Characters of the Mahabharata: Glossary of Names (I to N)
I
Ila (Hinduism)
Indra (/ˈɪndrə/, Sanskrit: इन्द्र) is a Vedic deity in Hinduism,[2] a guardian deity (Indā[3], Pālī) in Buddhism,[4] and the king of the highest heaven called Saudharmakalpa in Jainism.[5] His mythologies and powers are similar to other Indo-European deities such as Jupiter, Perun, Perkūnas, Taranis, Zeus, and Thor.[2][6][7]
In the Vedas, Indra is the king of Svarga (Heaven) and the Devas. He is the god of the heavens, lightning, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, and war.[8][9] Indra is the most referred to deity in the Rigveda.[10] He is celebrated for his powers, and the one who kills the great symbolic evil (malevolent type of Asura) named Vritra who obstructs human prosperity and happiness. Indra destroys Vritra and his "deceiving forces", and thereby brings rains and the sunshine as the friend of mankind.[2][11] His importance diminishes in the post-Vedic Indian literature where he is depicted as a powerful hero but one who is getting in trouble with his drunken, hedonistic and adulterous ways, and the god who disturbs Hindu monks as they meditate because he fears self-realized human beings may become more powerful than him
Indradyumna
Indradyumna (Sanskrit: इन्द्रद्युम्न, IAST: Indradyumna), son of Bharata and Sunanda, was a Malava king, according to the Mahabharata and the Puranas. Noted Indologist John Dowson has opined that there have been several kings of this name and the most prominent one being the Indradyumna who ruled over Avanti region[1] and set up the icon of Lord Jagannathin Puri.
Iravan
Iravan
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Not to be confused with Yerevan.
Iravan / Aravan
A big moustached male head, with big eyes, big ears and thick eyebrows. Fangs protrude from the sides of his mouth. The head wears a conical crown, with a cobra hood at the top. A floral garland and gold necklace are seen around the neck.
Aravan worshipped at Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore. A cobra hood is sheltering Aravan's head.
Affiliation Nāga
Consort Krishna in his form of Mohini
Parents Ulupi (mother)
Arjuna (father)
Iravan / Aravan, also known as Iravat[1], Nagarjuna and Iravant, is a minor character from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The son of Pandava prince Arjuna (one of the main heroes of the Mahabharata) and the Naga princess Ulupi, Iravan is the central deity of the cult of Kuttantavar which is also the name commonly given to him in that cult—and plays a major role in the cult of Draupadi. Both these cults are of Tamil origin, from a region of the country where he is worshipped as a village deity and is known as Aravan. He is also a patron god of well-known transgender communities called Thirunangai (also Aravani in Tamil, and Hijra throughout South Asia).[2]
The Mahabharata portrays Iravan as dying a heroic death in the 18-day Kurukshetra War (Mahabharata war), the epic's main subject. However, the South Indian cults have a supplementary tradition of honouring Aravan's self-sacrifice to the goddess Kali to ensure her favour and the victory of the Pandavas in the war. The Kuttantavar cult focuses on one of the three boons granted to Aravan by the god Krishna in honour of this self-sacrifice. Aravan requested that he be married before his death. Krishna satisfied this boon in his female form, Mohini. In Koovagam (கூவாகம்), Tamil Nadu, this incident is re-enacted in an 18-day festival, first by a ceremonial marriage of Aravan to ThiruNangais and male villagers (who have taken vows to Aravan) and then by their widowhood after ritual re-enactment of Aravan's sacrifice.
The Draupadi cult emphasizes another boon: Krishna allows Aravan to witness the entire duration of the Mahabharata war through the eyes of his severed head. In another 18-day festival, the ceremonial head of Aravan is hoisted on a post to witness the ritual re-enactment of the Mahabharata war. The head of Aravan is a common motif in Draupadi temples. Often it is a portable wooden head; sometimes it even has its own shrine in the temple complex or is placed on the corners of temple roofs as a guardian against spirits. Aravan is worshipped in the form of his severed head and is believed to cure disease and induce pregnancy in childless women.
Iravan is also known in Indonesia (where his name is spelled Irawan). An independent set of traditions have developed around Irawan on the main island of Java where, for example, he loses his association with the Naga. Separate Javanese traditions present a dramatic marriage of Irawan to Titisari, daughter of Krishna, and a death resulting from a case of mistaken identity. These stories are told through the medium of traditional Javanese theatre (Wayang), especially in shadow-puppet plays known as Wayang Kulit.
J
Janamejaya
He was the son of King Parikshit and Queen Madravati. According to the Mahabharata(I.95.85), but according to the Bhagavata Purana (I.xvi.2), his mother was Iravati, daughter of Uttara.[9] He was the grandson of Abhimanyu and the great-grandson of Arjuna, the valiant warrior hero of the Mahābhārata. He ascended to the Kuru throne following the death of his father. His significance comes as the listener of the first narration of the Mahābhārata, narrated by Vaishampayana, pupil of Vyasa. According to the Vayu Purana and the Matsya Purana, there was a dispute between him and Vaishampayana. Possibly, as its aftermath, he abdicated and his son Shatanika succeeded him.[10] According to the Puranas,
Jarasandha
According to the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Jarasandha (Sanskrit: जरासन्ध) was a very powerful king of Magadha. He was a descendant of King Brihadratha, the founder of the Barhadratha dynasty of Magadha.He was a great senapati. he was also known as magdha samrat Jarasandh. He is worshipped as mool-purusha (lineal descent) of Rawani Kshatriya clan, Chandravanshi Kshatriya. According to Vayu Purana, the descendants of Brihadratha ( Jarasandha's Father) ruled magadha for 2600 years followed by Haryanka dynasty.
