The Mace of Bhima in Mahabharata: Legends and History

The epic of Mahabharata is replete with tales of powerful warriors and their iconic weapons. Among the most legendary is Bhima, the mighty second Pandava brother, and his formidable mace. In this article, we will explore the name and origins of Bhima's mace, from its humble beginnings to the legendary mace he wielded during the Kurukshetra war.

Initial Mace: From Hastinapur Weapons Armoury

Bhima, known for his immense strength and fearsome weaponry, initially used a mace that he acquired from the weapons armoury of Hastinapur. However, as the story progresses, Bhima's mace evolves into a legendary weapon, imbued with divine power and capabilities that set it apart from all others.

The Supreme Mace from Mayasura

One of the most memorable instances of Bhima inheriting a powerful mace is from Mayasura, a powerful rakshasa from the discourse between Dhritarashtra and Vyasa. It is mentioned in the Adi Parva, specifically the Khandava Daha Parva:

'O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Arriving there he took the club and the conch shell and the crystal objects that were with Vrishaparva and were required for the sabha. He brought all this with the assistance of the servant rakshasas. Bringing all this back the asura built a matchless sabha. It was beautiful divine encrusted with jewels and famous in the three worlds. He gave the supreme club to Bhimasena and the supreme conch shell Devadatta to Partha.'

This passage narrates the transfer of the supreme club, or mace, from Mayasura to Bhimasena (Bhima). This mace was not just any weapon; it was of divine origin and as effective as the famous Gandiva bow to Arjuna. According to the epic, this mace had the power to slay anything it hit and was as heavy and firm as a thousand maces combined.

The Legendary Mace: Rudiramuka

Interestingly, Bhima also possessed another mace called Rudiramuka, which is referenced in various parts of the epic. This mace is not only legendary but also part of Bhima's arsenal throughout the war. In one of the accounts, it is mentioned that Bhima's mace was 1.5 times heavier than Duryodhana's mace, indicating its immense weight and power. This further establishes Bhima's dominance in combat:

Bhima said ‘O Madhusudana.....’

Concluding Thoughts on Bhima’s Maces

The maces of Bhima in Mahabharata not only symbolize his strength but also highlight the evolving nature of weapons during the ancient era. From the humble beginnings in Hastinapur to receiving the supreme club from Mayasura, and the legendary Rudiramuka, Bhima's maces were instrumental in his feats of valor and bravery. These weapons were more than mere tools; they were extensions of his indomitable spirit and the will to protect his kin and defeat his foes.

Understanding the names and origins of these maces provides valuable insight into the epic's tales of war, magic, and divine intervention. Whether it was the initial mace from Hastinapur or the divine mace from Mayasura, Bhima's maces added another layer of myth and legend to the epic of Mahabharata.