Second Struggle of Bhima and Hari in Ramacaritam

Summary

Focusing on the Rāmacaritam’s account of Bhīma and his comrade Hari, this article revisits the so‑called ‘second struggle’ that editors believe occurred after Bhīma’s escape from captivity. It summarises how some commentators interpret the text: Bhīma supposedly eluded his captors, Hari rallied troops and inflicted reverses on the enemy, and a renewed battle ensued before Bhīma was eventually captured again. The author challenges this narrative by examining the Sanskrit verses and their commentaries, arguing that much of the supposed second struggle is a misreading. He points out that the text emphasises Bhīma’s stealthy escape and Hari’s attempt to raise support, but there is no clear description of a second major engagement. Instead, the episode reflects a cycle of alliances and betrayals: local chiefs, fearing the Marathas, alternately support and desert the protagonists. The article analyses the editors’ translation choices, showing how verb tenses and pronouns were misconstrued to suggest an additional battle. It stresses the need for philological care and warns against projecting later heroic ideals onto the Rāmacaritam. The author concludes that the narrative illustrates the precariousness of resistance against imperial forces and the role of camaraderie and cunning rather than military might. The paper thus calls for a reassessment of episodes in medieval Sanskrit chronicles where editors may have inserted heroics unsupported by the text.