A powerful Asura, who had yellow eyes and a horrible aspect. He was a cannibal, and dwelt in the forest to which the Pandavas retired after the burning of their house. He had a sister named Hidimbi, whom he sent to lure the Pandavas to him; but on meeting with Bhima, she fell in love with him. By his mother's desire Bhima married her, and by her had a son named Ghatotkacha.
In the Mahābhārata, Hidimba (sometimes called Hidimbaswar and Hidimba) was a strong powerful person, the brother of hidimbaa and a forest dweller. He and his sister, Hidimbi were tempted at the sight of the Pandavas and wished to fight them. For this purpose Hidimbi changed herself into a beautiful woman and brought him near Hidimba. However, he came into conflict with Bhima and died in the conflict. As the brother of Hidimbi he was also the uncle of Ghatotkacha. He was reputed to be 8 cubits tall (12 feet tall for the 18-inch cubit conversion). Tradition states that Hidimba belonged to the great Bamun family of Nalbari (Assam) kamrup of which the Dimasa people are descendants.