Ghatotkacha uses his powers and immense strength to defeat the Rakshasa Alambusha, securing victory for the Pandavas.
On the 8th day of the Kurukshetra War, Ghatotkacha, the son of Bhīma and the rakshasi Hidimbi, is described as participating in intense battles with the Kaurava side. In some accounts, Alambusha, a powerful rakshasa on the Kaurava side, is sent to challenge Ghatotkacha. During the fight, Ghatotkacha uses his powers of illusion (māyā), size-shifting, and aerial mobility to confuse and overpower Alambusha. He hurls multiple powerful weapons, hurls rain of arrows from multiple directions, and conjures illusions that disorient his opponent. Because rakshasas grow stronger in the night and at twilight, Ghatotkacha’s mystical and brute strength is especially effective. Ultimately, Ghatotkacha is often said to deal a decisive blow—striking Alambusha’s head or delivering a crushing strike so that Alambusha is forced to retreat or is decisively defeated.
