Purusartha

Purusartha is a key concept in Hinduism, which holds that every human being has four proper goals that are necessary and sufficient for a fulfilling and happy life.

Dharma – signifies behaviors that are considered to be in accord with rta, the order that makes life and universe possible,[16] and includes duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues and ‘‘right way of living’’.Hindu dharma includes the religious duties, moral rights and duties of each individual, as well as behaviors that enable social order, right conduct, and those that are virtuous. Dharma, according to Van Buitenen is that which all existing beings must accept and respect to sustain harmony and order in the world. It is, states Van Buitenen, the pursuit and execution of one’s nature and true calling, thus playing one’s role in cosmic concert.

Artha – signifies the “means of life”, activities and resources that enables one to be in a state one wants to be in.Artha incorporates wealth, career, activity to make a living, financial security and economic prosperity. The proper pursuit of artha is considered an important aim of human life in Hinduism
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Kama – signifies desire, wish, passion, emotions, pleasure of the senses, the aesthetic enjoyment of life, affection, or love, with or without sexual connotations. Gavin Flood explains kāma as “love” without violating dharma (moral responsibility), artha (material prosperity) and one’s journey towards moksha (spiritual liberation).

Moksha – signifies emancipation, liberation or release.In some schools of Hinduism, moksha connotes freedom from saṃsāra, the cycle of death and rebirth, in other schools moksha connotes freedom, self-knowledge, self-realization and liberation in this life.


Purusartha focused literature
Each of these four canonical puruṣārthas was subjected to a process of study and extensive literary development in Indian history. This produced numerous treatises, with a diversity of views, in each category. Some purusartha-focused literature include,

On Dharma
These texts discuss dharma from various religious, social, duties, morals and personal ethics perspective. Each of six major schools of Hinduism has its own literature on dharma. Examples include Dharma-sutras (particularly by Gautama, Apastamba, Baudhayana and Vāsiṣṭha) and Dharma-sastras (particularly Manusmṛti, Yājñavalkya Smṛti, Nāradasmṛti and Viṣṇusmṛti). At personal dharma level, this includes many chapters of Yogasutras.

On Artha
Artha-related texts discuss artha from individual, social and as a compendium of economic policies, politics and laws. For example, the Arthashastra of Kauṭilya, the Kamandakiya Nitisara, Brihaspati Sutra, and Sukra Niti. Olivelle states that most Artha-related treatises from ancient India have been lost.

On Kama
These discuss arts, emotions, love, erotics, relationships and other sciences in the pursuit of pleasure. The Kamasutra of Vātsyāyana is most well known. Others texts include Ratirahasya, Jayamangala, Smaradipika, Ratimanjari, Ratiratnapradipika, Ananga Ranga among others.

On Moksha
These develop and debate the nature and process of liberation, freedom and spiritual release. Major treatises on the pursuit of moksa include the Upanishads, Vivekachudamani, Bhagavad Gita, and the sastras on Yoga.

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Kritavarma

According to the Puranas, he was born in the most fearless Andhaka clan of the mighty Yadavas, and son of Hŗidika.Though he is depicted as a devotee of Krishna in the Vishnu Purana, apparently he was not in good terms with Krishna, and was one of the conspirators who plotted to kill Satrajit, Krishna's father-in-law during the Syamantaka Jewel episode.

During the great battle at Kurukshetra, Kritavarma was an ally of the Kauravas against the Pandavas and led the Yadava army (also called the Narayani Sena). He was one of the three survivors of the entire Kaurava army and had helped Ashwatthama in carrying out his night attack on Panchala warriors, in which the latter had slaughtered among others, Dhrishtadyumna (the Pandava commander-in-chief), Shikhandi and the five sons of Draupadi.

The event is described in the Sauptika Parva of the Mahābhārata. He returned to his kingdom after the war and was later killed by Satyaki in Dwarka during the final departure of the Yadavas, as we find in the Mausala Parva of the Mahābhārata.

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Eklavya

In the Mahabharata, Eklaivan was the son of Hiranyadhanus, who was King Jarasandha's army commander and leader of the Nishadhas. He approached Drona to tutor him in the arts of war, especially archery.

Self-training
Deeply hurt by Drona's rejection, Eklaivan still didn't give up on his resolute will to master archery. He once stayed hidden in the forest while guru Drona was teaching the Kaurava and Pandava brothers, after they left to the ashram, Eklaivan collected the mud on which his Guru walked, as a symbolic gesture of want to follow his knowledge and foot steps, later he went into the forest and made a statue of Drona under a big old well grown tree.

He began a disciplined program of self-study over many years. Eventually, Eklaivan became an archer of exceptional prowess, greater than Drona's best pupil, Arjuna. He accepted the statue as his guru and practiced in front of it every single day.

One day when Drona and his students were going out into the forest, Arjuna saw a dog that was unable to bark due to an amazing construction of arrows in and all around his mouth. This construction was harmless to the dog, but prevented the dog from barking. Drona was amazed, but also distressed: he had promised Arjuna that he would make him the greatest archer in the world. Drona and his students investigated, and came upon Eklaivan. Upon seeing Drona,Eklaivan came and bowed to him.

Drona asked Eklaivan where he had learnt archery. Ekalavya replied "under you, Guruji", and showed Drona his statue while explaining what he had done.

Drona then reminded Eklaivan that forEklaivan to truly be Drona's pupil, Eklaivan would have to pay guru dakshina. Readily,Eklaivan offers to do anything for Drona. Drona stoically asks for the thumb from Eklaivan's right hand. Hesitant at first, Eklaivan asks for Drona to confirm the command; Drona harshly does so. Smiling, Eklaivan cuts off the thumb and presents it to Drona.

Later, Ekalavya worked as an archer of King Jarasandha. When Jarasandha planned to besiege Mathura, he was aided by Eklavya who was a skillful archer. Eklavya also helped Jarasandha and Shishupala by chasing Rukmini while she eloped with Krishna. After Jarasandha's demise, Ekalavya sought to avenge him by campaigning to destroy Kuntibhoja and every Yadava in Dwarka. During the attack, he is slain by Krishna.

Eklavya the greatest warrior who defeated the pandavas single handedly.   He is said to have knocked out Samba the son of Krisna and took him to Suyodhan  in front of the lords eyes. Even Krishna himself had to cheat to kill him.

In Indonesian legend, in a former life Eklavaya was king Phalgunadi, killed by Drona and reborn as Dhrishtadyumna to avenge the killing. In this version, Arjuna gets his name Phalguna from Phalgunadi. Ekalavya's famous and chaste wife Dewi Anggraini was always faithful to Phalgunadi, even after his death and despite Arjuna's proposals of marriage.

There is a Eklavya  temple in honor of Mahabharata fame Eklavya in Khandsa village in Sector 37 of Gurugram city in Haryana state of India. As per folklore, this is the only temple of Eklavya and it is the place where Eklavya cut his thumb and offered to guru Drona.

In honor of Eklavya, Government of India runs a Ekalavya Model Residential School (EMRS) model residential school scheme for Indian tribals.

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Pradyumna

When Pradyumna grew up, he battled the demon Sambara and killed him using the Vaishnavastra. Soon after Pradyumna became a constant companion of his father Krishna and was well liked by the people of Dvaraka. Pradyumna was a mighty Maharathi warrior.

 He possessed the extremely rare Vaishnavastra which is the most powerful weapon in the universe. Also he was one of the very few people to know the secret of the Chakra Vyuha. But Pradyumna did not participate in the Kurukshetra War as he went on a pilgrimage with his uncle Balarama and other yadavas.

In accordance to Lord Shiva's boon to Rati, he married her incarnation, Princess Rukmavati, the Princess of Vidarbha and daughter of his maternal uncle, Bhimkaraya Rukmi. It is said that Rukmavati found his valor, handsomeness and charm beyond words and insisted on marrying him at her swayamvara. With her, he fathered,

 Krishna's grandson and favourite, also considered a vyuha avatar of Vishnu, Prince Aniruddha.Pradyumna was later killed in an intoxicated brawl at Dvaraka that resulted in the death of most Yadava warriors.

