Bhagadatta: The Elephantry King and Loyal Ally
Bhagadatta, the mighty King of Pragjyotisha, was renowned for his loyalty, valiant spirit, and skill in the art of elephant warfare. He was famed for his deep friendship with Indra, the king of the Devas, and his longstanding bond with the celestial. This kinship elevated his prowess and standing among kings, granting him blessings and divine guidance in battle. Bhagadatta’s reputation as a fierce warrior reached all corners of Bharatavarsha, and his loyalty to dharma and friendship with Indra left a lasting legacy.
The Rajasooya Yagna and Bhagadatta’s Conquest by Arjuna
When Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, prepared to perform the Rajasooya Yagna—a sacrificial rite meant to establish his supremacy and declare him emperor—he sent his brothers to conquer distant lands and secure alliances. Arjuna, as a skilled and fearless warrior, was tasked with the eastern regions, and Bhagadatta, with his mighty army and unmatched skills, stood as one of Arjuna’s most formidable opponents. Yet, despite Bhagadatta’s powerful forces and expertise in battle, he ultimately yielded to Arjuna, acknowledging the prowess of the Pandava prince. Thus, Bhagadatta became one of the many kings who accepted Yudhishthira’s authority, enabling the Rajasooya Yagna to proceed.
Expertise in Elephantry and Bhagadatta’s War Elephant, Supratika
Bhagadatta’s mastery over elephants was legendary, making him one of the greatest elephantry commanders in Indian mythology. His war elephant, Supratika, was no ordinary beast; it was massive, fearless, and utterly loyal, trained by Bhagadatta himself in the art of warfare. Mounted on Supratika, Bhagadatta was an indomitable force on the battlefield, wielding his spear and elephant goad with unmatched precision. Together, Bhagadatta and Supratika became known as a single, unstoppable entity, terrorizing the Pandava army during the great war of Kurukshetra.
Bhagadatta in the Kurukshetra War
Although Bhagadatta was advanced in age by the time of the Kurukshetra war, his loyalty to the Kuru clan was unwavering, and he joined the Kaurava side, bringing his extensive battle experience to bear. His devotion to the Kauravas was not out of blind loyalty but was rooted in the ancient bonds between his kingdom and the Kuru lineage. Despite his wrinkled skin and failing eyesight, he was determined to fight for the honor of his allies, and he entered the battlefield with his eyelids tied back with a silken handkerchief, determined not to miss a moment of the action.
On the twelfth day of the war, Bhagadatta and Supratika unleashed a reign of destruction upon the Pandava forces, crushing soldiers and chariots alike. During this assault, he nearly succeeded in killing Bheema, one of the strongest warriors in the Pandava camp. Bheema’s mighty mace could not withstand the sheer force of Supratika’s weight, and it was only through Bheema’s superhuman strength and agility that he narrowly escaped the deathly grip of the elephant.
Bhagadatta’s Vaishnava Astra and Krishna’s Intervention
Finally, the task of facing Bhagadatta fell to Arjuna, who engaged him in fierce combat. Despite Arjuna’s unparalleled skill with the bow, Bhagadatta’s elephant charge and his deft maneuvers made the battle a grueling one. Recognizing that Arjuna was a formidable adversary, Bhagadatta resorted to his ultimate weapon—a divine elephant goad imbued with the Vaishnava Mantra, a sacred weapon that was nearly impossible to counter. As Bhagadatta hurled this weapon toward Arjuna, it glowed with the power of Vishnu, and its course was directed toward Arjuna with fatal intent.
However, Krishna, the divine charioteer of Arjuna and the incarnation of Vishnu himself, intervened at this critical moment. Seeing the lethal weapon approaching Arjuna, Krishna raised his hand and intercepted it, transforming the Vaishnava Astra into a garland. By accepting the weapon as an offering, Krishna redirected its force, preserving Arjuna’s life and fulfilling Bhagadatta’s act of devotion to Vishnu.
Bhagadatta’s Final Stand and the Death of Supratika
The intervention of Krishna reinvigorated Arjuna, and he resumed his battle against Bhagadatta with renewed vigor. With expert aim, Arjuna directed a powerful arrow toward Supratika, finally bringing down the massive elephant that had instilled fear in the hearts of countless soldiers. With Supratika slain, Bhagadatta was left vulnerable but undeterred, continuing his fight from the ground. Arjuna then loosed an arrow that cut the handkerchief binding Bhagadatta’s eyelids, momentarily blinding him as his aging eyes struggled to stay open.
Seizing the opportunity, Arjuna unleashed a crescent-headed arrow that pierced Bhagadatta’s chest, bringing the mighty king’s life to an honorable end on the battlefield. Bhagadatta’s death marked not just the loss of a great warrior but the passing of an era, as he was one of the few remaining warriors from an older generation who had witnessed the rule of great kings and fought beside the gods.
Legacy of Bhagadatta
Bhagadatta’s life and his unwavering loyalty to his allies are remembered as the marks of a true Kshatriya. His friendship with Indra, his unmatched command over elephants, and his willingness to fight till his last breath for the Kauravas depict a warrior’s honor and commitment. His final offering to Krishna, unknowingly made through the Vaishnava Astra, reflects the notion of Bhakti (devotion) and surrender to the divine, as his last powerful act became a tribute to Vishnu.
In Indian mythology, Bhagadatta is celebrated not only for his valor but also for his embodiment of loyalty, sacrifice, and the warrior spirit. His legacy lives on in the stories of the Mahabharata, where his bravery and his unique connection with Supratika are recounted as symbols of his indomitable will and skill in warfare. Bhagadatta’s life reminds us of the warrior’s duty to serve with honor and to uphold the bonds of friendship and loyalty, even in the face of great sacrifice.