Terms of address: Raden
Type: Human
Origin: India
Description in the Javanese wayang retellings: He was known as Bratasena in his youth and Bima or Werkudara in his adulthood. Since Pandu could not have intercourse with his wife due to a curse, Werkudara was actually conceived by Kunti and the spirit of Dewa Bayu. This was carried out with the agreement of Pandu, as was the case with the rest of the Pandawa, who were also fathered by Gods. Werkudara was a strong warrior, known for his straightforward disposition. He spoke to almost everyone in ngoko (the familiar register of the Javanese language). The only exception was Dewa_Ruci, a miniature version of himself that he met after several trials, and from whom he learned the true philosophy of life. Bima was born together with his placenta, which proved very hard to cut open. At the suggestion of Batara Narada, the elephant Sena freed him. The young Werkudara then killed the elephant, whose spirit entered the body of Werkudara. Werkudara was thereafter also known as Sena (or variations of this name). He won Drupadi in a contest, and offered her to his elder brother Puntadewa. In the Javanese versions, Drupadi is only married to Puntadewa, not to all five Pandawas, as in Indian retellings.
Werkudara had either two or three wives, depending on the version. His first wife was the ogress Arimbi. Her father [Termboko] was killed by Pandu, and her eldest brother [Arimba] tried to exact revenge on the Pandawa. However, [Arimba] was eventually killed by Werkudara and became integrated into his body. With his dying breath, [Arimba] gave his blessing to his sister's relationship with Werkudara. Werkudara was initially not interested in her, until Kunti used a spell to change her shape into that of a beautiful woman. With Arimbi, he had Gatotkaca. He met his second wife when the Korawa were trying to kill the Pandawa, by setting fire to the /Bale Sigala-gala/. Led by Werkudara, the Pandawa and Kunti escaped in time. There are multiple versions recounting how Werkudara came to the knowledge that their lives were in peril, but in every version he eventually meets Antaboga and marries his daughter [Nagagaini], with whom he has Antasena. In the Yogyakarta versions, he also had a third wife, [Urangayu], with whom he had Antareja. Several things are notable about his body. His strong nail, Pancanaka, is a natural weapon. His body is also immune to injury. There are many stories that depict how his immunity was obtained, which is partially due to the many ogres that came to become part of his body. Besides Sena the elephant and [Arimba] as seen above, [Brjadhenta], [Brajalela] and even Kumbakarna became parts of his body. Werkudara played important roles in the Baratayuda, and killed Sengkuni, [Dursasana] and Duryudana. He achieved a perfect death with the rest of the Pandawa several years after the war.
Notes on the Indian retellings: Known as Bhima, Hanuman's younger brother, and the second Pandava.
Mother: Kuni
Father: Bayu (Pandu)
Siblings: Karna, Arjuna, Puntadewa
Consorts: Arimbi, Urangayu, Nagagini
Offspring: Gatotkaca, Antasena, Antareja
Amulets and hierlooms: Aji_Wungkal_Bener,Aji_Bandung_Bandawasa, Aji_Blabag_Pengantol-antol,Gada_Rujakpolo,Alugora, Kuku_Pancanaka, Ketuklindu
Takes the shape of: Nindyamaya
Wanda: Mimis, Lintang, Lindu_Panon, Lindu_Bambang, Tatit, Ketug, Jagur, Kedu, Gandu, Jagog, Bedil, Mbugis, Gurnat
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