Knowing that their destruction was near, the Yadavas retired to Prabhasa where they were allotted temporary residences. When their time had come Vrishnis started revelling and drinking. Satyaki who was inebriated laughed at and insulted Kritavarma for killing the Pandava army in midst of their sleep. Pradyumna applauded Satyaki for this which highly incensed Kritavarma. He then taunted Satyaki by saying that he had slain the armless Bhurshiravas who had given up all hostile intentions.

Satyaki then narrated the incident when Kritavarma tried to kill Satrajit. Satyabhama upon hearing this became angry and started crying. She then approaced Krishna and sat on his lap greatly increasing his anger towards Kritavarma.

Satyaki then rising up in anger said that he would Kritavarma for slaying the warriors of the Pandava army while they were asleep. Having said this he rushed towards Kritavarma and severed his head with a sword. He then started killing the warriors who were on Kritavarma's side.

Krishna then ran to stop Satyaki. The Bhojas and the Andhakas incensed at Satyaki surrounded him. Krishna knowing the character of the hour stood there unmoved and let them do whatever they could do. The Bhojas and Andhakas started striking Satyaki with the pots in which they had been eating.

Pradyumna upon seeing this became highly enraged and rushed forward for rescuing Satyaki who was engaged with the Bhojas and the Andhakas. However the numbers of the Bhojas and Andhakas overwhelmed the two warriors and they were slain in front of Krishna.

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Satyaki

Satyaki strongly and passionately favored the cause of the Pandavas over the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra War, despite the fact that the Vrishini army had been promised to Duryodhana by Krishna. Satyaki accompanied Krishna to the Kuru capital, with Krishna as the emissary of peace which was ridiculed and turned down by Duryodhana.


The fourteenth day of the conflict features Satyaki in a prominent role. With Arjuna attempting to pierce Drona's formation, in order to fulfill his oath of killing Jayadratha, Satyaki defends Yudhishthira from Drona, who was attempting to capture the emperor in Arjuna's absence. Rescuing Dhristadyumna from Drona, Satyaki engages in a long fight with Drona, taking up the morning's fight.

Drona gets so frustrated by Satyaki, that he even uses divine weapons, which Satyaki counters using his knowledge of divine weapons from his education under Arjuna. Eventually, Satyaki tires, and he is wounded by Drona's arrows. He is rescued by a new attack from the Upapandavas. Ultimately, Satyaki manages to stall Drona long enough that Duryodhana, frustrated with Drona's lack of progress, withdraws Drona to focus on the conflict with Arjuna.

Later in the day, Yudhishthira gets worried that he cannot hear the twang of Arjuna's Gandiva bow. Despite his protests that protecting the king was more important, Satyaki is ordered to find and aid Arjuna. At the entrance to the Padmavyuha, he meets Drona. Drona tells Satyaki how Arjuna avoided Drona by asking permission to leave; permission which Drona granted. Satyaki tells Drona that he also must leave then, as Arjuna is Satyaki's guru, and the disciple should follow the teacher's example.

As Arjuna is being attacked from multiple sides, Satyaki appears, along with Bhima, to help Arjuna. Satyaki fights an intense battle with archrival, Bhurisravas with whom he had a long standing family feud, following from when Satyaki's grandfather defeated Bhurisravas's father in a duel.

After a long and bloody battle, Satyaki, already exhausted from fighting Drona, begins to falter, and Bhurisravas pummels him and drags him across the battlefield. Raising his sword, Bhurisravas prepares to kill Satyaki, but he is rescued from death by Arjuna, who shoots an arrow cutting off Bhurisravas's arm.

Bhurisrava wails out that by striking him without warning, Arjuna had disgraced the honor between warriors. Arjuna rebukes him for attacking a defenseless Satyaki. Moreover, he criticizes Bhurisravas for his actions during the death of Abhimanyu. Recognizing his shame, Bhurisravas lays out his weapons and sits down in meditation.

Satyaki then emerges from his swoon, and swiftly decapitates his enemy. He is condemned for this rash act, but Satyaki states that the moment Bhurisravas struck his semiconscious body, he had sworn that he would kill Bhurisravas. With the day's battle nearly over and Jayadratha still far away, the debate of the morality of Satyaki's actions is shelved.

On the fifteenth day of battle, Satyaki killed Bhurisravas's father Somadatta, and helped Bhima killed Somadatta's father, Bahlika. He had also fought with Duryodhana and defeated him after the later had defeated Nakula.

In the Kurukshetra war, Satyaki and Kritavarma were two important Yadava heroes who fought on the opposing sides. Satyaki fought on the side of the Pandavas, whereas Kritavarma joined the Kauravas. Satyaki is also noted as an ayurvedic physician who was an expert in Shalya (surgery) and Shalakya (Eye/ENT), he is mentioned by Dalhana in Timir and Annantvat (sushrut Uttartantra) and by Chakrapani in Netraroga (Charak).

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Bhagadatta

In the Battle of Kurukshetra, Bhagadatta fought on the side of the Kauravas. He was very well known for his skill on his elephant. On the 12th day of the war, he was involved in a fierce battle with Arjuna on his World Elephant Supratika, who was being attacked by Bhima. During the course of this battle, Bhagadatta fired an irresistible weapon called Vaishnavastra on Arjuna.

But, Arjuna was saved from death by the timely intervention of Krishna. Krishna let himself to be cushion for that potent weapon, which turned into a garland and fell on Krishna. The Vaishnavastra was only known to Lord Krishna, Narakasura, Bhagadatta, Pradyumna and Parashurama during the Mahabharata age. In the Ramayana age the Vaishnavastra was known only to Lord Rama and Indrajit. Finally, Bhagadatta was beheaded by a lethal arrow shot by Arjuna.

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Bhurishravas

Bhurishravas was a prince of a minor kingdom in the kingdom of Bahlika and played a role in the Mahabharata epic.Bhurishravas’ father, Somadatta, once clashed with another prince called Sini. When Devaki, the mother of Lord Krishna was still unwed, many princes competed for her hand in marriage including Somadatta and Sini who fought a great battle over her. Sini, fighting on behalf of Vasudeva won the battle. This incident launched an hatred between the Sini and Somadatta families leading to a sibling rivalry.
By the time of the Battle of Kurukshetra, Saini’s grandson Satyaki, now a king of the Vrishnis, was allied with the Pandava army while Bhurishravas, now aged, sided with the Kauravas and was one of the eleven commanders of the Kaurava army.

On the 14th day of the battle Bhurishravas challenged Satyaki. When Satyaki began to tire after a long and bloody battle, Bhurishravas battered him and dragged him across the battlefield. Arjuna, the leading warrior on the Pandava army, was alerted to Satyaki’s danger by Lord Krishna. Just as Bhurishravas was preparing to kill Satyaki, Arjuna came to the rescue, shooting an arrow cutting off Bhurishravas’ arm.

Bhurishravas wailed that by striking him without a formal challenge, and from behind, Arjuna had disgraced the honor between warriors. Arjuna in turn rebuked Bhurishravas for attempting to kill an unarmed Satyaki – an act also against the rules of war. Arjuna reiterated that protecting Satyaki’s life at all costs was his responsibility as a friend and comrade in arms.

At this point, realising his folly, Bhurishravas laid down his weapons, and sat in the lotus posture to practice yoga.
But then Satyaki emerged from his swoon, and before Arjuna could stop him, swiftly decapitated his enemy.

The warriors on both sides of the battle universally condemned Satyaki for this act – one of the incidents in the epic showing the superiority of dharma and honor against the uncontrollable power of hatred. Symbolically, as Bhurishravas’ attempt to kill the unarmed Satyaki immediately resulted in his own death in the same manner, Bhurishravas can be seen as representing the binding effects of one’s material actions (karma).

Most of times, whenever he is angry he was stratigically fought with Yudhistra , who his known for his cool and calm behavior. Hence, he was never able to display full potential.

Although, he reached very close to his maximum angry level when he heard that hios father has been killed and Duryodhana is almost dead. At that time, he attacked pandavas’ camp to kill all their sons. Actaully, he thought he hsa killed all 5 pandavas, hence, he angry level came down.

After this act, he was cursed was Krishna as a chiranjeevi and his wounds would never heel. At this time, he realised his mistake and then his all boons and angry power was taken off.