The word Jarasandha is a combination of two Sanskrit words, Jara (जरा) and sandha (सन्ध), "joining". Jara, a Van-durga put the two halves of Jarasandha together after finding them by a tree. In return for saving Brihadratha's son, he was named Jarasandha after her. The meaning of Jarasandha is 'the one who is joined by Jara'.[1][better source needed]
Legend about his birth
Birth of Jarasandha
Jara merges two parts of Jarasandha
Jarasandha's father king Brihadratha was married to the twin daughters of the King of Kashi. Brihadratha loved both his wives equally, but had no sons. Once sage Chandakaushika visited his kingdom and gave a mango to the king as a boon. The king divided the mango equally and gave to his both the wives. Soon, both wives became pregnant and gave birth to two halves of a human body.[citation needed] These two lifeless halves were very horrifying to view. So, Brihadratha ordered these to be thrown in the forest. A van-durga named Jara (or Barmata or Bandi devi) found the two pieces and held each of them in her two palms. Incidentally, when she brought both of her palms together, the two pieces joined giving rise to a living child. The child cried loudly which created panic for Jara. Not having the heart to eat a living child, the demoness gave it to the king and explained to him all that had happened. The father was overjoyed to see him.[2]
Chandakaushika arrived at the court and saved the child. He prophesied to Brihadratha that his son would be specially gifted and would be a great devotee of the god Shiva.[3]
Jaratkaru
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jaratkaru
Sage Jaratkaru abandons his wife.jpg
Jaratkaru abandons his wife Manasa, depiction of the Mahabharata scene
Jaratkaru is a rishi (sage) in Hindu mythology. He is the husband of the serpent-goddess Manasa and father of their son Astika.[1] He appears as a subordinate character in the tales of Manasa and Astika.
Jaratkaru is described as a great learned sage who practises severe asceticism. Though he wants to remain celibate, he marries Manasa on persuasion of his dead ancestors, who are doomed to fall to hell if he does not procreate. The marriage fails, with hardly any emotional bond between the couple. Jaratkaru finally forsakes Manasa when she wakes him up from his deep slumber and he feels insulted. However, he impregnates her before leaving her forever. Manasa gives birth to Astika in his absence. Little is known about his early life before meeting Manasa or his later life, after abandoning her
Jayadratha
In the epic Mahābhārata, Jayadratha (Sanskrit: जयद्रथ) was the king of Sindhu Kingdom. He was married to Dushala, the only sister of the 105 Kaurava brothers. Besides Dussala, he had another two wives, one from Gandhara and the other from Kamboja. He was the son of the king Vridhakshatra. He was killed by Arjuna with the help of Krishna.
Etymology
The word Jayadratha is derived from two Sanskrit words, jayat meaning 'victorious' and ratha meaning 'chariot'. Thus the word Jayadratha means, 'having victorious chariots'. His other names are-
Sindhuraja (सिन्धुराज) - king of Sindhu Kingdom
Saindhava (सैन्धव) - descendant (king) of Sindhu Kingdom
Abduction of Draupadi
One day, during the time the Pandavas were in exile, the Pandavas went for hunting to gather food. They left Draupadi alone at the ashrama and requested Sage Trunabindu and Dhaumya to watch over her. On that day Jayadratha saw Draupadi and sent his minister Kotikasya and asked him to inquire as to who she was. Kotikasya went over to her and after learning about her identity, informed Jayadratha that she is Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. Jayadratha in spite of learning her identity, went to Draupadi and proposed to marry her. Initially welcoming him as their Pandavas brother-in-law, Draupadi vehemently refused the proposal. Infuriated, Jayadratha abducted Draupadi and started moving towards his kingdom. The Pandavas returned to their ashrama to find Draupadi missing and learnt about the event that had unfolded by the account of Draupadi's friend Dhaatreyika, who had witnessed Jayadratha forcefully carrying Draupadi away. Yudhishthira then ordered his brothers to rescue Draupadi. Then they rushed in their chariots towards that host with great fury, and started to slay all of his soldiers. When Jayadratha, the King of Sindhu, saw that his warriors were slain, he became anxious, and in confusion, leaving Draupadi there, fled for his life. Arjuna perceiving that Jayadratha had fled, exhorted his brother Bhima to refrain from slaughtering the troops saying, its not their fault. Yudhishthira returns with Draupadi while commanding his brothers to pursue Jayadratha. On learning, the enemy was full two miles ahead of them urged their horses to greater speed in pursuit of him. And the mighty Arjuna performed a wonderful deed, killing the horse of Jayadratha although they were full two miles ahead of them, using celestial weapon. Bhima seized him by hair, slamed him on ground with violence, and started to kick him on head. Falguna dissuade the wrathful Bhimasena, by reminding him of Yudhishthira words. Suppressing his wrath, Bhima shaved the hair of the prince's head, heaving five tufts in as many places. Thrusting him in chariot in chain, they approached Yudhishthira. Bhima asked Draupadi for his fate. Draupadi, reading the King's mind, said, 'Let him off!'. She suggested that he is already treated like a slave. So bowing down to merciful Yudhishthira, he returned to his capital.[1]
In the Kurukshetra war
Abhimanyu fights the Kauravas in the chakrayudha (left); while Jayadratha on the elephant on the right prevents the Pandavas from aiding Abhimanyu.
After his humiliation at the hands of Pandavas, Jayadratha gives control of his kingdom to his wife and did severe penance towards three-eyed god. Pleased with his austerities, Shiva appears before him and grants him a boon, Jayadratha asked,'May I be able to defeat in battle all the five sons of Pandu on their chariots!'. The god, however, told him 'This cannot be.' And Maheswara said that the combination of Krishna and Arjuna cannot be defeated. Still unchanged, to his wish, Shiva granted him the boon, saying, except Arjuna, he shall be able to only check them(once) on the field of battle. Saying these words, the consort of Uma, vanishes with his followers. Jayadratha returns to ruling his kingdom and waiting for that one day. 2 years later, naturally, Jayadratha fights on the side of his brother-in-law Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra War. On the 1st day of the Mahabharata war, in the noon he defeated King Drupada, but spares him. On the 13th day of the Mahabharata war, when the chakravyuha is launched by Dronacharya, Jayadratha makes use of Lord Shiva's boon. Arjuna's son Abhimanyu manages to enter the formation; he intends for the Pandava forces to follow after him and smash the formation from the inside. Jayadratha moves to close the gap, and is able to hold all of the Pandava brothers and their forces at bay. As part of Drona's strategy, Arjuna and Krishna are busy battling Susharma and the Trigata Army elsewhere. Abhimanyu, who does not know how to exit from the chakravyuha, is trapped and brutally killed by the Kaurava Warriors in a combined attack.
