Bheema and Hanuman are brothers. Both are the spiritual sons of Vayu, the God of Wind. Hanuman, the monkey God, is associated during the Rama Avatar as an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. Bheema, the 2nd Pandava, comes in the Mahabharata which takes place during the Krishna Avatar.

Bheema, the man with the strength of thousands of elephants, was on a mission.

While there were living in a forest in the Gandhamadana mountain, his wife Draupadi asked him to get her the Saugandhika flower. This special fragrant flower was only found in the pond of Kubera, the Lord of Wealth. During his mission, Bheema encountered many wild animals in the forest killing anything that attacked him.

Gandhamadana, was the abode of Lord Hanuman. Hanuman, with his divine powers, realized Bheema was coming to where he was living. He also knew what Bheema’s mission was.

Bheema and Hanuman were brothers having Vayu, the God of Wind, as their spiritual father. But they had never met. Hanuman knew that Bheema was always proud of his strength. He wanted to play a prank on his brother and, at the same time, make him humble.

Hanuman took the form of an old monkey and lay down on the ground in Bheema’s path.

Bheema saw Hanuman and assumed he was just an old monkey. He said, “Move out of my way.”

Hanuman acted like he was asleep and did not move.

Immediately Bheema went near Hanuman’s ears and shouted, “Move out of my way, you lazy monkey.”

Hanuman opened his eyes and answered, “I am an old monkey trying to sleep. Why did you shout? Who are you?”

Bheema said, “I am Bheema, son of Kunti and Pandu born by the blessings of Lord Vayu. You are on my way. Move immediately, or else I will have to hurt you.”

Hanuman replied, “I am not well. I don’t have any energy. Why don’t you lift and move my tail so that you can pass?”

Thinking it was an ordinary monkey, Bheema thought, “I can lift his tail with one hand.”

But when he used one hand to lift the tail, he could not move it. He was shocked. He tried to use both his hands with his full strength but in vain. He immediately realized that this was no ordinary monkey.

Humbled, he folded both his hands and asked, “Who are you? I have the strength of thousands of elephants, and I thought there was no one stronger than me.”

Hanuman, showing his true form, answered, “I am Hanuman, your brother. It is good to finally meet you.”

Overcome with happiness, Bheema fell at Hanuman’s feet. “I am so happy to finally meet you. Please bless me.”

Hanuman said, “You have my blessing, Bheema. You and your brothers will definitely win the war against your cousins. I will always be there guiding you.”

He then gave the directions to Kubera’s gardens saying, “You will find the Saugandika flower in Kubera’s gardens. If you follow this path, you can reach it and take the flower back to Draupadi.”

Bheema thanked Hanuman. After tearfully bidding each other goodbye, Bheema continued on his journey.

And that was how Bheema met Hanuman.