Bhagavad Gita · Mahabharata Codex

Ghatotkacha

घटोत्कच · ghaṭotkaca

Son of Bhima and the rakshasi Hidimbi

His death was the best news Krishna heard in the whole war.

Ghatotkacha, half rakshasa, was raised by his mother in the forest and came whenever his father thought of him. Rakshasas grow stronger after dark. In the night battle of the fourteenth day he tore through the Kaurava army until Duryodhana begged Karna to stop him. Karna had one unstoppable spear, a gift of Indra that he was saving for Arjuna. He threw it. Ghatotkacha died, and Arjuna was safe.