Chiranjeevins according to Hindu Mythology

August 18, 2015 Incredible India Valli Sarvani No comments

According to Hindu Mythology, some people were blessed or cursed to have a long life. They are termed as ‘Chiranjeevins’. Chiran means long and jeevi means life or the person or creature that lives. Thus, they have long lives and are believed to live till the end of Kali Yuga. Yet, they will not live in the next Kalpa. Here is a list of chiranjeevins according to Hindu Mythology.

Ashwathama, the son of Guru Dronacharya was cursed to be in this state by Lord Krishna. He was the only person in the list to have long life with curse. He was a great friend of Duryodhana. He committed three sins. Killing Abhimanyu unlawfully, he was there among the warriors. He killed the Upapandavas in their sleep and after the completion of war.

Using Bramhastra, he killed the unborn son of Abhimanyu in Uttara’s womb. Due to these sins, Lord Krishna cursed him to roam around the world with sickness and miseries having a wound on his forehead. It is believed that Ashwathama was born with a gem on his forehead which protects him from sicknesses. But due to the curse of Krishna, the gem on the forehead of Ashwathama was cut out and he had a wound.

King Mahabali, a righteous asura king who was believed to rule the current Kerala performed several holy rituals. This made Indra fear him getting powers and sought Lord Vishnu’s help. Vishnu, in his incarnation of Vamana exiled Mahabali to the underworld. Yet, due to his great devotion, Vishnu blessed Mahabali with long life. Onam festival is celebrated to commemorate the occasion.

Ved Vyasa was the author of the epic Mahabharata. Lord Ganesha and Maha Vishnu blessed him to be a chiranjeevi. It is believed that Ved Vyasa exists in the righteous places.

Hanuman is popular for his power, strength and knowledge. He is blessed with long life and is one of the chiranjeevins. Devotees believe that Hanuman saves righteous people and demolishes the evil forces.

Vibhishana was the brother of Ravana. He was a righteous person. He advised his brother Ravana to recede Sita to her husband. He was blessed to be a chiranjeevin due to his righteousness.

Kripacharya was the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas. He was blessed with long life due to impartiality and righteousness.

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Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu was also blessed to be in the list of chiranjeevins. Markandeya was blessed by Lord Shiva due to his great devotion. He was protected from the clutches of death on his 16th birthday and blessed with long life.

Kakbhushundi was an arrogant pupil of the Sage Lomash. Yet, he was the beloved disciple of Sage Lomash. But when he insulted his guru Sage Lomash, Lord Shiva cursed him to be born taking the lowest form of creation and live a long life. Later, on the emphasis of Sage Lomash, Kakbhushundi was turned to a crow. His curse turned to blessing to exist everywhere like God.

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