The Legendary Sons of Pandavas: Ghatotkacha and Abhimanyu

Ghatotkacha - Pandavas and Kunti were sent to Varanavat by Dhritarashtra at the suggestion of Duryodhana, to burn them alive in Jatugriha- house of lac. Pandavas and Kunti survive the carnage with Vidura’s counsel and go hiding in forest. In the forest they meet Rakshasi Hidimbaa and her brother Hudimba who wanted to feast on them. Bhima kills Hudimba but Hidimbaa was so enamoured by Bhima that she wants union with him. Yudhishthira, Kunti agreed. Bhima put the condition that he would cohabit Hidimbaa till her son was born. After some time Ghatotkacha was born to Hidimbaa and Bhima. Hence Bhima was the father of Ghatotkacha and he was the first son of the Pandavas. Hidimbaa left Bhima after the birth of her son, as promised and went to the Himalayas. Even now, there is. Hidimbaa temple at Manali, Himachal Pradesh.

Ghatotkacha helped Pandavas during their Vanavasa and fought valiantly in the Kurukshetra battle. He was so destructive in the 14th night battle that Karna had to use his Ekaghni Vaan, which he received from Indra in lieu of his Kavach Kundal and preserved for killing Arjuna, to kill Ghatotkacha.

Abhimanyu - Arjun went for twelve years exile for violating marriage rule set for cohusbanding Draupadi. At the last phase of his exileArjuna went to Dwaraka and stayed with friend Krishna. Arjuna was so much enamoured by Subhadra, Krishna’s step sister, that Arjuna abducts her and later they were married at the consent of the Yadavas and Pandavas. Arjuna and Subhadra return to Indraprashtha after the end of Arjuna’s exile. Abhimanyu was born to Subhadra and Arjuna at Indraprashtha. So Arjuna was the father of Abhimanyu.

After the dice game, when Pandavas and Draupadi went for twelve year forest exile Krishna took Subhadra and Abhimanyu to Dwaraka where Abhimanyu was trained by Krisjna.

During the Ajnatvasa of Pandavas in the Matsya kingdom, Arjuna lived as eunuch Brihannala in the ladies quarter where he taught music and dance to Uttara, daughter of King Virata, and other girls. Arjun (Brihannala) fought single handed and won the battle against Kurus who attacked Matsya kingdom to get hold of its enormous herd of cows. After the Ajnatavasa period was over, Pandavas revealed themselves. A grateful King Virata offered her daughter to Arjun. Arjun said that Utta ra was like his daughter and He would get his son Abhimanyu married to Uttara. The Kurukshetra battle was fought few months after their wedding. A valiant Abhimanyu penetrated Chakravyuh alone on the thirteenth day of the battle at the request of Yudhishthira, fought fiercely but killed by six warriors attacking him simultaneously for m front and back in the most immoral way violating all war rules. Abhimanyu was killed. Later his wife