The Pandavas are startled after finding that Jayadratha was able to hold the world's most powerful warriors at bay. In particular, Draupadi, Yudhishthira, and Bhima feel very guilty for not killing Jayadratha when they did have the chance. Arjuna blames Jayadratha to be the cause for Abhimanyu's death. He vows to kill him the very next day before sunset, failing which Arjuna would kill himself by jumping in a pyre of fire. This sets the stage for the epic 14th day of battle.
Arjuna's revenge
Dronacharya arranges a combination of 3 vyuhas in order to protect Jayadratha from Arjuna.
Jayadratha's head falls in his father's lap
Bhima, Satyaki and Arjuna tear through the Kaurava army. But it was clear that Arjuna couldn't accomplish the goal before the sunset. At a climactic moment, with the sun nearly set and thousands of warriors still between Arjuna and Jayadratha, Krishna sends his Sudarshana Chakra in order to mask the sun and create an illusion of sunset. The Kaurava warriors rejoice over Arjuna's defeat and look forward for his imminent suicide. Jayadratha was hiding behind Duryodhana, relieved that he was saved. Therefore, he came out of the formation. Suddenly the sun was free from the eclipse and Krishna tells Arjuna, pointing at the sun that the sun had not set, but it was only a solar eclipse. He then pointed at the hiding Jayadratha, telling Arjuna to sever his head. He then tells Arjuna to shoot the head into the lap of Jayadratha's father. Arjuna then quickly picked up his Gandiva and shot a Pashupatastra at Jayadratha. Jayadratha's head than flew away very far and landed on lap of his father, Vridhakshatra.
Jayadratha beheaded by Arjuna, made by Mughal artists Baswan and Miskin, a folio of Razmnama
His father, being a sage had granted him a boon that whosoever will be responsible for his son's severed head to fall onto the ground will have his head burst into 100 pieces. Therefore, when his father, horrified at having his son's head in his lap, hurriedly got up, the severed head fell to the ground, killing Vridhakshatra at the same moment.
K
Kacha (sage)
Kacha (Sanskrit: कच, Kaca) was an ancient sage and the son of Brihaspati in Hindu mythology. The narrative of Kacha is mentioned in the Mahābhārata, the Matsya Purana and the Agni Purana.[1] He was known for learning Mrityu Sanjivini Mantra (a hymn for reviving the dead) but failed to bring many dead Devas back to life due to earning the wrath and curse of Shukracharya's daughter Devayani.
As a disciple to Shukracharya {Kacha was sent by his father Brihaspati to learn the secret of the Mrita Sanjivini mantra from Shukracharya, the guru of the Asuras. The idea was to help the Devas with the knowledge of this secret who were about to lose the war. Brihaspati also advises him to first impress Devayani in order to impress Shukracharya, who was very fond of his daughter. Kacha follows his advise and unknown to him Devayani falls in love with him.
In the meantime the Asuras want to kill Kacha, as he might be dangerous if he learns the Mantra. Every time they kill him, Shukracharya revives him with his art on the insistence of Devayani. The Asuras finally killed him and mixed his remains with alcohol and served it to Shukracharya. Shukracharya unknowingly consumed that, and when he tries to revive Kacha, he realises that Kacha was in his stomach. He teaches Kacha Mantra and tells him to come out. Kacha comes out by tearing his guru's stomach open and brings his life back with the help of Mantra.
Kacha starts his journey back to Deva loka when Devayani expresses her love for him and asks him to marry her. Kacha tells her that she is like a sister to him as she was the daughter of his guru, equivalent to father according to Hindu Dharma. This infuriates Devayani whereby she cursed him that he will not remember and never get to use the Mrityu Sanjivini Mantra during the time he needs it the most. In return, Kacha curses her that she wouldn't get a husband of strong character.
During a fierce battle between the Devas and the Asuras, Kacha decided to use the Mrityu Sanjivini Mantra to bring back all the dead suras to life but during this moment Devayani's curse activates and this causes him not to remember the mantra. This brought an upper hand for the Asuras in the great battle between Suras and Asuras.
Kakudmi
Kakudmi (sometimes also called Kakudmin, or Raivata, son of Revata) was the King of Kusasthali. He was the father of Revati who married Balarama. Within Hinduism, his account is given within a number of existing texts such as the Mahābhārata, the Harivaṃśa, the Devi Bhagavatam and the Bhagavata Purana.
Kalanemi
Kalanemi is a demon in Hindu mythology. He was the son of the Maricha (demon) the golden deer and brother of Andhaka. In this birth as Maricha's son, he was slain by Hanuman while his brother was killed by Lord Shiva. In one of his rebirths as per his karmic deeds, he was born as Kansa, son of Ugrasena the king of Mathura. His sister was Devaki and her son Krishna was an avatar of Vishnu.[1][2] Krishna eventually killed Kansa in this birth.[3]In the epic Ramayana Kalanemi was Maricha's son and minister of Ravana and was assigned to kill Hanuman
Kaliya
Kaliya (IAST:Kāliya, Devanagari: कालिय),ఖాళీయ in Hindu traditions, was a poisonous Nāga living in the Yamunā river, in Vṛndāvana. The water of the Yamunā for four leagues all around him boiled and bubbled with poison. No bird or beast could go near, and only one solitary Kadamba tree grew on the river bank. The celebration of Nāga Nathaiyā or Nāga Nṛitya is associated with the tale of Lord Krishna dancing upon and subduing Kāliya.
