Kartavirya Arjuna
Sri Kartavirya Arjuna (Sanskrit: कार्तवीर्य अर्जुन, romanized: Kārtavīrya Arjuna), also known as Sahasrabahu Arjuna and Shri Sahasrarjuna, is a Svyām Avtarā (Himself born as) of Lord Sudarshana Chakra (weapon of supreme Lord Vishnu) in Hinduism.[4][5] According to Hindu purans, he conquered seven continents (Universe according to some texts) and ruled it for 85 thousand years from his capital at Mahishmati.[6][7][8] He is stated to be the son of Great King Kritavirya. He is described as having a thousand hands, and a great devotee of the deity Dattatreya. He is famous for easily defeating the demon king Ravana and taking him captive like a monkey.[9]
| Kartavirya Arjuna | |
|---|---|
Gives Lost Glory, Things, Valor, protection and end all sins.[1] | |
| Member of Weapon of Vishnu, Vaikuntha | |
Depiction of Sahastrabahu Arjun. | |
| Other names | Arjuna, Sahastrbahu Arjuna, Sahastraditya, Sudarshan Sahasrarjun. |
| Devanagari | कार्तवीर्य अर्जुन |
| Affiliation | Svyam Sudarshan Chakra, Vaishnavism |
| Mantra | ॐ कार्तवीर्याय विद्महे महा-वीर्याय धीमहि तन्नोऽ चक्रअर्जुनः प्रचोदयात्:।।.[2] |
| Weapon | Bow, Sword, Chakra, Trisul and 996 others |
| Day | Friday |
| Mount | Chariot similiar as Surya dev's chariot given by Lord Dattreya. |
| Texts | Narada Purana, Mahabharata, etc Puranas |
| Gender | Male |
| Temple | Shri Raj Rajeshwar Temple-Maheshwar-MP. |
| Festivals | Kartik Shukla Saptami |
| Personal information | |
| Born | Kartik Shukla Saptami, Treta Yuga (In Mahishmati) |
| Parents |
|
| Spouse | Manoramā (Ikshvaku Princess)[3] |
| Offspring |
|
| Dynasty | Haihayavansha, Yadukula, Lunar dynasty |
| Haihaya Empire | |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Kritvirya |
| Successor | Elder son of Kartavirya Arjuna.
|
| House | Yadu dynasty, Chandravansh |
| Dynasty | Haihayas of Mahishmati |
Bhagwat Puran. 9.23.25 states: "Other rulers of the earth cannot reach the status of Kartavirya Arjuna, in point of performance of sacrifices, munificent donations, asceticism, yogic powers, scholarship, victories, etc.[10]
Legend
Born
As per the Narada Purana (76:4), The Thousand Armed Sahasrabahu Arjuna was the incarnation of the Thousand Blade Sudarsana Chakra.[11] He was born on the Earth in order to face the power of Vishnu in the contest with the Shaktyavesha Avatar Parashurama. In most accounts, Kartavirya is described as a righteous king, who eventually became egotistical. The kshatriyas of his age, on account of their war with the Bhargava clan over property, became unrighteous and began oppressing and slaying innocent Brahmins, etc. On this count, the Jivatma Parashurama (destined to be a future Saptarishi) was born with the God Vishnu's divine strength and power to rid the Earth of unjust rulers. Kartavirya was slated to be his prime opponent, as the mightiest king of that time.
According to the Mahabharata and the Puranas, the most celebrated Haihaya Emperor was Kartavirya Arjuna.[12] His epithet was Sahasrabahu. He was called a Samrat and Chakravartin. His name is found in the Rig Veda (VIII.45.26).[13] He ultimately conquered Mahishmati city from Karkotaka Naga, a Naga chief and made it his fortress-capital(Which Karkota won from Kritvirya).[12]
According to the Vayu Purana and Veda (VIII.45.26k, he invaded Lanka and took Demon King Ravana prisoner.[14] Arjuna propitiated Dattatreya and was favoured by him.[15] Arjuna's sons killed sage Jamadagni. Jamadagni's son Parashurama in revenge killed Arjuna. Arjuna had a number of sons. His son Jayadhvaja succeeded him to the throne. Jayadhvaja was succeeded by his son Talajangha.[12]
In the Mahabharata Vana Parva, according to the story of Akritavana, Kartavirya Arjuna became drunk with power, despite all the boons he had acquired. He lost control of his senses and began to oppress humans, Yakshas and the very gods themselves. Kartavirya even had the audacity to insult Indra in front of Shachi. Around this time, other Kshatriyas too had become drunk with power and oppressed innocents for pleasure.
Arjuna once troubled Varuna and asked him if there was anyone equal to him in power. Varuna replied that only Jamadagni's son, Parashurama rivalled Arjuna. Enraged, Arjuna went to Jamadagni's hermitage to see Parashurama's power.
Encounter with Ravana
Rig Veda (VIII.45.26k) mentioned that Emperor Kartavirya Invaded on Lanka, lonely defeated Demon King Ravan and his army and took Ravan captive.