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Ashwattama

Ashwattama, Son of Drona, is one of the strongest warrior in Mahabharata. He was born immortal because of part incarnation of Shiva and Rudra, due to the strong penances by Drona to Lord Shiva. Like Shiva, He also had a gem on his head. He was also an archer, learned everything through his father. He was a friend of both Pandavas and Kauravas. But due to the timely helps his father received from Kuru king, he was sided with Kauravas.

It is also said that the Lords Vishnu and Shiva had took part in Mahabharata indirectly. Vishnu as avatar of Krishna and Shiva as a part of Ashwattama. Both of them were in opposite sides.

Bhishma has described about Ashwattama's strength during the tale of Rathas. It is impossible for anyone to kill or defeat Ashwatthama in war. Bhishma also said when Ashwatthama becomes angry then it will be impossible to fight him as he becomes a second Shiva. No one can handle his wrath and fury.

Before the war and even during the war at many instances he requested Duryodhana to stop the war. But his request was denied. He was the only holder of Narayana-Astra, which was passed to him by Drona.

When Duryodhana was at death bed, he appointed Ashwattama as commander and ordered to Kill Pandavas. It was actually a night raid. Ashwattama couldn't enter inside due to the strong protection to the Pandavas camp. He prayed to Lord Shiva to fulfill his request. Lord Krishna knowing about Lord Shiva's anger vacated only Pandavas from their camp. Then Lord Shiva entered his soul, attacked and killed each and everyone who had participated in the war.

Then Ashwattama fired a mighty Brahmma weapon against Pandavas. To counter, Arjuna invoked the same. But then Rishis Vyasa and Narada requested to stop their attack. Arjuna reverted his weapon, but Ashwattama couldn't do so as he lacks such knowledge. He then changed the direction of weapon from Pandavas to Uttara's womb. It then kills the unborn baby. However Krishna intervened and gave a new life to the baby. Krishna cursed Ashwattama to be living dead for 3000 years. As per Vyasa, he returned his gem to the Pandavas to accept the curse. Being immortal and having that gem in his head, he cannot be killed or harmed in anyway.

He possessed all kinds of astra including bramhastra. But, he dont know its full use, i.e. he cannot summon the bramastra back, once launched.

Now coming to his strength. He was son dronacharya, and dronacharya wanted a son as an avatar on Shiva. For this, he performed yags and tapasya.

Ashwattama was born as a rudra and possessed a rudra on his forehead. This is kind of equivalent to Lord Shiva’s third eye. As a result, he cannot affected with any disease.

If he is as angry as Lord Shiva, or to his maximum level , he can make destruction what no one can do (including Bhisma, Bim, Karna and yes, even Arjun). This was his strength but he was unable to do so in his life. Thanks to Lord Krishna.

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Jayadratha

The first boon from Shiva
Jayadratha desires to avenge his humiliation from the Pandavas by defeating them in the battle field. So, Jayadratha performs a rigorous tapasya in order to please Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva appears before him, Jayadratha in turn asks for the ability to defeat the Pandavas. Shiva replies that such a boon is impossible, as the Pandavas are too mighty. However, he gives Jayadratha the ability to check the advance of the Pandavas and their forces for one whole day. However, Shiva warns Jayadratha that Arjuna is an exception to this boon.

The messages of the encounter are manifold. One, that Lord Shiva is known to love all of his devotees equally and does not ignore the tapasya of anyone. Two, that God must return prayer with something. Three, that God, or any giver of boon, should only promise what is within his limits.

The second boon from his father
Years before abdicating his throne, Jayadratha's father, Vridhakshtra, hears a prophecy that his son is going to be killed. Scared for his lineage, Vridhakshtra leaves for the forest and becomes a sage. Through penance, he attempts to gain enough spiritual power to grant his son immortality or the equivalent of Bhishma's boon. However, he only manages enough to curse that whoever causes Jayadratha's head to fall to the ground will turn to ash.

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Kartavirya Arjuna

Kārtavīrya Arjuna; also known as Sahastrabahu Arjuna) was a legendary king of an ancient Haihayas kingdom with capital at Mahishamati which is on the banks of Narmada River in the current state of Madhya Pradesh. Kartavirya was son of Kritavirya, king of the Haihayas. This is his patronymic, by which he is best known; his real name was Kartaviryarjuna. He is described as having a thousand hands and a great devotee of god Dattatreya.

Kartavirya was son of Kritavirya, king of the Haihayas. This is his patronymic, by which he is best known; his real name was Kartaviryarjuna. He is described as having a thousand hands and a great devotee of god Dattatreya. Vayu Purana mentions that he ruled for 88,000 years with unbroken health, prosperity, strength, and valour.

The 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 Kartavirya Arjuna sent his soldiers to take the cow. As the conflict developed among the Jamadagni and the King, Kartavirya Arjuna lost his cool 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 chopped off his 1000 arms and killed him and the entire clan of Kartavirya Arjuna with a battleaxe given to him by Shiva, thus conquering the entire earth, which he gave to Brahmanas. Also he gets back the divine cow with him.

Kartavirya's most famous feat was to defeat Ravana in a duel. Ravana was hopelessly outmatched by Kartavirya in physical strength or skill. Ravana was captured by Kartavirya and chained in Mahishmati, until he was freed by his grandfather, Sage Pulastya. Kartavirya once burnt huge tracts of forests to satisfy the hunger of Agni. Out of ignorance, he burnt the hermitage of the sage, Apava Vasistha. The latter cursed the king that he would be dismembered and slain by a Brahmana

Shahastra Bahu Kartivirya Arjuna had ruled 88,000 years and it's longest in Sanatan Dharma.

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Indrajith

 
 Meghanada was the son of Ravana, the demon king of Lanka and a brave warrior who also joined the fight against Rama and the Vanara sena.
 It began with Ravana’s quest for the perfect son

Ravana, as we know was immensely powerful, and like all egoistic people wanted the perfect son. He ordered the planets to be in the perfect constellation for an auspicious birth of his son. Ravana at the time had conquered everything there was to conquer.The planets, fearing Ravana’s wrath obliged. Thus, his son was born at the most auspicious time, assuring him of a great life ahead.

Ravana’s son was born of his wife Mandodari, and when the son was born, his cries sounded like thunder, and hence was named Meghanad (meaning thunderous in Sanskrit).During the battle of Ramayana, he almost wiped out the entire Vanara army single-handedly

Indrajit only entered the battle after Ravana was defeated and Kumbhakarna was killed. He also lost all his brothers and cousins too. He was invincible and the day he entered the battle, and he spread terror through the ranks of Rama’s army.

During the time he was on the battlefield, he completely obliterated his enemies and there was no stopping him.

Hanuman, who was one of the strongest beings on Earth to ever live was defeated by Indrajit. Indrajit captured and defeated him by using the Brahmastra. But it is said that it was respect shown by Hanuman to the Brahmastra


 Meghanada was undefeatable in battle by virtue of a special yajna which he used to perform before the battle. This yagya made him invincible and impossible to be defeated by any of his enemies.

 He was so powerful that he conquered all the three worlds and Indra Loka too, as he had defeated Indra. Indra was captured by Meghnada and imprisoned in Lanka, where he was the subject of ridicule at the palace.

 This great victory over the Devas and their king earned Meghnada the title of Indrajit. He had also captured Rama and Lakshmana with his famous weapon Ngapasam.

  He had also attacked Lakshmana with his dangerous astra the shakti by piercing his body with it. Lakshmana was on the verge of death and had to be rescued by Lord Hanuman, who had brought the Sanjivani herbs from mainland India.

   Even Rama failed to defeat him twice. Such was the power and strength of Ravana’s son Indrajit. Even though Lakshmana ultimately killed Indrajit by disturbing his yagya, he was definitely a very influential character in the Ramayana.

  Shukra, the guru of the demons guided Indrajit towards possessing several divine celestial weapons such as Pashupatastra, Brahmastra and Vaishnavastra at a very young age. Indrajit had a wife named Sulochana, who was the daughter of Shesha Naga, the king of serpents. Sulochana is also known by the name of Prameela.

  In a battle known as Devasura Sangram, Indrajit defeated Indra, tied him up and mounted him on his celestial chariot. But soon Lord Brahma intervened and asked Indrajit to release him. Indrajit obliged to this and was asked by Brahma to wish for any boon.