Kamatha
Kamatha is a Kamboja king mentioned in the Mahābhārata as one of the principal Kshatriyas taking part in the battle
Kamsa
Karenumati
In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Karenumati was the princess of Chedi and wife of Nakula. They had a son Niramitra.
Karna
Kaurava is a Sanskrit term for the descendants of Kuru, a legendary king who is the ancestor of many of the characters of the Mahābhārata. The well-known Kauravas 100+1 are Duryodhana, Dushasana, Vikarna, Yuyutsu and Dussala.
Khatushyam
Kindama
King Kuru
King Puru
Kripa
Krishna
Krishna in the Mahabharata
Kritavarma
Kunti
Kunti-Bhoja
L
Laxman Kumara
M
Madravti
Madreya
Madri
Maitreya (Mahābhārata)
Manasa
Markandeya
Mayasura
Muchukunda
N
Nahusha
Nakula
Nala
Nanda Baba
Niramitra
I
Ila (Hinduism)
Ila (Sanskrit: इल) or Ilā (Sanskrit: इला) is an androgyne deity in Hindu mythology, known for their sex changes. As a man, he is known as Sudyumna and as a woman, is called Ilā. Ilā is considered the chief progenitor of the Lunar dynasty of Indian kings – also known as the Ailas ("descendants of Ilā").
While many versions of the tale exist, Ila is usually described as a daughter or son of Vaivasvata Manu and thus the sibling of Ikshvaku, the founder of the Solar Dynasty. In versions in which Ila is born female, she changes into a male form by divine grace soon after her birth. After mistakenly entering a sacred grove as an adult, Ila is either cursed to change his/her gender every month or cursed to become a woman. As a woman, Ilā married Budha, the god of the planet Mercury and the son of the lunar deity Chandra (Soma), and bore him a son called Pururavas, the father of the Lunar dynasty. After the birth of Pururavas, Ilā is transformed into a man again and fathered three sons.
In the Vedas, Ilā is praised as Idā (Sanskrit: इडा), goddess of speech, and described as mother of Pururavas.
The tale of Ila's transformations is told in the Puranas as well as the Indian epic poems, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
IndraIndra (/ˈɪndrə/, Sanskrit: इन्द्र) is a Vedic deity in Hinduism,[2] a guardian deity (Indā[3], Pālī) in Buddhism,[4] and the king of the highest heaven called Saudharmakalpa in Jainism.[5] His mythologies and powers are similar to other Indo-European deities such as Jupiter, Perun, Perkūnas, Taranis, Zeus, and Thor.[2][6][7]
In the Vedas, Indra is the king of Svarga (Heaven) and the Devas. He is the god of the heavens, lightning, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, and war.[8][9] Indra is the most referred to deity in the Rigveda.[10] He is celebrated for his powers, and the one who kills the great symbolic evil (malevolent type of Asura) named Vritra who obstructs human prosperity and happiness. Indra destroys Vritra and his "deceiving forces", and thereby brings rains and the sunshine as the friend of mankind.[2][11] His importance diminishes in the post-Vedic Indian literature where he is depicted as a powerful hero but one who is getting in trouble with his drunken, hedonistic and adulterous ways, and the god who disturbs Hindu monks as they meditate because he fears self-realized human beings may become more powerful than him
Indradyumna
Indradyumna (Sanskrit: इन्द्रद्युम्न, IAST: Indradyumna), son of Bharata and Sunanda, was a Malava king, according to the Mahabharata and the Puranas. Noted Indologist John Dowson has opined that there have been several kings of this name and the most prominent one being the Indradyumna who ruled over Avanti region[1] and set up the icon of Lord Jagannathin Puri.
Iravan
Iravan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Not to be confused with Yerevan.
Iravan / Aravan
A big moustached male head, with big eyes, big ears and thick eyebrows. Fangs protrude from the sides of his mouth. The head wears a conical crown, with a cobra hood at the top. A floral garland and gold necklace are seen around the neck.
Aravan worshipped at Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore. A cobra hood is sheltering Aravan's head.
Affiliation Nāga
Consort Krishna in his form of Mohini
Parents Ulupi (mother)
Arjuna (father)
Iravan / Aravan, also known as Iravat[1], Nagarjuna and Iravant, is a minor character from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The son of Pandava prince Arjuna (one of the main heroes of the Mahabharata) and the Naga princess Ulupi, Iravan is the central deity of the cult of Kuttantavar which is also the name commonly given to him in that cult—and plays a major role in the cult of Draupadi. Both these cults are of Tamil origin, from a region of the country where he is worshipped as a village deity and is known as Aravan. He is also a patron god of well-known transgender communities called Thirunangai (also Aravani in Tamil, and Hijra throughout South Asia).[2]
The Mahabharata portrays Iravan as dying a heroic death in the 18-day Kurukshetra War (Mahabharata war), the epic's main subject. However, the South Indian cults have a supplementary tradition of honouring Aravan's self-sacrifice to the goddess Kali to ensure her favour and the victory of the Pandavas in the war. The Kuttantavar cult focuses on one of the three boons granted to Aravan by the god Krishna in honour of this self-sacrifice. Aravan requested that he be married before his death. Krishna satisfied this boon in his female form, Mohini. In Koovagam (கூவாகம்), Tamil Nadu, this incident is re-enacted in an 18-day festival, first by a ceremonial marriage of Aravan to ThiruNangais and male villagers (who have taken vows to Aravan) and then by their widowhood after ritual re-enactment of Aravan's sacrifice.
The Draupadi cult emphasizes another boon: Krishna allows Aravan to witness the entire duration of the Mahabharata war through the eyes of his severed head. In another 18-day festival, the ceremonial head of Aravan is hoisted on a post to witness the ritual re-enactment of the Mahabharata war. The head of Aravan is a common motif in Draupadi temples. Often it is a portable wooden head; sometimes it even has its own shrine in the temple complex or is placed on the corners of temple roofs as a guardian against spirits. Aravan is worshipped in the form of his severed head and is believed to cure disease and induce pregnancy in childless women.
