Story of Karthaveerya Arjuna

 Srimad Bhagavatam - Story of Karthaveerya Arjuna

Who is Karthaveerya Arjuna? What boon did he get from Lord Dattatreya? Why did Arjuna imprison Ravana? Why did Parashurama kill Arjuna?

Karthaveerya Arjuna is the son of King Kruthaveera. He was born with a paralysed hand. King Kruthaveera was concerned that his son may not be able to protect the kingdom due to his physical disability. 

Understanding his father’s concern, Karthaveerya requested him to wait till he sought the blessings of Lord Dattatreya, who was then residing at Sahyadri mountains. Dattatreya is the incarnation of Lord Srihari. 

Being a Yogeshwar, Dattatreya never allowed anyone near Him as He avoided distraction. Arjuna approached Him with great difficulty and had to undergo severe tests. He served Dattatreya with dedication. 

When Karthaveerya was asked to seek a boon, he requested the Lord to cure his disability.   

Dattatreya said “ I shall give you 1000 arms. None will defeat you until you commit a mistake. Also, he granted unusual sense organs benefit (could see whatever he wished to see, hear from a long distance, and go to any place as per his wish). 

Karthaveerya returned and took over the kingdom from his father. He ruled the kingdom very efficiently. He could prevent crimes, big or small, through his special powers. There was no need to employ spies in his kingdom. He traveled to three worlds at the speed of wind. 

Karthaveerya had many wives. As a pastime, he took his wives to the Narmada River. They desired to see his 1000 arms and their strength. Karthaveerya created an artificial dam across the river using his arms. The water flooded the nearby areas. 

Ravana, who was on digvijaya yatra, was camping with his army in that region. Though he had no intention to attack Karthaveerya, he could not accept his supremacy and valour. 

Ravana attacked Karthaveerya but was defeated with ease. Karthaveerya caught hold of him on his shoulder and imprisoned him. 

Sage Pulasya, the grandfather of Ravana, had to request Karthaveerya to release his grandson, Ravana. Accordingly, he was released, and Ravana never again ventured to attack Karthaveerya.

Once Karthaveerya and his troop went on a hunting spree and after a long haul reached Sage Jamadagni's ashram. Sage Jamadagni is the son of Sage Rcika and Satyavati.

The Sage was happy and asked the king to accept his hospitality. The king was reluctant as he had a large troop of men and horses to serve.   

The Sage said that due to spiritual merits, I was offered a divine cow (Havismati) of the Kamadenu family. I use her exclusively to get milk, curd, and ghee for my yagna. This cow can give whatever is asked for”.  

The Sage requested the cow to feed everyone present there to their full satisfaction. The cow did it accordingly. 

Karthaveerya was aghast at the yogic powers of the Sage. Instead of thanking the Sage, he sought the possession of the divine cow. The Sage politely declined to let go of his divine cow. The cow and its calf were happy with the Sage and were not willing to move out.

The King, instead, ordered his troops to forcefully carry the cow to Mahismathi, his capital city.

When Lord Parasurama (incarnation of Lord Narayana and the youngest son of Sage Jamadagni) was informed about the incident, he straight away went to Mahismathi with his powerful axe.

On knowing Parasurama’s anger and his strength, Karthaveerya sent a huge army of 17 akshauhinis. Parasurama neutralized them in no time.

Seeing the blood strained bodies of his army, Karthaveerya attacked Parasurama with his 1000 arms. He threw arrows with each of his arms at one stretch. Parasurama cut all his arms swiftly and his neck. Karthaveerya's sons ran away from the field as they could not face Parasurama. 

Upon killing Karthaveerya, Parasurama took back his cow and calf to the ashrama and gave it to his father. 

Sage Jamadagni, on knowing about the incident, advised Parasurama to desist from such acts and remain dutiful to family norms (brahmanical way). 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana 

One akshauhini consists of 21870 chariots, 21870 elephants, 65610 horses, and 109350 foot soldiers. In the Kurushetra war, Duryodana had 11 akshauhinis while Padavas had just 7.

Parasurama acquired kshatriya qualities because of the exchange of Caru between his grandmother, Satyavati (wife of Sage Rcika), and her mother.