Ghatotkacha’s Role in the Kurukshetra War: Master of Illusions and Terrifying Warrior

Ghatotkacha's unique ability is his illusions. He was a mediocre without illusions, but when he invoked those, he's arguably the second best threat among Pandavas after Arjuna.

On 4th day of the battle, Bhagadatta crushed Bhima in battle. To save his father, Ghatotkacha steps in and cornered Bhagadatta with his army of elephants he conjured using sorcery. Bhagadatta was rendered helpless and basically a sitting duck.

To save Bhagadatta, Bhishma and others approached Ghatotkacha for a duel. Just then he roared aloud. On hearing it, Bhishma was terrified, and also witnessing that the army’s morale was clearly depleted and admitting his inability to fight Ghatotkacha’s Maya, Bhishma calls for a retreat.

Hearing those terrible and loud cries of that roaring elephant, Bhishma, addressing Drona, Suyodhana and all the kings, said,

“The mighty bowman Bhagadatta is battling with the wicked-souled son of Hidimba, and has fallen into great distress. That Rakshasa is of huge form, and the king also is very wrathful. Engaged in battle, they would certainly prove each other's death. Loud shouts were also heard of the rejoicing Pandavas, and the cries of agony of (king Bhagadatta's) terrified elephant. Blessed be you, let us all go there for rescuing the king, for, if left unprotected, in battle, he will soon give up his life. You warriors of great energy, do, as I bid, even now. You sinless ones, make no delay. The combat deepens and becometh fierce, making the hair to stand on end. That commander of a division is high-born, endued with great bravery, and devoted to us. You warriors of unfading glory, it is meet that his rescue should be effected by us.”

Hearing these words of Bhishma, all the kings (of the Kuru army), headed by Bharadwaja's son, desirous of rescuing Bhagadatta, proceeded with great speed to where the ruler of the Pragjyotishas was. Beholding the enemy advancing, the Panchalas with the Pandavas, headed by Yudhishthira, pursued them behind.

Then that prince of Rakshasas, endued with great prowess, beholding that division (of the enemy) advance, uttered a fierce roar, deep as that of thunder. Hearing that roar of his and beholding those battling elephants, Shantanu’s son Bhishma once again addressed Bharadwaja's son and said,

“I do not like to fight (to-day) with the wicked-souled son of Hidimba. Endued with great might and energy, he is at present well-supported. He is incapable of being vanquished now by the wielder of the thunder-bolt himself. Of sureness of aim, he is a great smiter. As regards ourselves, our animals are tired (today). We have also been greatly mangled by Panchalas and the Pandavas. I do not like fresh encounter with the victorious Pandavas. Let the withdrawal of our army, therefore, be proclaimed today. Tomorrow we will fight with the foe.”

Hearing these words of the grandsire, the Kauravas, afflicted with the fear of Ghatotkacha, and availing of the advent of night as a pretext, gladly did what the grandsire said. After the Kauravas had withdrawn, the Pandavas, crowned with victory uttered leonine roars, mingling them with the blare of conches and the notes of pipes.

On 8th day, Duryodhana was attacked by Ghatotkacha, using his tricks. Bhishma, Afraid of tricks sends Drona and others to combat Ghatotkacha. As supreme commander, King Duryodhana's safety was his foremost duty, but he was afraid of Ghatotkacha.

On the 14th day of the war, Karna and Ashwatthama were the only warriors who managed to counter all the tricks of Ghatotkacha and defeat him multiple times, even at night when the Rakshasa’s powers were at their peak. Ashwatthama was far superior, destroying two entire akshouhinis of Rakshasa soldiers that Ghatotkacha had conjured through illusions, killing Ghatotkacha’s son before his eyes, and defeating him twice. Meanwhile, Karna faced more difficulty in his encounter with the Rakshasa’s tricks.

Similar Stories