Iravan is also known in Indonesia (where his name is spelled Irawan). An independent set of traditions have developed around Irawan on the main island of Java where, for example, he loses his association with the Naga. Separate Javanese traditions present a dramatic marriage of Irawan to Titisari, daughter of Krishna, and a death resulting from a case of mistaken identity. These stories are told through the medium of traditional Javanese theatre (Wayang), especially in shadow-puppet plays known as Wayang Kulit.
J
Janamejaya
He was the son of King Parikshit and Queen Madravati. According to the Mahabharata(I.95.85), but according to the Bhagavata Purana (I.xvi.2), his mother was Iravati, daughter of Uttara.[9] He was the grandson of Abhimanyu and the great-grandson of Arjuna, the valiant warrior hero of the Mahābhārata. He ascended to the Kuru throne following the death of his father. His significance comes as the listener of the first narration of the Mahābhārata, narrated by Vaishampayana, pupil of Vyasa. According to the Vayu Purana and the Matsya Purana, there was a dispute between him and Vaishampayana. Possibly, as its aftermath, he abdicated and his son Shatanika succeeded him.[10] According to the Puranas,
Jarasandha
According to the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Jarasandha (Sanskrit: जरासन्ध) was a very powerful king of Magadha. He was a descendant of King Brihadratha, the founder of the Barhadratha dynasty of Magadha.He was a great senapati. he was also known as magdha samrat Jarasandh. He is worshipped as mool-purusha (lineal descent) of Rawani Kshatriya clan, Chandravanshi Kshatriya. According to Vayu Purana, the descendants of Brihadratha ( Jarasandha's Father) ruled magadha for 2600 years followed by Haryanka dynasty.
The word Jarasandha is a combination of two Sanskrit words, Jara (जरा) and sandha (सन्ध), "joining". Jara, a Van-durga put the two halves of Jarasandha together after finding them by a tree. In return for saving Brihadratha's son, he was named Jarasandha after her. The meaning of Jarasandha is 'the one who is joined by Jara'.[1][better source needed]
Legend about his birth
Birth of Jarasandha
Jara merges two parts of Jarasandha
Jarasandha's father king Brihadratha was married to the twin daughters of the King of Kashi. Brihadratha loved both his wives equally, but had no sons. Once sage Chandakaushika visited his kingdom and gave a mango to the king as a boon. The king divided the mango equally and gave to his both the wives. Soon, both wives became pregnant and gave birth to two halves of a human body.[citation needed] These two lifeless halves were very horrifying to view. So, Brihadratha ordered these to be thrown in the forest. A van-durga named Jara (or Barmata or Bandi devi) found the two pieces and held each of them in her two palms. Incidentally, when she brought both of her palms together, the two pieces joined giving rise to a living child. The child cried loudly which created panic for Jara. Not having the heart to eat a living child, the demoness gave it to the king and explained to him all that had happened. The father was overjoyed to see him.[2]
Chandakaushika arrived at the court and saved the child. He prophesied to Brihadratha that his son would be specially gifted and would be a great devotee of the god Shiva.[3]
Jaratkaru
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jaratkaru
Sage Jaratkaru abandons his wife.jpg
Jaratkaru abandons his wife Manasa, depiction of the Mahabharata scene
Jaratkaru is a rishi (sage) in Hindu mythology. He is the husband of the serpent-goddess Manasa and father of their son Astika.[1] He appears as a subordinate character in the tales of Manasa and Astika.
Jaratkaru is described as a great learned sage who practises severe asceticism. Though he wants to remain celibate, he marries Manasa on persuasion of his dead ancestors, who are doomed to fall to hell if he does not procreate. The marriage fails, with hardly any emotional bond between the couple. Jaratkaru finally forsakes Manasa when she wakes him up from his deep slumber and he feels insulted. However, he impregnates her before leaving her forever. Manasa gives birth to Astika in his absence. Little is known about his early life before meeting Manasa or his later life, after abandoning her
Jayadratha
In the epic Mahābhārata, Jayadratha (Sanskrit: जयद्रथ) was the king of Sindhu Kingdom. He was married to Dushala, the only sister of the 105 Kaurava brothers. Besides Dussala, he had another two wives, one from Gandhara and the other from Kamboja. He was the son of the king Vridhakshatra. He was killed by Arjuna with the help of Krishna.
Etymology
The word Jayadratha is derived from two Sanskrit words, jayat meaning 'victorious' and ratha meaning 'chariot'. Thus the word Jayadratha means, 'having victorious chariots'. His other names are-
Sindhuraja (सिन्धुराज) - king of Sindhu Kingdom
Saindhava (सैन्धव) - descendant (king) of Sindhu Kingdom
Abduction of Draupadi
One day, during the time the Pandavas were in exile, the Pandavas went for hunting to gather food. They left Draupadi alone at the ashrama and requested Sage Trunabindu and Dhaumya to watch over her. On that day Jayadratha saw Draupadi and sent his minister Kotikasya and asked him to inquire as to who she was. Kotikasya went over to her and after learning about her identity, informed Jayadratha that she is Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. Jayadratha in spite of learning her identity, went to Draupadi and proposed to marry her. Initially welcoming him as their Pandavas brother-in-law, Draupadi vehemently refused the proposal. Infuriated, Jayadratha abducted Draupadi and started moving towards his kingdom. The Pandavas returned to their ashrama to find Draupadi missing and learnt about the event that had unfolded by the account of Draupadi's friend Dhaatreyika, who had witnessed Jayadratha forcefully carrying Draupadi away. Yudhishthira then ordered his brothers to rescue Draupadi. Then they rushed in their chariots towards that host with great fury, and started to slay all of his soldiers. When Jayadratha, the King of Sindhu, saw that his warriors were slain, he became anxious, and in confusion, leaving Draupadi there, fled for his life. Arjuna perceiving that Jayadratha had fled, exhorted his brother Bhima to refrain from slaughtering the troops saying, its not their fault. Yudhishthira returns with Draupadi while commanding his brothers to pursue Jayadratha. On learning, the enemy was full two miles ahead of them urged their horses to greater speed in pursuit of him. And the mighty Arjuna performed a wonderful deed, killing the horse of Jayadratha although they were full two miles ahead of them, using celestial weapon. Bhima seized him by hair, slamed him on ground with violence, and started to kick him on head. Falguna dissuade the wrathful Bhimasena, by reminding him of Yudhishthira words. Suppressing his wrath, Bhima shaved the hair of the prince's head, heaving five tufts in as many places. Thrusting him in chariot in chain, they approached Yudhishthira. Bhima asked Draupadi for his fate. Draupadi, reading the King's mind, said, 'Let him off!'. She suggested that he is already treated like a slave. So bowing down to merciful Yudhishthira, he returned to his capital.[1]
In the Kurukshetra war
Abhimanyu fights the Kauravas in the chakrayudha (left); while Jayadratha on the elephant on the right prevents the Pandavas from aiding Abhimanyu.