 Rama, the avatar of Vishnu was defeated when Indrajit let loose one of his most powerful weapons – the Nagapash. The weapon unleashed a million snakes that wrapped themselves around the bodies of Rama and Laxmana.They fell defeated and utterly exhausted and had to be saved by Garuda.

Indrajit realizes that Rama is no ordinary human and pleads to his father to surrender and give Sita back

The Vaishnavastra – the weapon of Vishnu, circumnavigated Laxmana without harming him. Indrajit realized that Laxmana and Rama are no human beings and transported himself instantaneously in front of Ravana using his magical powers.He pleaded to his father to give Sita back or face sure defeat.

 Ravana laughs and humiliates Indrajit, calling him a coward.Ravana, drunk with power, refused to pay heed to his own son, just like he ignored Vibhishana. He called Indrajit a coward for running away from the battle. Indrajit is ashamed and with anger, he tells his father that it was because of his duty as a son he was still fighting.However, he assured Ravana that he will not abandon his side, come what may.

Indrajit realized that his father will never surrender Sita. He also realized that Rama and Laxmana are much more than just humans. He walked into the battle with a finality, accepting his death at the hands of Laxmana. But he still fought valiantly Indrajit accepts his fate and walks to his own death knowing his fate is sealed.

Indrajit was the only person in the whole universe to hold the three ultimate weapons – Brahmanda Astra, Pashupatastra, and Vaishnavastra together.
He was also known as a Mhamaharathi who is capable of engaging 24 Aathimaharathis at the same time.And he never left his father’s side and played the role of a religious son – literally to his own death.

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Balarama

Balarama spent his childhood as a cow herder with his brother Krishna. He killed Dhenuka, an asura sent by Kansa, as well as Pralamba and Mushtika wrestlers sent by the king. After the evil king died, Balarama and Krishna went to the ashrama of sage Sandipani at Ujjayini for study. He later married Revati, the daughter of King Kakudmi, ruler of Kushasthali or Anarta.

Balarama taught both Duryodhana of the Kauravas and Bhima of the Pandavas the art of fighting with a mace. When war broke between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, Balarama cared for both sides, and so remained neutral. When Bhima defeated Duryodhana by striking him in the groin with his mace, Balarama threatened to kill Bhima. This was prevented when Krishna reminded Balarama of the vow of Bhima—to kill Duryodhana by crushing the thigh he had exposed to Bhima's wife Draupadi.

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Valli

 Bali killed Dundubhi. Sage Matang had his hermitage at Rishiyamooka Mountain. When the stream of blood fell on his hermitage which resulted from killing of Dundabhi, he wondered about thereason. Suddenly a Yaksha came and revealed the secret behind the stream of blood. Indignant, sage Matang cursed Baali that he would die if he ever ventured on Rishiyamooka Mountain. That is the reason Bali could not visit Rishiyamooka mountain.

Brahma had given a boon to Bali which made him virtually impossible to defeat and kill. Whenever facing an enemy in a combat, Bali would get half of the strength of his opponent. He was killed when he was involved in a fight with his brother, Sugriva. (This episode is detailed in Kishkindha kand – The Ramayana)

The might of Bali was such that he defeated and moved around while holding Ravana under his armpit. Ravana, the demon king of lanka and the main antagonist of the Ramayana, was a mighty ruler, but even he was helpless before Bali. So Ravana was weak before monkey ( Bali) and Rama (human).

Once, Bali chased a demon Mayavi after killing his brother Dundabhi. Mayavi entered into a cave where Bali followed him. Bali too followed him into the cave. But before entering he cave, he instructed Sugriva to wait outside for a fortnight. He also said that if he did not come out of the cave after fifteen days, Sugriva would understand that Bali had been killed.

After a month, He saw blood coming out of the cave and assumed that Bali was dead. Sugriva returned to the kingdom as  a king. But Bali was alive. When he came back and saw Sugriva running the kingdom of Pampapuri,he became furious. He drove Sugriva out and enslaved his wife as well.  Sugriva was hiding in Rishiyamooka mountain, because of curse of Sage Matang, this place was safe.

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Banasura

Bana (also called Banasura), in purana, was a thousand-armed asura King and son of Bali.Banasura is believed to have ruled the present-day central Assam with his capital at Sonitpur (present-day Tezpur, Assam).  According to purana, Banasura was the King of ancient Nepal.

Banasura, a mighty asura once ruled over a large kingdom. So strong and fierce was his influence that all the kings and even some of the devas shuddered in front of his might. An ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, used his thousand arms to play the Mridanga when Shiva was performing the tandava dance.

  Shiva gave Banasura a boon and Banasura requested Shiva to be his protector. Banasura became invincible. As time passed, Banasura become cruel montay and arrogant. He locked up his daughter, Usha in a fortress called Agnigarh because many young suitors came to him asking for her hand. One day, Usha saw a young man in her dream and fell in love with him.

   Chitraleka was a friend of Usha and daughter of Kumbhanda, Minister of Banasura. Chitralekha was a talented artist who helped Usha to identify the young man seen in her dream, by sketching various portraits. She had dreamt of Aniruddha, the grandson of Lord Krishna. Chitralekha, through supernatural powers, abducted Aniruddha from the palace of Krishna and brought him to Usha.

A Daitya princess named Usha, daughter of Bana, fell in love with Aniruddha and had him brought by magic influence to her apartments in her father's city of Sonitpura in Assam. However, according to some legends, Shonitpur is also identified with Sarahan in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. Going by their legends, Pradyumna was made the king of Shonitpur & subsequently the Bushahr state by Lord Krishna himself. Bana sent guards to seize him, but the valiant youth, taking an iron club, slew his assailants. Bana then brought his magic powers to bear and secured him.

On discovering that Aniruddha had been carried away, Krishna, Balarama, and Pradyumna went to rescue him. Bansura was a great devotee of the god Shiva and had 1000 arms, as a result of which no one had ever been willing to fight him. Blinded by his pride, he asked Shiva to give him a chance to fight with someone as strong as himself. Shiva therefore cursed him to defeat in war by Krishna, an Avatar of Vishnu.

Only after some months Krishna came to know where his grandson was and launched an attack on Banasura with a big army. Thus a great battle was fought.

When the army laid siege to his city, Banasura staged a fierce counter-attack. At this point, Lord Shiva joined the battle against Krishna because he had promised protection to Banasura. The fight was intense in all directions, and Siva (also known as Mahesvara) caused a mighty fever with three heads and three legs (Mahesvari jvara). But Krishna generated a counter-fever. Ultimately Krishna’s forces were close to victory and Krishna himself was vigorously cutting off the myriad arms of Banasura. Siva again intervened because of his promise to Banasura.

Krishna, however, assured Siva that he had no intention of killing Banasura, but would leave him with only four arms so that his power would be limited. However, in honour of the demon’s boon from Siva, Krishna promised that Banasura would have nothing to fear from anybody in the future.

Gratefully, Banasura prostrated before Krishna and then had Aniruddha and his bride, Usha, brought to Krishna in a regal chariot. All then returned to Dvarka, where Krishna’s victory in the combat with Bana was celebrated with festivity.

The genealogy of Banasura is as follows:
Brahma's son was Marichi
Marichi's son was Kashyapa,
Kashyapa's sons were Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha,
Hiranyakashipu's son was Prahlada,
Prahlada's son was Virochana,
Virochana's son was Bali,
Bali's son was Banasura
Banasura's at the last daughter usha .

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Maha bali

Bali was the son of Devamba and Virochana. He grew up under the tutelage of his grandfather, Prahlada, who instilled in him a strong sense of righteousness and devotion.

Bali succeeded Virochana as the king of the Asuras, and his reign over the realm was characterized by peace and prosperity. He later expanded his realm, brought the entire world under his benevolent rule, and was able to conquer the underworld and Heaven. This was done by wrestling Indra and the Devas. The Devas approached their patron Vishnu and entreated him to restore their lordship over Heaven.[citation needed]

Shukracharya, the guru and advisor of Bali, advised Bali to perform the Viswajit Yagna (Sacrifice for the Conquest of the World.)

