BHIMA :- ONE OF THE MOST HANDSOME WARRIORS OF HIS TIME.

People always underrate Bhima's beauty but Mahabharata never underrates his beauty. His beauty is repeatedly glorified there. He was one of the most handsome men of his era. This post is just a tribute to Bhima's beauty 

Let's have a look at some of narratives about Bhima's handsomeness

1) Bhima's description by Hidimba

Adi Parva, Chapter No.139, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

‘On seeing Bhimasena, whose shoulders were like a shala tree and who was unrivalled on earth in his beauty, the rakshasi was filled with desire. She thought, “This dark, mighty- armed, lion-shouldered, greatly radiant, conch-necked and lotus-eyed man is the right husband for me

2) Bhima's description by Vaishyampyana

A) Vana Parva, Chapter No. 146, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

Vayu’s son, the handsome Kounteya, proceeded happily, as if in sport, tearing away many nets of creepers with the force of his thighs. The one with the beautiful eyes wished to do that which would bring pleasure to his beloved. The youth was as tall as a golden palm and his body was like that of a lion. He was as strong as a mad elephant and he possessed the speed of a mad elephant. His copper-hued eyes were like that of a mad elephant and he was capable of withstanding a mad elephant.

Points to be noted here :- 

- Handsome

- Beautiful eyes

-As tall as a golden palm

- His body was like that of a lion

B) Vana Parva, Chapter No. 146, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

Pandu’s handsome and immensely strong son then swiftly entered the forest and filled all the directions with his roar. Hearing that terrible roar let out by

Bhimasena, all the animals and birds in the forest were frightened and fled elsewhere. 

C) Vana Parva, Chapter No. 150, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

Proceeding fast, the handsome one saw bucks with does in the forest. They had grass in their mouths and their darting eyes looked at him. With great valour, Bhimasena entered the mountain that

was infested with buffaloes, boars and tigers, 

D)  Vana Parva, Chapter No.157, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

The scorcher of enemies was maddened by Droupadi’s words. The mighty-armed one could not stand it, like an excellent bull that has been beaten. His gait was

like that of a lion or a bull. He was handsome and noble. His complexion was like that of gold. He was spirited and strong, powerful and proud. The brave Pandava’s eyes were red and his shoulders were wide. He was like a maddened elephant in his valour. His teeth were

like a lion’s and his shoulders were expansive. He was as tall as a young shala tree. The great- souled one was beautiful in all his limbs. His neck was like a conch shell and his arms were huge. 

Points to be noted here

- Handsome

- Gold complexion

- Red eyes

- Wide and expansive shoulders

-  Teeth were like a lion's

- Beautiful in all his limbs

- Huge arms

-   His neck was like a comch shell

E ) Vana Parva, Chapter No.157, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

All the beings then saw the handsome Pandava enveloped by the rakshasas, like the sun with masses of clouds. But just as the sun penetrates everything with its rays, the mighty-armed and powerful one, with truth as his valour, penetrated all of them with his arrows.

3) Bhima's description by Yudhisthira

Sabha Parva, Chapter No. 18, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

This handsome Vrikodara is supreme among all strong ones. What can this

immensely famous and valorous one not accomplish when he is with the two of you? 

4) Bhima's description by his descendant (Nahusha)

 Vana Parva, Chapter No.176, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

Nahusha to Bhima :-

Look at what fate has wrought on

me. You are my descendant and you are extremely handsome. Therefore, you should not be killed by me. But look at destiny. I will devour you today

5) Bhima's description by King Virata

 Virata Parva, Chapter No.07, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

On seeing the supreme one arrive, the king spoke to the assembled citizens. “Who is this handsome and young one whom we see? He is like a bull among men. His shoulders are as large as that of a lion. I have not seen a man like him before. He is like the sun

6) Kaikeyi describing Bhima

Virata Parva, Chapter No.18, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

Sairandhri is beautiful in form and Ballava is extremely handsome. The minds of women are impossible to fathom. But it seems to me that they are made for each other. Sairandhri is always overcome by pity because they happily live together. They have lived in this royal household for the same duration of time

7) Bhima's description by Sanjaya.

Karna Parva, Chapter No.55, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

There were also chariots and horses that surrounded Vrikodara. O king! O foremost among Bharatas! Having been thus surrounded by valiant ones from

every direction, the brave  one was as beautiful as the moon surrounded by stars. O great king! That supreme of men looked radiant and handsome in the battle, in particular, as beautiful as Vijaya was.

-Avenger