexpected Trail.