In Heaven, led by Shukra, Bali began the Ashwamedha Yaga at the Narmada River so as to maintain his rule over the three worlds. The ceremony had several Brahmins present, that Bali had invited.Vishnu, meanwhile, adopted the avatar of Vamana, a small Brahmin boy, and, during the rite, approached Bali and requested a grant of land – although only as much land as he could cover with three paces.

Despite the warnings of his advisor, Bali granted this boon. Vamana then grew to an immense size, and, with his first pace, traversed all of the earth and the underworld. With his second pace, he covered Heaven in its entirety. Admitting defeat, and seeing that Vamana has no more room for his last step, Bali offered his own head as a stepping-stone. At this time the asuras spoke out in protest, but Bali explained that all living and non-living things are God's creation, and so it was God's right to have their return. Lord Vishnu put his third foot on Mahabali's head causing him to drown in the netherworld, that is traditionally called Patala. Lord Vishnu, seeing the devotion of Mahabali, blessed him to be the Indra of the next Manvantra.

When Bali Became Pious

Mahabali offering boon to Vamana.
According to the Yoga Vasistha, after inquiring about the realm beyond the universe, heaven, devas and asuras, which is ruled by the mind, Bali thus concentrates on the mind and being satisfied in himself, and teaches the asuras to do so likewise.From then on, he became a devotee.

He is hailed to be a supreme example of the highest and the ultimate Sadhana of Nava Vidha Bhakti, namely Atmanivedanam.

It is believed that Bali was a practitioner of the Raja Yoga.

Battle with Indra and Acquiring Indra's Possessions[edit]
Other versions describing the first battle between Bali and Indra indicate that Bali was not beheaded and that the Brahmin Sukracarya performed the "Mrityu sanjeevani" (wherein only non-beheaded bodies can be revived.)

It is believed in texts such as Abhinanda's Rāmaćarita[21] that Bali had not yet achieved Indra's throne, and as a result was performing the Aswamedha Yagna (which Indian kings have historically performed to enlarge their kingdom) to finally achieve it. He attempted to perform as many as Indra. Then Vamana intervened and in the sacrifice asked for 3 strides of land.

Vishnu Supported Bali to Teach Indra[edit]
According to the Brahma-Vaivarta Puranam, it was Lord Vishnu who positioned Bali in power to curb the pride of Indra.

The Bhagavata Purana reads "He (Vishnu) will take the kingdom away from Purandara (Lord Indra) and give it to Bali Maharaja."

Composition of song: King Mahabali had composed a beautiful song 'Hari Nama Mala Stotram" in honour of Lord Vishnu. Pandit Jasraj has a famous Bhajan by the name of 'Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya' which is this poem.

Shiva Blessed Bali
A Shaiva tradition declares that a rat, by coming into contact with a lamp (and thus making it burn brighter) in a Siva temple was born subsequently as the famous emperor, Mahabali. According to this legend, first Lord Shiva said to his consort Paravati that anyone who would make the "deepa" (lamp) burn brighter would become the ruler of the three worlds.[26] A rat approached it, wanting to drink the ghee (melted butter) but as it attempted to drink, the flame was rekindled into its mouth. Parvati asked Lord Shiva to keep his promise and so Lord Shiva did.

The Skanda Purana, a Shaivite text also reads that Bali worships Shiva everyday.

Bali Bound in Ropes
Although Bali was true to his word on giving whatever Vamana requested, in some legends, he is said to have been bounded with the ropes of Varuna by Garuda since Vamana could not place his foot anywhere on the earth and Bali requested Vamana place it on Bali's own head. In the Bhagavata Purana. Brahma then asks Vamana to release Bali. Bali was released from the ropes and bowed before Vishnu.

According to the Padma Purana, Bali along with his kinsmen, friends and followers were bound.

Bali After Leaving Earth
It is said that Bali attained Moksha by atmanivedanam. Krishna in the Sri Rūpa Gosvāmīs Bhakti-rasāmrta-sindhu says that Bali came to Him or attained Him. According to the Adhatya Ramayana It is also said that Vamana is the guard of the gate of Bali's planet Sutala and will remain so forever. Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas too declares that Vamana became the Dvarapala (gate-keeper) of Bali. In the Vamana Puranna, it is written that Bali performed the Aswamedha sacrifice in the Kurukshetra, where Bali deprived Indra of his kingdom.

King Bali had only one son named Bana (or Banasura). Bana's daughter Usha married to Aniruddha son of Pradyumna and the grandson of Krishna. She gave birth to Vajra, whose lineage is traced to the royal family of Jaisalmer. Bana is a gotra (clan) of Jats found in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand in India. Banas who formed Bana Kingdom are descendants of King Banasura. Balija`s(Bali+Ja(Born) = Balija) of South India claim that they are descendants of the King Bali.

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Hiranyakashipu

Hiranyakashipu was a powerful Demon king who worshiped  Brahma for a Boon.

Brahma granted him the boon because of his hard Tapasya. Hiranyakashipu asked for such a boon which made it impossible for any one to kill him. Hiranyakashipu asked for the boon that should not be killed during day or night, neither on earth nor in sky, neither by man nor by animal, neither in  nor outside home, neither by Astra nor by shastra (tools and weapons).

After attaining such a boon Hiranyakashipu attacked Havens and earth and demanded people to worship him. Hiranyakashipu’s Son Prahlada was a devotee of Lord Vishnu . Despite of all his efforts Hiranyakashipu could not make his son to hate VIshnu. Hiranyakashipu ordered to kill Prahlada . Prahlada was poisened, trembled by elephants, throun between hungry snakes, even Hiranyakashipu’s sister  Holika could not kill him.

Hiranyakashipu is an Asura from the Puranic scriptures. His younger brother, Hiranyaksha was slain by Varaha, one of the Avatars of Vishnu. Angered by this, Hiranyakashipu decided to gain magical powers by performing a penance for Lord Brahma. He was subsequently killed by the Narasimha Avatara of Lord Vishnu. His tale depicts the futility of desiring power over others and the strength of God's protection over his fully surrendered devotees (in the case of his son Prahlada).

Hiranyakashipu, according to legend, was the king of the daityas and had earned a boon from Brahma that made him virtually indestructible. He grew arrogant, thought he was God, and demanded that everyone worship only him.

The story of Hiranyakashipu is in three parts. The first has to do with the curse of the Four Kumaras on the gatekeepers of Vaikuntha, Jaya and Vijaya, which causes them to be born as the daityass Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha. The second part deals with Hiranyakashipu's penance to propitiate Brahma and gain a boon from him. The final part deals with his efforts to kill his son Prahlada (a devotee of Vishnu) and his subsequent death at the hands of Narasimha.

The Anusasana Parva of the Mahabharata, the Sage Upamanyu briefly mentioned to Krishna that Hiranyakashipu also performed another penance to please Lord Shiva. Shiva granted Hiranyakashipu the boon that he would have unrivalled combat prowess, exceeding skill in the use of bow and other weapons as well as the powers of all the gods, including Indra, Yama, Kubera, Sūrya, Agni, Vayu, Soma and Varuna.

In consequence of these two boons, Hiranyakashipu become so mighty that he was able to shake the very Himalayas down to their roots. Ravana once tried to lift Hiranyakashipu's earrings but he was unable to do so because they were very heavy.

The Brahmanda Purana mentions that Hiranyakashipu ruled for 107,280,000 years.

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Bhishma

Trained in martial skills by Lord Parashuram himself ( renowned as his favourite disciple ), Bhishma was the most feared warrior in the entire geography of Aryavarta and in multiple generations, having lived a long life. Right from his boyhood when he could dam the mighty flow of River Ganges through his arrow-work to effortlessly defeating the  princes of Gandhara, Shalva and Kashi, he was acknowledged as a peerless warrior.

Another testimony for his might was his battle with Lord Parashuram lasting for 23 days which was a tie. This was when no other warrior could dare stand before Parashuram out of fear and respect, least of all in battlefield. This is what Lord Parashurama had to say (to Amba) in the end -   "Using even the very best of weapons I have not been able to obtain any advantage over Bhishma, that foremost of all wielders of weapons! I have exerted now to the best of my power and might. Seek the protection of Bhishma himself, you have no other refuge now." I don't think there is anything left to say after this.

