Ghatotkacha was the son of Bhima and Hidimbi. His maternal parentage made him half-rakshasa and gave him many magical powers that made him an important fighter in the Kurukshetra war. He got his name from his head, which was shaped like a pot (Ghatam=pot, Utkach=head in sanskrit). He is considered to be a loyal and humble figure. His wife was Ahilawati and his son was Barbarika.

In the Mahabharata, he was summoned by Bhima to fight on the Pandavas side in the Kurukshetra battle. Invoking his magical powers, he wrought great havoc in the Kaurava army. In particular after the death of Jayadratha, when the battle continued on past sunset, his powers were at their most effective (at night). At this point in the battle, the Kaurava leader Duryodhana appealed to his best fighter, Karna, to kill Ghatotkacha as the whole Kaurava army was coming close to annihilation due to his ceaseless strikes from the air. Karna possessed a divine weapon granted by the God Indra. It could be used only ...more