कृतवर्मा
Kritavarman was the chief of the Bhojas and the son of Hridika, a figure deeply respected in the Bhoja lineage. The Bhojas, a clan closely associated with the Yadava family, were traditional allies of the Vrishnis, and Kritavarman was a particular friend of Satyaki, a prominent Vrishni warrior and disciple of Arjuna. The Vrishnis and Bhojas both belonged to the Yadava clan, which also included notable figures like Krishna and Balarama, making Kritavarman and Satyaki kinsmen.
However, when it was time to choose sides in the great battle of Kurukshetra, Kritavarman aligned with the Kauravas, a choice influenced by his loyalty to the royal lineages and his commitment to duty. In contrast, Satyaki fought for the Pandavas alongside other Vrishni allies. This division among the Yadavas was a reflection of the larger conflicts of loyalty and dharma that permeated the Mahabharata.
| Character | Clan | Allegiance | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kritavarman | Bhoja | Kauravas | Known for his loyalty, martial prowess, and eventual role in the Pandava camp massacre. |
| Satyaki | Vrishni | Pandavas | Loyal friend to Krishna and disciple of Arjuna; known for his valor and fierce loyalty to the Pandavas. |
| Krishna | Vrishni (Yadava) | Pandavas | Played a central role in guiding the Pandavas; friend and relative to both Satyaki and Kritavarman. |
| Balarama | Yadava | Neutral | Brother of Krishna, stayed neutral in the war; teacher of both Bhima and Duryodhana in mace fighting. |
Kritavarman’s Role in the Kurukshetra War
During the war, Kritavarman acquitted himself very creditably in battle, displaying formidable skills as a warrior. He engaged many prominent Pandava fighters and slew a significant number of their forces. His loyalty to the Kauravas placed him in opposition to his close friend Satyaki, creating tension within the Yadava clan. His alliance with the Kauravas highlights the moral complexities of the Mahabharata, where personal loyalties often clashed with familial and societal expectations.
Kritavarman was among the most skilled fighters on the Kaurava side, and by the end of the eighteen-day war, he was one of only three warriors on the Kaurava side to survive, along with Ashwatthama (the son of Drona) and Kripa (the royal teacher and an ancient sage-warrior). Together, these three represented the last of the Kaurava defenders and formed an uneasy alliance following their side’s defeat.
| Survivors of the Kaurava Side | Notable Feats | Role Post-War |
|---|---|---|
| Kritavarman | Fought valiantly, slew Pandava soldiers | Participated in the night raid of the Pandava camp |
| Ashwatthama | Known for his fierce skills and anger over his father Drona’s death | Hatched the plan to massacre the Pandava camp |
| Kripa | Known as a wise preceptor, skilled archer | Assisted Ashwatthama in the massacre |
The Pandava Camp Massacre
After the war, these three survivors became part of a dark chapter in the Mahabharata. Enraged by the outcome of the war and the deaths of his allies, Ashwatthama devised a plan to massacre the remaining Pandava forces. Kritavarman, Ashwatthama, and Kripa raided the Pandava camp at night, slaying the Panchala warriors and other remaining soldiers in their sleep. This included the brutal killing of Dhrishtadyumna, the commander of the Pandava army, and the five sons of Draupadi (the Upapandavas).
This act of vengeance, done in anger and darkness, went against the principles of Kshatriya dharma, which emphasized fair battle. The massacre marked a tragic end to the Kurukshetra War, casting a shadow on the victorious Pandavas as they faced the loss of their children and allies.
| Name | Relation to Pandavas | Fate in the Massacre |
|---|---|---|
| Dhrishtadyumna | Brother-in-law of Pandavas, army commander | Killed by Ashwatthama |
| Upapandavas | Sons of Draupadi and the Pandavas | Slain by Ashwatthama and his allies |
| Panchala Warriors | Allies of the Pandavas | Massacred in their sleep |
Return to the Vrishni Court
When Kritavarman returned to the Vrishni court after the massacre, Satyaki condemned him for his participation in such an unethical act. Satyaki, a staunch follower of dharma and loyal friend to the Pandavas, was outraged by Kritavarman’s role in the deaths of innocent warriors and the sons of Draupadi. In a fit of anger, Satyaki beheaded Kritavarman in the assembly hall, leading to a violent conflict within the Yadava clan.
In response to Satyaki’s actions, Kritavarman’s kinsmen, incensed by the death of their leader, retaliated and killed Satyaki. This violent confrontation escalated into a larger conflict among the Yadavas, which spiraled out of control, fulfilling the prophecy of Gandhari (the mother of the Kauravas) that the Yadava dynasty would meet a tragic end. This prophecy, which foretold the self-destruction of the Yadava clan, came true as Krishna’s clan fell victim to internal strife.
The End of the Yadavas
The deaths of Kritavarman and Satyaki marked the beginning of a tragic period for the Yadava dynasty, leading to the Mausala Parva (the Book of Clubs) in the Mahabharata. According to the prophecy, Krishna’s clan was destined to destroy itself due to a curse. This prophecy came to pass when a fight broke out among the Yadavas, leading them to use mace weapons (mausala) against each other. Even Balarama, Krishna’s brother, withdrew into meditation and left his mortal body. Krishna, having foreseen this destruction, also chose to leave his earthly existence, marking the end of the Yadava clan and signaling the close of the Dvapara Yuga, the third age in the cycle of time.
| Event | Description | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Mausala Parva | Destruction of the Yadava clan through infighting | Fulfilled Gandhari’s curse and marked the end of the Yadavas. |
| Balarama’s Departure | Balarama, seeing the self-destruction, left his body through meditation | Symbolized the beginning of the end of Krishna’s earthly duties. |
| Krishna’s Departure | Krishna willingly left his body, signaling the end of the Dvapara Yuga | Marked the transition to the Kali Yuga, the age of darkness and strife. |
Legacy and Significance of Kritavarman
Kritavarman, sometimes spelled Kritavarma, remains a significant yet complex figure in the Mahabharata. Although a skilled and respected warrior, his alliances and later actions during the war highlight the moral ambiguities faced by many characters in the epic. His friendship with Satyaki, and their tragic end due to conflicting loyalties, serves as a testament to the challenges of dharma during the Kurukshetra War.
In the end, Kritavarman’s life and death contributed to the ultimate collapse of the Yadava dynasty, emphasizing the inevitability of fate and the prophecy’s power within Hindu mythology. His story is woven into the greater tapestry of the Mahabharata, a reminder of the consequences of war, the fragility of alliances, and the complex nature of loyalty and righteousness.