In the Mahabharata war, even at an old age and probably past his peak, Bhishma still stood the tallest of all warriors in the first 10 days while he was the Commander-General of the Kaurava army. Even though he vowed not to kill Pandavas, he inflicted tremendous damage to their army and morale, often described as 'Yama' (God of Death) on that battlefield. It was Arjuna's inability to defeat Bhishma that even Lord Krishna lost his patience and was ready to break his vow of not wielding a weapon. Eventually, he was fatally injured by Arjuna's arrows when he laid down all his weapons before Shikhandi.

The garland of ever fresh lotuses

This is the story of Amba and Bhishma. It is a well known fact that Amba was discarded by her lover and Bhishma. She did severe penance to exact her revenge on Bhishma. Following this, Lord Subramanya appeared and given her a garland of lotuses which were fresh forever. This was also said that whosoever wears the garland, would be the enemy of Bhishma. Getting her desired blessing, she sought the help of the present warriors, but such was the clout of Bhishma, nobody dared to accept the garland.Frustrated, she hanged the garland at the gates of King Drupad and left.  Later on, she dived in a pyre of fire and given her life. In her next life, she was born as a girl to Drupad and playfully wore the garland and later became the reason of Bhishma’s demise.

The stalemate between Bhishma and Parshurama – teacher and disciple

After leaving garland of Lotus, Amba reached to Parshurama and requested him to teach Bhishma a lesson. Parshurama, who also was the teacher of Bhishma, decided to fight him in order to have justice for Amba. The fight ensued for a long time and nobody could be beaten. Reason, Parshurama was akhand chiranjeevi, means one who could not die and Bhishma had a boon from his father, Shantanu, that he would be able to choose the time of his death.

The sixteen year old who held a river

Bhishma was the child of Ganga and Shantanu. There is a story of how Ganga drowned her seven sons, and Bhishma was eighth. This was because of a curse from sage Vasistha. Ganga took her eighth child away with her. After 16 years, a youth was found stopping the water flow of Ganga with a wall of arrows. When Shantanu came to know, he himself went to see that. He found a young man doing this, then he got ready to have a fight with him, the then Gangaa came, introduced him as his son and handed over him to Shantanu. Shantanu brought him home. His Guru were Parashuraam Jee and Brihaspati Jee like teachers.

Bhishma chose his date of death and waited for 58 days

Grandsire Bhishma’s body was pierced all over by arrows which served as his bed. He noticed that the sun was in Dakshinayana and hence it was not the best time to embrace death. Hence he waited 58 days for Uttarayana while lying on the bed of arrows. Bhishma Pitamaha had attained a boon from his father Shantanu that death would befall him only when he desired it.

Bhishma teaches Pandavas from the death bed

On the bed of arrows, after the war of Mahabharata was over, Pandavas reached over to Bhishma. Yudhisthira asks some questions which essentially ask how the welfare of mankind can be achieved.  Bhishma answers by stating that mankind will be free from all sorrows by chanting the [quote]”Vishnusahasranama“[/quote], which are the thousand names of the all-pervading Supreme being Vishnu, who is the master of all the worlds, the supreme light, the essence of the universe and who is Brahman. All matter animate and inanimate reside in him, and he in turn resides within all matter. This is available in anushashana parva of Mahabharata.

Bhishma was known as Prabhasa in earlier birth as a vasu

Vasus went for a holiday with their wives to a mountain tract where stood the hermitage of Vasishtha. One of them saw Vasishtha’s cow, Nandini, grazing there. Its divinely beautiful form attracted him and he pointed it out to the ladies. They were all loud in praise of the graceful animal, and one of them requested her husband to secure it for her. The vasu, Prabhasa explained that this cow is of no use, but on her insistence, he has given in. When Vasistha knew about, he cursed vasus to be born into the world of men. When the Vasus came to know of the curse, they asked forgiveness. Vasistha softened the curse on other brothers, but not on the one who took the cow away. This boy later became the eighth child of Ganga and Shantanu, Devvrata. He later known as Bhishma, who even caused the Lord to break his promise.

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Abhimanyu

Abhimanyu in his previous birth was known as Abhikasura a demon. He was a friend of King Kans who left no stone unturned to kill his nephew Krishna. After Krishna killed Kans, Abhikasura vowed to take revenge on the former. Krishna, sensing the moves of the demon, wove a magic around Abhikasura, transformed him into an insect and captured him in a box.

When Krishna’s sister Subhadra, after her wedding with Arjuna, accidentally opened the box, the insect got into her womb. Abhikasura was then born as Abhimanyu.
Krishna knew this and he rather sadly, prepared the ground for the death of his nephew and finally got him entrapped in Padmavyuha.

Abhimanyu is a key personality featured in the epic Mahabharata. The son of Arjuna and Subhadra, half-sister of Lord Krishna, Abhimanyu was an unparalleled archer considered equal to his father in prowess with the bow and arrow.

As an unborn child in his mother’s womb, Abhimanyu learned the knowledge of entering the deadly and virtually impenetrable Chakravyuha from Arjuna. The Mahabharata explains that from the womb, Abhimanyu overheard Arjuna talking about this with his mother Subhadra. Arjuna explained to Subhadra in detail the technique of attacking and escaping from various vyoohs (an array of army formation) such as Makaravyoha, Kurmavyooha, Sarpavyuha, etc. 

After explaining all the vyoohs, he explained about the technique of cracking Chakravyuha, and entering it. When he was about to explain how to exit from the Chakravyuha, he realises that Subadra was asleep and stopped explaining about the Chakravyuha further. In return, the baby Abhimanyu in the womb did not get a chance to learn how to come out of it.


When Arjuna was mourning the death of his son and squarely blamed Krishna for it, it was then Krishna explained Abhikasura’s reincarnation as Abhimanyu and the necessity for him, as the Supreme Power, to incinerate the evil force.

Karna saw Arjuna in Abhimanyu, by murdering him he wanted to have the vicarious pleasure of slaughtering Arjuna

Thus his righteous self is over powered by ignoble self , which seeks revenge,  which wants to make Arjuna feel miserable and this makes Karna the noble man do all the ignoble things to his own nephew*

Even during Draupadi's insult , Karna would have seen Draupadi as Arjuna's wife , the woman who chose Arjuna over him, again his Ugly self over powers his righteous self and leads to the events that follows.

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DURYODANA

Balarama described Duryodhana's body to be "lightning made flesh". He is revered by his younger brothers, especially Dushasana. Learning martial skills from his gurus, Kripacharya and Dronacharya, he proved to be extremely skilled with the mace. He then went to specialize in mace fighting under Balarama and went on to become his favorite pupil.

World Emperor
Karna took up the task of establishing Duryodhana as the Emperor of the world. Karna embarks upon a worldwide military campaign, otherwise called Digvijaya Yatra.Bringing tribute and allegiance from all the world's kings, Karna helped Duryodhana to perform the Vaishnava yagna to please Vishnu and crown Duryodhana as "Emperor of the World", as Yudhishthira did with the Rajasuya Yagna.

 No person in the entire universe, except Lord Vishnu, had performed this Vaishnava sacrifice. Duryodhana thus became the most powerful and the wealthiest man in the world. With the help of Karna, Duryodhana even made plans and preparations to conquer Indra, the lord of the heavens and the father of Arjuna in order to become the sovereign ruler of both heaven and earth.

On the eighteenth day of the war, with his army reduced to himself, Ashwatthama, Kripa and Kritvarma, Duryodhana goes to meditate in a lake. When the Pandavas and Krishna eventually find him, Duryodhana tells them that he wants to gift the kingdom to them, and retire to the forest. Yudhishthira balks at the offer, telling him that Hastinapur is not Duryodhana's to gift. Instead, he offers that Duryodhana may pick any of the Pandava brothers to fight against one-to-one with a weapon of his choice, with the winner of the conflict the victor of the war.

Despite his proposed advantage over Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Nakula, or Sahadeva with the gada, Duryodhana picks his nemesis Bhima. Despite Bhima's physical advantage, Duryodhana had the better technique due to his devotion to his craft. After a long and brutal battle between the two disciples of Balarama, Duryodhana begins to exhaust Bhima, and nearly makes Bhima faint.