According to Vishnu Puran, Kartavirya is considered to be the contemporary of Ravana. The story goes that once when Kartavirya Arjuna was having a bath in the river Narmada along with his wives, he stopped the force of the river with his thousand arms from both sides.
The Dashagriva (Ravana), who was singing the hymns of Shiva and praying to him, made him lose his concentration. Enraged, he challenged the former for combat in which Ravana was defeated and was humiliated. Then, on the request of his paternal grandfather, Pulastya, Kartavirya Arjuna released Ravana.[16]
The Vayu Purana states that Kartavirya invaded Lanka, and there took Ravana as prisoner, but later he was killed by Parashurama and Ravana was rescued from Arjuna.[17]
Encounter with Parashurama
- Skanda, Matsya, Narada & Bramhvaivarta Purans legend
According to Skanda, Matsya, Narada & Bramhvaivarta Purans etc, due to the pride of his power, Sudarshana Chakra was cursed that Narayana's incarnation would go for his salvation after a good rule on the earth. In which later such conditions will arise for the war with that incarnation i.e. Parshuram. Then Arjuna's sons killed many crores of Bhargavas, after which the situation of war was created.
After which the injured Arjun bathes in the river Narmada river as per the orders of Dattatreya. Then in front of Lord Vishnu, Lord Kartavirya Arjun got absorbed in Shivling and came out as Sudarshana Chakra. This Shivling is still in Maheshwar by the name of Shri Rajrajeshwar temple.
After that Kartavirya Arjuna's 995 sons and all 21 Kshatriya kings killed Parshurama's parents and many Bhargavas, due to which Parshurama killed all Kshatriyas 21 times. But as some purans, that time only 5 religious princes were alive in Haihayavansh which was left by Parshurama and in other dynasty who were in the womb. Also after that Parshurama killed unrighteous Kshatriyas many times like Sagar's contemporary Ikshvakuvanshis father was the main one.
- According to Mahabharata
Some Puranas recount that Kartavirya Arjuna and his army visited a rishi named Jamadagni, who fed his guest and the whole army with offerings from his divine cow Kamadhenu. The king demanded the cow for the betterment of his subjects; Jamadagni refused because he needed the cow for his religious ceremonies. King Arjuna sent his soldiers to take the cow. As the conflict developed among the Jamadagni and the King, Arjuna lost his temper and chopped off the head of Jamadagni. When Parashurama (Jamadagni's son and one of the Daśāvatāras of Vishnu) returned to the hermitage, he was informed of the context by his mother. In revenge, Parashurama killed the entire clan of Arjuna and the King with a battleaxe given to him by Shiva, eventually killing all kshatriyas, thus conquering the entire earth. He enacted this wholesale eradication of the kshatriyas for 21 generations.[18]
In another legend, Kartavirya Arjuna visited the hermitage of Jamadagni, and was received by that sage's wife Renuka with all respect; but he made an ill return for her hospitality, and carried off by violence "the calf of the milch-cow of the sacred oblation." For this outrage Parashurama cut off his thousand arms and killed him.
In another legend, Kartavirya sent seventeen Akshauhinis to fight against the alone Parashurama who was on foot. Parshurama single-handedly slew the entire army and spared no one alive. Kartavirya arrived in his divine golden chariot which could go anywhere unobstructed. The King himself was a powerful archer, capable of simultaneously wielding five hundred bows and shooting five hundred arrows at a time. Parashurama broke Arjuna's bows, slew his horses and charioteer and destroyed the chariot itself with his arrows.[citation needed]
Arjuna hurled many weapons, rocks and trees at Parashurama, but the sage parried all these. Parashurama hacked off his thousand arms with his arrows and dismembered him with his axe.
Outside Indian subcontinent
Indonesia
In Indonesia version, especially in Javanese wayang, Kartavirya Arjuna (Indonesian: Kartawirya Arjuna ) is called by the name of Prabu Arjuna Sasrabahu. He is told as the son of Kartawirya and still a descendant of Batara Surya. His grandfather, Herriya, was the founder of the Mahespati Kingdom. Herriya has a sister named Resi Wisageni who has two sons named Suwandagni and Jamadagni. Suwandagni had sons named Sumantri and Sukasrana, while Jamadagni had sons named Ramabargawa (Parasurama). Thus, between Arjuna and Parasurama there is still a cousin relationship.
The Javanese version of Arjuna Sasrabahu is considered an avatar of Lord Vishnu. He ruled justly and wisely in the Mahespati Kingdom. His wife named Citrawati daughter of the Kingdom of Magadha. The person who was assigned to propose to the daughter was Sumantri. This success had made Sumantri forget herself. He also challenges Arjuna if he wants to take Citrawati as a wife, he must take it himself. After going through an exciting battle, Sumantri finally admitted defeat. Arjuna was willing to forgive as long as Sumantri could move Sriwedari Park from Mount Untarayana into Mahespati's palace. Sumantri managed to fulfill this request thanks to the help of her younger brother, Sukasrana. Arjuna who was very happy decided to appoint Sumantri as governor with the title Suwanda.