After his humiliation at the hands of Pandavas, Jayadratha gives control of his kingdom to his wife and did severe penance towards three-eyed god. Pleased with his austerities, Shiva appears before him and grants him a boon, Jayadratha asked,'May I be able to defeat in battle all the five sons of Pandu on their chariots!'. The god, however, told him 'This cannot be.' And Maheswara said that the combination of Krishna and Arjuna cannot be defeated. Still unchanged, to his wish, Shiva granted him the boon, saying, except Arjuna, he shall be able to only check them(once) on the field of battle. Saying these words, the consort of Uma, vanishes with his followers. Jayadratha returns to ruling his kingdom and waiting for that one day. 2 years later, naturally, Jayadratha fights on the side of his brother-in-law Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra War. On the 1st day of the Mahabharata war, in the noon he defeated King Drupada, but spares him. On the 13th day of the Mahabharata war, when the chakravyuha is launched by Dronacharya, Jayadratha makes use of Lord Shiva's boon. Arjuna's son Abhimanyu manages to enter the formation; he intends for the Pandava forces to follow after him and smash the formation from the inside. Jayadratha moves to close the gap, and is able to hold all of the Pandava brothers and their forces at bay. As part of Drona's strategy, Arjuna and Krishna are busy battling Susharma and the Trigata Army elsewhere. Abhimanyu, who does not know how to exit from the chakravyuha, is trapped and brutally killed by the Kaurava Warriors in a combined attack.
The Pandavas are startled after finding that Jayadratha was able to hold the world's most powerful warriors at bay. In particular, Draupadi, Yudhishthira, and Bhima feel very guilty for not killing Jayadratha when they did have the chance. Arjuna blames Jayadratha to be the cause for Abhimanyu's death. He vows to kill him the very next day before sunset, failing which Arjuna would kill himself by jumping in a pyre of fire. This sets the stage for the epic 14th day of battle.
Arjuna's revenge
Dronacharya arranges a combination of 3 vyuhas in order to protect Jayadratha from Arjuna.
Jayadratha's head falls in his father's lap
Bhima, Satyaki and Arjuna tear through the Kaurava army. But it was clear that Arjuna couldn't accomplish the goal before the sunset. At a climactic moment, with the sun nearly set and thousands of warriors still between Arjuna and Jayadratha, Krishna sends his Sudarshana Chakra in order to mask the sun and create an illusion of sunset. The Kaurava warriors rejoice over Arjuna's defeat and look forward for his imminent suicide. Jayadratha was hiding behind Duryodhana, relieved that he was saved. Therefore, he came out of the formation. Suddenly the sun was free from the eclipse and Krishna tells Arjuna, pointing at the sun that the sun had not set, but it was only a solar eclipse. He then pointed at the hiding Jayadratha, telling Arjuna to sever his head. He then tells Arjuna to shoot the head into the lap of Jayadratha's father. Arjuna then quickly picked up his Gandiva and shot a Pashupatastra at Jayadratha. Jayadratha's head than flew away very far and landed on lap of his father, Vridhakshatra.
Jayadratha beheaded by Arjuna, made by Mughal artists Baswan and Miskin, a folio of Razmnama
His father, being a sage had granted him a boon that whosoever will be responsible for his son's severed head to fall onto the ground will have his head burst into 100 pieces. Therefore, when his father, horrified at having his son's head in his lap, hurriedly got up, the severed head fell to the ground, killing Vridhakshatra at the same moment.
K
Kacha (sage)
Kacha (Sanskrit: कच, Kaca) was an ancient sage and the son of Brihaspati in Hindu mythology. The narrative of Kacha is mentioned in the Mahābhārata, the Matsya Purana and the Agni Purana.[1] He was known for learning Mrityu Sanjivini Mantra (a hymn for reviving the dead) but failed to bring many dead Devas back to life due to earning the wrath and curse of Shukracharya's daughter Devayani.
As a disciple to Shukracharya {Kacha was sent by his father Brihaspati to learn the secret of the Mrita Sanjivini mantra from Shukracharya, the guru of the Asuras. The idea was to help the Devas with the knowledge of this secret who were about to lose the war. Brihaspati also advises him to first impress Devayani in order to impress Shukracharya, who was very fond of his daughter. Kacha follows his advise and unknown to him Devayani falls in love with him.
In the meantime the Asuras want to kill Kacha, as he might be dangerous if he learns the Mantra. Every time they kill him, Shukracharya revives him with his art on the insistence of Devayani. The Asuras finally killed him and mixed his remains with alcohol and served it to Shukracharya. Shukracharya unknowingly consumed that, and when he tries to revive Kacha, he realises that Kacha was in his stomach. He teaches Kacha Mantra and tells him to come out. Kacha comes out by tearing his guru's stomach open and brings his life back with the help of Mantra.
