Chitrāngada

Chitrāngada

Chitrāngada

Minor character in the epic Mahabharata

This article is about the son of Shantanu and Satyavati. For the wife of Arjuna, see Chitrāngadā.

Chitrāngada (Sanskrit: चित्रांगद, IAST: citrāṃgada) was the king of Kuru Mahajanapada with his capital Hastinapura. He belonged to the Lunar Dynasty of Bharata Tribe He was the elder son of Shantanu and Satyavati, who ascended the throne of Hastinapura after his father's death.[1]

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Life as a warrior

Following the wishes of queen Satyavati, Bhishma had placed Chitrangada on the throne of the kingdom of the Kurus after Shantanu's departure. Chitrangada was a great warrior and defeated many powerful enemies and Asuras. But soon he developed pride and began disrespecting everyone. Bhishma who tried to correct his young brother's bad behaviour was ignored and rendered powerless on account of his oath to perpetually serve the Kuru King. Finally, the king of the Gandharvas, who was his namesake, came to challenge him saying there could be only one Chitrangada which was himself. A fierce battle took place between the two warriors on the bank of the river Hiranyavati, lasting three years. In the end the king of the Gandharvas defeated the Kuru king and killed him.[2] After having performed the rites of the dead, Bhishma immediately consecrated Chitrangada's younger brother Vichitravirya to the kingdom.[3]

References

  1. [1]
    Shastri Chitrao (1964), p. 213
  2. [2]
    Bhanu, Sharada (1997). Myths and Legends from India - Great Women. Chennai: Macmillan India Limited. p. 6. ISBN 0-333-93076-2.
  3. [3]
    van Buitenen (1973), p. 227; Mbhr. 1.95.5-14 (Pune Critical Edition)

Bibliography

  • Citrangada in: M.M.S. Shastri Chitrao, Bharatavarshiya Prachin Charitrakosha (Dictionary of Ancient Indian Biography, in Hindi), Pune 1964, p. 213
  • J.A.B. van Buitenen, Mahabharata, vol. 1, The University of Chicago Press, 1973
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