Kritavarma
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Army_of_Pandavas.jpg/220px-Army_of_Pandavas.jpg)
Kritavarma (Sanskrit: कृतवर्मा, Kṛtavarmā) was one of the Yadava warriors and chieftain of Krishna's Narayani Sena.[1] He finds mention in several ancient Sanskrit texts including the Mahābhārata, the Vishnu Purana, the Bhagavata Purana and the Harivamsa.
According to the Puranas, he was born in the most fearless Andhaka clan of the mighty Yadavas, and son of Hṛidika.[2]
Analysis[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Satyaki_kills_kritavarma.jpg/220px-Satyaki_kills_kritavarma.jpg)
As is typical with the characters in the Mahabharata, Kritavarma is juxtaposed with Satyaki. Unlike the more hotheaded, independent-thinking Satyaki, Kritavarma is more subdued and traditional. When Satyaki breaks bonds with the Narayani army, holding his ties to his teacher Arjuna and his relative Krishna, as well as the righteousness of the Pandava cause, over his loyalty to the army (sworn to Duryodhana), Kritavarma fights for the Kauravas, since Krishna had promised Duryodhan that his Narayani army will fight for Kauravas .[3]
Throughout the war, Kritavarma takes part in many acts. He engages in the killing of Abhimanyu (his own student), he checks Bhima's advance on the 14th day and defends Jayadratha against Arjuna. Kritavarma felt him taking the side of Kauravas justified in the end. He did not protest when Ashwatthama proposes they kill the Pandavas. What his senior officer commands, he will execute without failure.[4]
See also[]
- Ashwatthama
- Bhagavata Purana
- Kripacharya
- Krishna
- Mahābhārata
- Syamantaka
- Vishnu Purana
References[]
- ^ Himanshu Agarwal (20 August 2019). Mahabharata Retold Part-2. Notion Press. pp. 49–. ISBN 978-1-64587-785-1.
- ^ Pargiter, F.E. (1972). Ancient Indian Historical Tradition, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, p.105.
- ^ Bose, Buddhadeva (February 1986). (2nd ed.). Hyderabad, India: Sangam Books. p. 167. ISBN 9780861314607.
- ^ "Mahabharata - BORI Critical Edition - Sanskrit Documents".
External links[]
- Characters in the Mahabharata