Friendship with Karna
The friendship between Karna and Duryodhana is considered to be a great one, and is used as an example of friendship and loyalty. In the epic, Duryodhana decries the means of discrimination employed by Dronacharya. He goes one step further to accord Karna a place among the royals, by crowning him the King of Anga and standing by him whenever anyone pointed a finger at his lower-birth. 

  He seems to not care about the low birth of Karna and is the only one to vocally support Karna candidature in the archery contest without caring about caste inequality. When Draupadi refuses to allow Karna to string the bow at her Swayamvara because of his low birth, Duryodhana defends him saying "great sages, philosophers, and warriors have no source. They are made great, not born great". In modern light, his disrespect for discrimination and blind following of tradition is seen more positively.

Modern Worship
At Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Temple in Kerala's Kollam district, Duryodhana is worshipped as the main deity. It is the only temple in South India where a Kaurava is considered a God.

In the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, several beautifully carved temples are dedicated to Duryodhana and he is worshipped as the deity. The mountain tribes of Kumaon fought along with Duryodhana in the Mahabharata war; he was venerated as a capable and generous administrator.

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RAVANA

Ravana was half-Brahmin and half-demon. His father was Vishwashrava, a rishi belonging to the Pulastya clan, and mother Kaikasi belonged to a demon clan.

Vishwashrava had two wives - Varavarnini and Kaikasi.  Kuber, the god of wealth was born to the first wife, and Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Shurpanakha and Vibhishana were born to Kaikasi.

It was Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarana, who performed penance, got miraculous powers  from Lord Brahma and drove out Kuber to occupy the golden kingdom of Lanka. 

Ravana had also tried to kill the monkey king Bali, who was performing prayer to the Sun God at a seashore.
Bali was so powerful, that he carried Ravana with his arms and took him back to Kishkindhya, where he asked Ravana what he wanted.

Ravana offered friendship and the two became friends.  It was Bali, who while fighting with Sugriva, was slayed by Lord Rama. 

It was Ravana, a Brahmin, who performed the rites of a purohit, when Lord Rama constructed the Rama Sethu to lead his monkey brigade to attack Lanka.

Ravana was not only a stupendous fighter, but also an expert of the Vedas and an expert in astrology.
It is said that when his son Meghanada was to be born from his wife Mandodari's womb, Ravana "instructed" all the planets and the Sun to be in their proper position for the auspicious "lagna" so that his son would become immortal.

But Saturn suddenly changed its position. Noticing this, a furious Ravana attacked Saturn with his mace and broke off one of its legs, maiming him for life.  

Ravana was a great practitioner of statecraft. When Lord Rama killed Ravana, who was on his last breath, Rama instructed his brother Lakshmana to go to Ravana and learn the art of statecraft and diplomacy from the dying demon king.

Ravana's empire spread over Balidweepa (today's Bali), Malayadweep (Malaysia), Angadweepa, Varahdweepa, Shankhadweepa, Yavadweepa, Andhralaya and Kushadweepa.  All are islands.

Ravana not only usurped Kubera's kingdom of Lanka, but also his golden Pushpaka Vimana. It is said the vimana (aircraft) could take different shapes and could travel at the speed of mind.

Ravana is perfect Brahmin whodid poojas regularly(Particularly playing veena and doing Sandhya vandanam). He was a great Scholar in Ayurvedic medicine. He was the person who invented “Arka Shastra”. The book “Arka Prakshaya” reveals  this truth to the present world. As his willing to research in  Ayurvedic medicine he wrote several books revealing the cures for many  diseases. In one book he wrote “Eating beef cause to infect ninety eight new diseases to human beings”. The book “Kumara Tantraya” which reveals the treatments for infant diseases was written by him accepting the request of his pregnant queen Mandodari.

Even in Kampan's version of Ramayana, he was praised for his talent, the knowledge, the strength. In the words of Kampan, 

Ravana had been an invincible hero in many a battle.Yet his body had no wound inflicted by the enemy. The only wound on his body was on his chestinflicted by Airavatham, Indra's elephant. Kampan mentions this to show what a mighty warrior he had been. Kampan also mentions the strength of his shoulders that could lift Siva's Mt. Kailas,

 Sage Narada losing to Ravana in a Music contest, Ravana deserving to get a sword from Lord Siva.  But of-course all this greatness had been negated by Rama by defeating Ravana completely. There is sympathy and sorrow for Ravana in Kampan's poem - not ridicule or contempt.  

He even knew that Ram was Narayana (Lord Vishnu) himself, who had come in human form.However, since there was no other way for him to reach to Narayana, he had to cultivate wanton wickedness, violence and hatred, and invite Ram to kill him. Of course, this might be called a type of devotion that is stupid and infamous. But his inner aim was to cross the ocean of birth and death, through that act of self-abnegation and surrender to Narayana.

There is another tale with Rama wanting to please the Gods with a Yagna before going to battle with Ravana. As an elder was needed to bless the proceedings, he asked one of the Vanaras to request Ravana himself. Ravana agreed and, ironically, blessed the offerings of his enemy—this was his magnanimous nature.(already mentioned by someone).

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Kansa

   Kansa, is the tyrant ruler of the Vrishni kingdom with its capital at Mathura. He is the brother of Devaki, the mother of the god Krishna - who slew Kamsa. Kamsa is described as human in early sources and an rakshasa (demon) in the Puranas. His royal house was called Bhoja and his another name was Bhojapati. He was so mighty and powerful he use to lift a giant elephant single handedly .

Kamsa was born to King Ugrasena and Queen Padmavati. However, out of ambition and upon the advice of his personal confidante, Banasura, 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.

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.

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Kumbakarna

A might gaint.
Kumbakarna was powerful and strong. He was invincible. He was not evil, but his blind love for his brother could make him defeat anybody in battle single-handed.

Coming to the question: What does Kumbakarna signify in Ramayana or in life?

We need to go back to the story to answer this

Kumbakarna performs a severe penance to ask for a boon of complete invincibility. Fearing Kumbakarna's power, valor and invincibility, the Devas plead a Goddess to help them break Kumbakarna's penance. She manipulates him (his mind) and makes him ask for a boon of being able to sleep 6 months continuously!!

Now coming back to the significance. Kumbakarna's story, like many other stories in Hindu mythology seeks to tell us the importance of almighty. It tells us no matter how invincible someone might feel she or he is, one is powerless in front of forces of nature / calamities / The Energy above us / God (God since it is a mythological story).

Depsite being a demon, Kumbhakarna was considered so pious, intelligent and brave that the king of demi-gods, Indra, was jealous of him.

 Along with his brothers, Ravana and Vibhishana, he performed a major yajna and penance to please Lord Brahma. When the time came for asking a boon (blessing) from Brahma, his tongue was tied by goddess Saraswati (acting on Indra's request). So instead of asking for "Indraasana" (seat of Indra), he asked for "Nidraasana" (bed for sleeping).

It is also said he intended to ask for Nirdevatvam (annihilation of the Devas) and instead asked for Nidravatvam (sleep). His request was granted by Lord Brahma. On realizing the goof-up, Ravana asked Brahma to undo this boon as it was in reality a curse. Kumbhakarna slept and was awake for six months each. On waking up after 6 months he use to be so hungry that he use to eat everything in the vicinity, including humans.

During the war, Ravana went into battle and was humiliated by Rama and his army. He decided that he needed the help of his brother Kumbhakarna, who was then awakened with great difficulty. He woke up only after one thousand elephants walked over him.

When he was informed of the circumstances of Ravana's war with Rama, he tried to convince Ravana that what he was doing was wrong. However, he chose to fight in the battle due to his loyalty to his brother.

 After becoming drunk, Kumbhakarna went into the battle field. He devastated Rama's army, injured Hanuman and knocked Sugriva unconscious and took him as a prisoner but was killed by Rama. When Ravana heard of his brother's death, he fainted and proclaimed that he is truly doomed

Able to realize the mistakes and wrongdoings of Ravana, even trying to intervene and moderate at certain times, he is unable to openly oppose him, feeling bound by his warrior ethics. Fighting on what he knows is the wrong side, he is ultimately killed in combat. When he was finally defeated, he annihilated in Lord Rama and got salvation.