Kacha starts his journey back to Deva loka when Devayani expresses her love for him and asks him to marry her. Kacha tells her that she is like a sister to him as she was the daughter of his guru, equivalent to father according to Hindu Dharma. This infuriates Devayani whereby she cursed him that he will not remember and never get to use the Mrityu Sanjivini Mantra during the time he needs it the most. In return, Kacha curses her that she wouldn't get a husband of strong character.
During a fierce battle between the Devas and the Asuras, Kacha decided to use the Mrityu Sanjivini Mantra to bring back all the dead suras to life but during this moment Devayani's curse activates and this causes him not to remember the mantra. This brought an upper hand for the Asuras in the great battle between Suras and Asuras.
Kakudmi
Kakudmi (sometimes also called Kakudmin, or Raivata, son of Revata) was the King of Kusasthali. He was the father of Revati who married Balarama. Within Hinduism, his account is given within a number of existing texts such as the Mahābhārata, the Harivaṃśa, the Devi Bhagavatam and the Bhagavata Purana.
Kalanemi
Kalanemi is a demon in Hindu mythology. He was the son of the Maricha (demon) the golden deer and brother of Andhaka. In this birth as Maricha's son, he was slain by Hanuman while his brother was killed by Lord Shiva. In one of his rebirths as per his karmic deeds, he was born as Kansa, son of Ugrasena the king of Mathura. His sister was Devaki and her son Krishna was an avatar of Vishnu.[1][2] Krishna eventually killed Kansa in this birth.[3]In the epic Ramayana Kalanemi was Maricha's son and minister of Ravana and was assigned to kill Hanuman
Kaliya
Kaliya (IAST:Kāliya, Devanagari: कालिय),ఖాళీయ in Hindu traditions, was a poisonous Nāga living in the Yamunā river, in Vṛndāvana. The water of the Yamunā for four leagues all around him boiled and bubbled with poison. No bird or beast could go near, and only one solitary Kadamba tree grew on the river bank. The celebration of Nāga Nathaiyā or Nāga Nṛitya is associated with the tale of Lord Krishna dancing upon and subduing Kāliya.
Kamatha
Kamatha is a Kamboja king mentioned in the Mahābhārata as one of the principal Kshatriyas taking part in the battle
Kamsa
Kamsa (Sanskrit: कंस, kansa) was the tyrant ruler of the Vrishni kingdom with its capital at Mathura. He is the cousin of Devaki, the mother of the god Krishna—who slew Kamsa. Kamsa is described as human in early sources and a rakshasa(demon) in the Puranas.[1][2][3] His royal house was called Bhoja and another of his names was Bhojapati.[4]
Kamsa was born to King Ugrasena a Yadava king and Queen Padmavati. However, out of ambition and upon the advice of his personal confidantes, Banasura and Narakasura, Kamsa decided to overthrow his father and install himself as the King of Mathura. Therefore, upon the guidance of another advisor, Chanur, Kamsa decided to marry Asti and Prapti, the daughters of Jarasandha, King of Magadha.[5]
After a heavenly voice prophesied that Devaki's eighth son will slay him, he imprisoned Devaki and her husband Vasudeva and killed all their children; however the eighth son, Krishna, an avatar of the god Vishnu, was transported to Gokul, where he was raised in the care of Nanda, the head of cowherds. Kamsa sent a host of demons to kill the child Krishna, all of whom Krishna killed. Finally, Krishna arrived in Mathura and slew his uncle Kamsa.[6]
In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Karenumati was the princess of Chedi and wife of Nakula. They had a son Niramitra.
Karna
Karna (Sanskrit: कर्ण, IAST: Karṇa), also known as Vasusena, Anga-Raja, Sutaputra and Radheya,[1] is one of the major characters in the Hindu epic Mahābhārata.[2][3] He is the son of Surya (the Sun deity) and princess Kunti (later the Pandava queen). He was conceived and born to unmarried teenage Kunti, who hides the pregnancy, then out of shame abandons the new born Karna in a basket on a river.[2][4] The basket is discovered floating on the Ganges River. He is adopted and raised by foster Suta parents named Radha and Adhiratha Nandana[1] of the charioteer and poet profession working for king Dhritarashtra.[2]Karna grows up to be an accomplished warrior of extraordinary abilities, a gifted speaker and becomes a loyal friend of Duryodhana.[2][5] He is appointed the king of Anga (Bengal)[6] by Duryodhana.[1] Karna joins the losing Duryodhana side of the Mahabharata war. He is a key antagonist who aims to kill Arjuna but dies in a battle with him during the Kurushetra war.[2][3]
He is a tragic hero in the Mahabharata, in a manner similar to Aristotle's literary category of "flawed good man".[7] He meets his biological mother late in the epic then discovers that he is the older half-brother of those he is fighting against.[5]Karna is a symbol of someone who is rejected by those who should love him but do not given the circumstances, yet becomes a man of exceptional abilities willing to give his love and life as a loyal friend. His character is developed in the epic to raise and discuss major emotional and dharma (duty, ethics, moral) dilemmas.[8][9][10] His story has inspired many secondary works, poetry and dramatic plays in the Hindu arts tradition, both in India and in southeast Asia.
Kaunteya
Kaunteya are sons of Kunti in the Mahabharata. These are the part of five Pandavas and their eldest brother Karna.
Those are:
- Yudhishthira - The eldest Pandava brother. His name means one who is steadfast even during war. He is the son of Kunti and Dharma, god of virtue, justice and morality.
- Bhima - He is the son of Kunti and Vayu, the god of air and wind, who is known for his might.
- Arjuna - He is the son of Kunti and Indra, King of the gods and the god of the sky and war.
They are also called Partha since Pritha is another name of Kunti.
