Indian Mythology is one of the world’s vast and deep-rooted mythologies with so many stories and versions of stories embedded within different Puranas and epics. I have always been a fan of exploring interesting stories from our mythology. The more I dig deep into this exploration, the more fascinated I am. Be it the history behind temples in India or inspiring tales of any god, etc., if there is a mythological story involved, I am there, with full attention.
So, on that note, I have listed some of the lesser-known stories from Indian Mythology that made me curious to know more about our roots:
Barbarika – Who Could End Kurukshetra War with Three Arrows
In the Mahabharata epic by Sage Veda Vyasa, Khatu Shyam, also called Barbarika in Skanda Purana was the most powerful warrior. Grandson of Bheema and son of Ghatotkacha, with his deep penance and devotion, he impressed Lord Shiva and the lord blessed him with three arrows that made him invincible. The first arrow would target all the entities that would be destroyed, the second arrow would target all the entities that would be protected, and the third arrow would destroy all the entities marked to be slain by the first arrow.
However, the issue was that Barbarika had vowed to only help the weaker side in the battle of Kurukshetra. Lord Krishna thought that in this case, whenever one side would be weak, Barbarika would intervene and make them strong making the whole battle never-ending. Hence, the lord thought it best that Barbarika was killed so that he would not take part in the battle.
He went to Barbarika and explained the whole situation and Barbarika gladly agreed to be killed by Lord Krishna but he had a last wish. He wanted to witness the Kurukshetra battle before his death. Lord Krishna blessed him, took his head, and kept it on top of a mountain where he could witness the battle.
The Loyal Dog – Who Accompanied Yudhistira till the Heavens
Pandavas, after ruling Hastinapur for decades, decided to hand over the kingdom to the next generation and to take the path of spirituality. So, all five Pandavas accompanied by Draupadi decided to strip all of their earthly connections and luxuries, wore simple garments, and began their journey towards the heavens.
On their journey in the mountains, Draupadi first fell from the slippery slope. When asked why she fell, Yudhishtra explained that it was due to her extra affection towards Arjuna. Then Sahadeva and Nakul fell respectively, Yudhishtra explained it was because of Sahadeva’s pride in his knowledge and Nakul’s obsession with his beauty. Following this, Arjuna fell, Yudhishtra explained it was because of his ego that made him think that he was the best archer in the whole world and no one could beat him in archery. Finally, Bhima fell and Yudhishtra thought that he fell due to his gluttony.
Throughout this whole journey, there was another creature that accompanied them, a dog. When Yudhishtra reached the heavens along with the dog, he was greeted by Lord Indra. The lord congratulated Yudhishtra for all his virtues and asked him to join him in the heavens. When the dog tried to join them, Lord Indra explained how only Yudhishtra was allowed in heaven and not the dog.
Yudhishtra, dejected by this, firmly told Lord Indra that the dog has accompanied him through every thick and thin of this journey towards heaven and that as much as he has earned a place in heaven, the dog has earned too. When asked to choose between the luxuries of the heavens and the dog, Yudhishtra, without flinching, chose the dog. Impressed by this response, the dog transformed to the original form which was none other than Yudhishtra’s father, Lord Yama Dharma. He praised his son for expressing the absolute virtue of keeping hold of Dharma even when the choice was the heavens. He was true to his name as Dharmaraja.
Jaya and Vijaya – The Guardians of Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha
Jaya and Vijaya were the Dwarapalakas (doorkeepers) of Vaikunta and they were truly devoted to Lord Vishnu. Their job was to ensure only the deserved devotees who were pure in their hearts, without any desires visited Vaikunta. One day, the Sanat Kumaras (Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanat kumara, and Sanadhana), the highly wisdom rishis who were true devotees of Lord Vishnu wanted to see his pure and original form. They decided to visit Vaikunta and when they arrived at the entrance, Jaya and Vijaya stopped them.
The issue was that though these rishis were highly spiritual and had acquired great knowledge, they looked like kids. This led to an oversight by Jaya and Vijaya thinking that these sages might be some immature kids and rejected them from visiting Vaikunta.
Dejected by the rejection and the ignorance of Jaya and Vijaya in assessing the people who come to meet lord Vishnu, they cursed Jaya and Vijaya saying “You are the doorkeepers of Vaikunta but you don’t meet the qualifications of someone of your position. You must be capable of understanding the true intentions and complicated emotions of humans who visit Lord Vishnu and not judge their appearance. You shall learn this only when you are born as mortals on Earth and yourselves feel the pain, ego, and other emotions that form the circle of birth and death”
Instantly regretting the error in their ways, Jaya and Vijaya sought Lord Vishnu’s help. Lord Vishnu, who knew everything that happened gave them two options. To be born as Vishnu devotees for seven lifetimes and go through the separation from the lord. Or to be born as Vishnu haters, spreading hate on him all over Earth, only to be killed by Lord Vishnu for three lifetimes. Jaya and Vijaya, who couldn’t think of experiencing the separation from Lord Vishnu opted for the second option.
Hence, Jaya and Vijaya were born as ultimate Vishnu haters – Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashyapa, who were killed by the Varaha avatar and Narasimha avatar of Lord Vishnu. Ravana and Kumbhakarna, who were killed in the battle by Lord Rama (an avatar of Lord Vishnu). Finally, Shishupala and Dantavakra, who were killed by Lord Krishna.
Conclusion
Indian Mythology has some fascinating stories all packed with rich morals and values of life. Watch this space for Part 2!
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