Kumbhakarna's character can be compared to Vikarna, the brother of Duryodhana from the Mahabharata, the other great Hindu epic. Both knew that their brothers were wrong, but still fought for them as a mark of duty. The battle between Kumbhakarna and Rama is prominently featured in the Balinese Kecak dance.

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Barbarika

Barbarika was not only a powerful warrior who could defeat armies but also he had his three powerful arrows. The arrows of Barbarika is nothing short of a homing missile's which chases the targets even it is hidden from the sight of Barabrika. The arrows were so intelligent that it marks all the targets that Barabrika thinks off.

 The strength of Barbarika and his arrows are so much that he would have finished the war in a minute but for an careless word given to his mother (Gatotkacha's Wife) that he ended up in a situation where he cannot fight for any of the sides and ended up being just a spectator after being beheaded and sacrificed before the war in favor of Pandava's .

Barbarika would have helped the losing side, as he promised so. Once Kauravas would have been defeated, the tired Pandavas would have to fight Barbarika, this was not easy not merely because of the Pandavas being tired, but because of Barbarika's weapons being able to destroyanything(including the whole world) at will.

 Having learnt the art of warfare from his mother, Maurvi, he proved to be a brave warrior even in his childhood. In addition to being a warrior, he was also a Shiva bhakt, and performed severe penance.

On the completion of Barbarik's penance, or tapasya, Shiva gifted him three powerful arrows: When used, the first arrow would mark an enemy with red ink. The second arrow would mark things not meant to be destroyed. The third arrow would destroy the enemy.

However, there were some conditions: Barbarik had to promise that he would not use the arrows for personal vengeance. That he would always use it to fight for the weaker side in a battle/war.

Before the Mahabharata war began, Lord Krishna apparently asked all the warriors how many days it would take them to finish the war if they were to fight alone. Bhisma replied that it would take him 20 days. Dronacharya said it would take him 25 days. Karna said it would take him 24 days and Arjuna said it would take him 28 days. But Barbarik astonished Krishna by saying that it would take him just a minute to win the battle.

Krishna wanted to test the powers of Barbarik. So he went to meet the young boy and asked him to demonstrate his powers. Krishna suggested that Barbarik display his powers upon a tree, by treating each leaf upon the tree as an enemy and piercing a hole through them.

Barbarik agreed. He decided to meditate and pray first. As soon as he closed his eyes, Krishna - the eternal prankster - quickly plucked a leaf off the tree and hid it under his own feet.

Soon enough, Barbarik opened his eyes and aimed his arrow at the tree. His arrow made a red mark on the leaves. The second arrow pierced through all those red holes.

Guess what happened next? Barbarik's arrow also pierced clever Krishna's feet, because a leaf lay hidden under it! However, Krishna was more impressed than hurt to see the prowess of Barbarik, because it was so perfect!

Guess what happened next? Barbarik's arrow also pierced clever Krishna's feet, because a leaf lay hidden under it! However, Krishna was more impressed than hurt to see the prowess of Barbarik, because it was so perfect!

But Krishna who love to debate, argued that in that case, the Kauravas would immediately become the weaker side, because Barbarik would be on the other side. What could Barbarik do, in that case?

Krishna then explained the paradox of Barbarik's situation. He said Barbarik would need to constantly switch sides as each side would keep turning stronger and weaker when he joined them!

It became evident to Barbarik and Krishna that he would have to die because he could not simply sit out the war, nor avoid taking any sides. The brave kshatriya (warrior) that he was, he decided to give up his life, even as he expressed a wish to Krishna that he wished he could have witnessed the Kurukshetra war.

Krishna then assured Barbarik that his severed head could watch the proceedings from atop a hill. Bheema, the mightiest Pandav, then carried his grandson's head to the top of the hill and placed it there with affection and reverence.

Thus, Barbarik got a chance to become a neutral witness to the entire proceedings. Indeed, after the war, he was asked whether it was the Pandavas or the Kauravas who won the long war. His reply was immediate and full of clarity.

Barbarik concluded that the Pandavas had won the battle, and it was Krishna who was responsible for it. Because it was Krishna's advice, presence of mind and game-plan that had made the difference.

Lord Krishna came to the Earth for establishing Dharma. Would it have been established if Pandavas were defeated? Would we have got the right message from Mahabharata that those who follow the righteous path win? No.

So, the only way to end this dilemma was to ask for Barbarika's head which he readily gave, given his loyality. For his loyality, he was given the name of "Khatu Shyam" by Lord Krishna and he could still see the battle of Mahabharata even with just his head(according to the boon given to him).

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Gatotkacha

Gatotkacha is an important characterin Mahabharata.

His name came from his head, which was hairless (Utkaca) and shaped like Ghantam.

Gatotkacha was the son of Pandava Bhimasena(BCE 3228-BCE 3102) and Rakshashi Hidimbi.

Because of his maternal parentage was Rakshasha, Gatotkacha was became Rakshasha.

So he has magical ability in sky, to increase or decrease height, to become invisible.

Gatotkacha was played important role in Mahabharata War.

•Birth:- BCE 3195.

Bhimasena was of age 33 years at the time of Gatotkacha's birth.

When Lace palace set on fire,all five pandava brothers and Kunti were escaped from Lace palace.

All five Pandava and Kunti were living in Brahmmin's form.

Bhimasena killed Hidimb who was very strong physically.

Bhimasena wanted to kill Hidimba too as he thought she will be avange killer of her brother but Yiddhisthira stopped Bhimasena to do it.

Hidimba begged Kunti to allow Bhimasena to marry her because she deeply love Bhimasena and Hidimba was alone after death of her brother.

Bheemasena agreed to marry Hidimba at one condition that Bheemasena will leave Hidimba after birth of child.

Bheemasena and Hidimba were married in BCE 3195.

After completing 09 months Hidimba gave birth to Gatotkacha.

since Ghatotkacha was half rakshasa and half human, one cannot deny the immense power he possessed. He was a son of human eating rakshasi Hidimba and so he could fly and had all the abilities that a rakshasa had. At the same time, since he was a son of a kshatriya, he possessed the knowledge and skills that Bheem had.

In addition, he had a deep insight of weaponary. No wonder, Mahabharata narrates his heroic tale when he creates havoc in the Kurukshetra war.

There is one thing which often fascinates me about Ghatotkacha’s knowledge and that is his ability to come right in front of his father,the moment he thought about him. This specifies that he had some illustrious shakti, making him worthy of all the little but significant attention he gains in the epic Mahabharat.

Bheemasena spend few days with Hidimba and Gatotkacha.

Bheemasena leave Hidimba as condition because of his duty to Hastinapur.

Gatotkacha grew up under his mother Hidimba.

Gatotakacha primary fought with mace.

God Sri Krishna given him boon that no one in the world would able to match his sorcery skills (except God Sri Krishna himself).

Gatotkacha married to Ahilawati and his son's name was Barbarika.

On same year Arjuna won Dwaupadi Swayamvara.

Gatotkacha was very great warrior.

•Mahabharata War(BCE 3138):-

Gatotkacha was of age 57 years at the time of Mahabharata War.

In Mahabharata, Gatotkacha was summoned by Bhimasena to fight on the Padava side in Battle.

Invoking his magical power,he wrough great havok in Kauravas Army.

On the 14th day of Mahabharata War Gatotkacha killed nearly 01 Aukshohini Army of Kaurava.

Duryodhana appealed to the Karna to kill Gatotkacha as the whole Kaurava army was comming close to annihilation due to Ghatotkacha's attack.

Karna possessed a devine weapon named Amogh Vimala by Indra dev.

Karna only able to use it once,Karna had been saving it for his battle with his rival Arjuna.

Karna Unable to refuse Duryodhana, discarhed it against Gatotkacha, killing him.

It is said that when Gatotkacha rwalised that he was going to die, that he assumed a gigantic size.

When the huge body fell, it crused one Aulshohini of the Kaurava Army.

God Sri Krishna smiled after death of Gatotkacha because Karna had no longer Amogh Vimala shakti to use against Arjuna.

•Died:- BCE 3138 (age 57 years) on 14th Day of Mahabharata War by Karna.

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