Later Karna was also referred to as a Kaunteya when his real identity, as Kunti's son, came to be known after the war. Karna is the son of Kunti and Surya, the god of the sun. He was born years before Kunti's marriage to Pandu and the subsequent birth of the Pandavas.[citation needed]
KauravaKaurava is a Sanskrit term for the descendants of Kuru, a legendary king who is the ancestor of many of the characters of the Mahābhārata. The well-known Kauravas 100+1 are Duryodhana, Dushasana, Vikarna, Yuyutsu and Dussala.
The term 'Kaurava' is used in the Mahābhārata with two meanings:
- The wider meaning, is used to represent all the descendants of Kuru. This meaning, which includes the Pandava brothers, is often used in the earlier parts of popular renditions of the Mahābhārata.
- The narrower but more common meaning, is used to represent the elder line of the descendants of King Kuru. This restricts it to the children of King Dhritarashtra, as his line is the older line of descent from Kuru. It excludes the children of the younger brother Pandu, who founds his own line, the Pandava.
The rest of this article deals with the Kaurava in the narrower sense, that is, the children of Dhritarashtra by Gandhari. When referring to these children, a more specific term is also used – Dhārtarāṣṭra (Sanskrit: धार्तराष्ट्र), a derivative of Dhritarashtra.
Birth of Kauravas[edit]
After Gandhari was married to Dhritarashtra, she wrapped a bandage over her eyes and vowed to share the darkness that her husband lived in. Gandhari's brother Shakuni came to live with them to look after the interests of Gandhari. Once Sage Vyasacame to visit Gandhari in Hastinapur. She took great care of the comforts of the great saint and saw that he had a pleasant stay in Hastinapur. The saint was pleased with Gandhari and granted her a boon. Gandhari wished for one hundred sons who would be as powerful as her husband. Vyasa granted her the boon and in due course of time Gandhari found herself to be pregnant. But two years passed and still the baby was not born. Meanwhile, Kunti received a son from god Yama whom she called Yudhishthira. After two years of pregnancy, Gandhari gave birth to a hard piece of lifeless flesh that was not a baby at all. Gandhari was devastated as she had expected a hundred sons according to the blessing of Rishi Vyas. She was about to throw away the piece of flesh while Rishi Vyas appeared and told her that his blessings could not have been in vain and asked Gandhari to arrange for one hundred jars to be filled with ghee. He told Gandhari that he would cut the piece of flesh into a hundred pieces and place them in the jars, which would then develop into the one hundred sons that she so desired. Gandhari told Vyas then that she also wanted to have a daughter. Vyas agreed, cut the piece of flesh into one hundred and one pieces, and placed them each into a jar. After two more years of patient waiting the jars were ready to be opened
Khatushyam
Khatushyam is a temple situated in sikar district of Rajasthan, India. In Hinduism, Khatushyam is a name and manifestation of Barbareek, grandson of Bhim and Hidimba. Also called as Shyam Baba, a very popular super natural power. The original Sanskrit name Barbarīka is often replaced in Rajasthan by the Hindiversion, Barbarīk, often written as Barbareek.
In the Skanda Purana, Barbareeka, Baliyadev (IAST Barbarīka) was the son of Ghatotkacha and Maurvi, daughter of Daitya Moor, a Yadava king.,[1] though other references state he is a Warrior from the South. Barbarika was originally a yaksha, and was reborn as a man. He was bound by his principle of always fighting on the losing side, which led him to stand witness to the battle of Mahabharata without taking part in it. In Nepali culture Kirata King Yalamber of Nepal is portrayed as Barbarika while Native of Kathmandu Valley portrait him as Akash Bhairav.[2]
In Rajasthan, he is worshiped as Khatushyamji, and In Gujarat, he is worshiped as Baliyadev is believed to have been sacrificed before the Mahabharata war to ensure the victory of his grandfathers, the Pandavas. In return for his sacrifice, he was deified by a boon given by Krishna.
Kichaka
In the Indian epic Mahabharata, Kichaka (also spelled Keechaka) was the commander-in-chief of Matsya, the country ruled by King Virata. Kichaka was a very powerful man and had immense strength. He saved Virata kingdom many times from foes. He was killed by Ghatokacha's father, Bheema. Kichaka's sister, Sudeshna, had a son Uttarakumara and a beautiful daughter, Uttara. Uttara later married Arjuna son Abhimanyu.
He was the younger brother of Sudeshna, the queen
Kindama
Cursing King Pandu[edit]
Kindama was a very bashful person and his overriding feelings of modesty prevented him from having sex in the company of other humans. To satisfy his sexual desires, Kindama used his powers to turn himself into a deer and took a female deer as mate. Once he and his mate were having intercourse in the woods. King Pandu of Hastinapur, who had been hunting there, shot them mistaking them for deers, seriously injuring them. Enraged Kindama (still in deer form) berated the king for having killed him before he had finished the act of copulation. Before dying, Kindama cursed Pandu that he would die the moment he engaged in intercourse with any woman.[1][2]
After Kindama’s curse, Pandu renounced everything and became a hermit. Dhritarashtra the blind brother of Pandu, became the king of Hastinapur. His first wife Kunti managed to give birth to three sons (Yudhishtira, Bhima and Arjuna) with the help of gods, without Pandu's involvement. Kunti later gave a portion of this power to Pandu's second wife Madri, who also gave birth to two sons (Nakula and Sahadeva). Then, after a long time, Pandu was so enthralled by his second wife, Madri's womanly manners, that he could no longer contain his desires. As soon as he attempted intercourse with Madri, he died. Madri immolated herself in her husband’s pyre.
King Puru
Kripa
Krishna
Krishna in the Mahabharata
Kritavarma
Kunti
Kunti-Bhoja
L
Laxman Kumara
M
Madravti
Madreya
Madri
Maitreya (Mahābhārata)
Manasa
Markandeya
Mayasura
Muchukunda
N
Nahusha
Nakula
Nala
Nanda Baba
Niramitra
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