The Villagers' Deal with the Demon

Then the couple's young son spoke up. "There is no need for any of us to die. I will go and return after killing the demon!" With that, he began jumping around, eager for the battle with the demon. Even in this hour of sorrow, the others smiled at the boy's antics.

Kunti could no longer bear this and entered the room. She asked the Brahmin why they were all so upset and talking about death. She asked who the demon was that they were referring to. 

The Brahmin said, "In a nearby town lives a fearsome demon named Bakasura. He used to come here every day to kill and eat people. To save ourselves, we made a deal with him: he would stop attacking us if, in return, one person brought him a cart full of food every day. Bakasura would eat both the food and the person who delivered it. It was decided that each day, one person from a certain family would take food to the demon. Tomorrow, it is our family's turn. That is why we are in such despair."

Kunti thought for a while and said, "I have an idea. All of you have shown immense kindness to our family. Now allow me to return the favor. I will send one of my five children with the food cart."

The Brahmin was stunned at Kunti's proposal. He declared, "I will not have this. A guest is like God. A person who puts their guest in this kind of danger is destined for hell."

But Kunti insisted, "My son Bhima can kill even the biggest demon in the blink of an eye. His strength is exceptional. Just make sure no one knows about this."