One day Arjuna went on an excursion with his wife in a river. He did triwikrama changing his form into a very large giant and while lying on the dam the flow of the river created a pond as a bathing place for Citrawati. As a result, the river overflowed to flood the camp of Ravana king of Alengka who was on his way to expand the colony. Then there was a battle between the Alengka troops against Mahespati. Because Citrawati is the reincarnation of Widawati, the woman Ravana loves, Hwana is increasingly eager to crush Mahespati's army. After Suwanda died in the battle, Arjuna Sasrabahu woke up from his sleep and immediately attacked Ravana. Arjuna managed to defeat Ravana, then tied him with chains and dragged him using a chariot. Seeing the torture, Batara Narada came down to deliver a message from heaven for Arjuna to release Ravana because the giant king was not destined to die. Arjuna also freed Ravana on the condition that he should stop spit out his anger. Ravana agreed, and from that moment he became a vassal of Arjuna Sasrabahu. With various tricks Ravana tried to eliminate Arjuna to launch his greedy act again and marry Citrawati.
One day when Arjuna was hunting alone in the forest to entertain himself, Ravana came to report to Citrawati that her husband had died in an accident. Despite Ravana's plan, Citrawati actually defended her starch by plunging into the fire. Upon hearing of his wife's death, Arjuna became even more sad. In this situation Batara Vishnu left Arjuna's body to return to heaven. Arjuna who had lost his passion for life, went to abandon his kingdom. On the way he met Ramabargawa alias Parasurama, his cousin. The valiant Brahmin wandered in search of the perfect death. Apparently he had received divine instructions that he could enter heaven if he died at the hands of Vishnu's incarnation through a fight.
Seeing a good opportunity, Ramabargawa also challenged Arjuna Sasrabahu. Arjuna who was no longer passionate about life was finally killed by Ramabargawa's ax. Batara Narada descended from heaven to explain to Ramabargawa that Vishnu had long since left Arjuna's body. Later, Vishnu will reappear as a prince from the Ayodhya Kingdom named Sri Rama. This character will later lead Ramabargawa to his death.[19][20]
References
- ^ VASHISTH, Dr M. H. K. SHASTRI and Pt LAXMI KANT. Remedies through Mantras. Sagar Publications.
- ^ VASHISTH, Dr M. H. K. SHASTRI and Pt LAXMI KANT. Remedies through Mantras. Sagar Publications.
- ^ Brahmavaivarta Purana Ganesha Khanda (Third Canto) Chapter 34.Verses 6-7, English translation by Shantilal Nagar Parimal Publications Page 643 Link: https://archive.org/details/brahma-vaivarta-puran-gita-press-gorakhpur
- ^ Shastri, J. L.; Tagare, Dr G. V. (1 January 2004). The Narada-Purana Part 1: Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology Volume 15. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-3882-6.
- ^ Books, Kausiki (24 October 2021). Narada Purana Part 3: English Translation only without Slokas. Kausiki Books.
- ^ Books, Kausiki (24 October 2021). Padma Purana Srishti Khanda Part 1: English Translation only without Slokas. Kausiki Books.
- ^ Söhnen, Renate; Söhnen-Thieme, Renate; Schreiner, Peter (1989). Brahmapurāṇa: Summary of Contents, with Index of Names and Motifs. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN 978-3-447-02960-5.
- ^ Vinay, Dr. Matsaya Puran (in Hindi). Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. ISBN 978-81-288-0678-0.
- ^ Frawley, David (2001). The Rig Veda and the History of India: Rig Veda Bharata Itihasa. Aditya Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-7742-039-5.
- ^ Shastri, J. L.; Tagare, Dr G. V. (1 January 2004). The Narada-Purana Part 1: Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology Volume 15. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-3882-6.
- ^ "Narada Purana Part 3: English Translation only without Slokas". Kausiki Books. 24 October 2021.
- ^ a b c Pargiter, F.E. (1972) [1922]. Ancient Indian Historical Tradition, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, p.265-7
- ^ Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, ISBN 81-7276-413-8, pp.157-8
- ^ Dowson, John (1984). A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology, and Religion, Geography, History. Calcutta: Rupa & Co. p. 152.
- ^ Pargiter, F.E. (1972) [1922]. Ancient Indian Historical Tradition, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, p.229.
- ^ Walker, Benjamin (9 April 2019). Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. In Two Volumes. Volume I A-L. Routledge. p. 421. ISBN 978-0-429-62465-0.
- ^ Dowson, John (1984). A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology, and Religion, Geography, History. Calcutta: Rupa & Co. pp. 151–2.
- ^ The Mahabharata, tr. John D. Smith, Penguin Classics, 2009, p. 17
- ^ Ensiklopedi wayang Indonesia, 1999, ISBN 9789799240033
- ^ Agus Kurniawan, Mengenal Tokoh Wayang: Belajar Mengenal Tokoh Wayang Kulit "Seri A"
External links
- Asoke Kumar Majumdar (1956). Chaulukyas of Gujarat. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. OCLC 4413150.
- Kisari Mohan Ganguli, The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose, 1883–1896.