§ 01Origins & Significance
Who is Bhima
One of the names of Rudra in the Vedas. Represents the terrible, frightening aspect of Shiva. Associated with fear and destruction of evil.
§ 05Names & Epithets
Names by which the divine is addressed
Bhīma भीम
The Terrible One
Rudra रुद्र
The Howler, a fierce form of Shiva
§ 06Symbols & Attributes
What they hold
TerrifyingFearDestruction
अ
Weapons
Various weapons symbolizing destruction of evil.
भी
Fierce expression
Terrifying countenance that instills fear.
§ 07Iconography in Depth
Form, mudras, weapons & vahana
Fierce, terrifying form with weapons.
§ 09Mantras
Sacred utterances
Mūla Mantra
ॐ भीमाय नमः
Oṁ Bhīmāya namaḥ
Salutations to Bhima, the terrible one.
— Śaiva tradition
§ 10Hymn · Stotra
A favourite verse
भीमाय नमः
Bhīmāya namaḥ
Salutations to Bhima.
— Rudra hymns of the Yajurveda
§ 13Where Worshipped
Tīrthas & major shrines
Pan-India
§ 14Scriptures
Where to read further
Rigveda
Contains hymns to Rudra, including the epithet Bhīma.
c. 1500–1200 BCE
Shiva Purāṇa
Describes the terrible aspect of Shiva as Bhīma.
c. 1000 CE
§ 16Related Deities
Continue exploring
र
Vedic antecedent of Bhīma
Rudra
रुद्र
श
Identical with Bhīma as a form of Shiva
Śiva
शिव
म
Another fierce form of Shiva
Mahākāla
महाकाल
भ
Terrifying manifestation of Shiva
Bhairava
भैरव