King in Hindu literature
Brihadbala (Sanskrit: बृहद्बल, IAST: Bṛhadbala) is a king mentioned in Hinduism, including the Hindu epic Mahabharata.[1] He is also known by the name Srutayu according to the Linga Purana.[2] He is described to be the last king of the Kosala Kingdom. In the Kurukshetra War, Brihadbala fought for the Kauravas and was killed by Abhimanyu.[3]
Legend
According to the Vishnu Purana and the Bhagavata Purana, Brihadbala is a descendant of Rama on Kusha's side, and belongs to the Suryavamsha (Solar dynasty). Makhan Jha, in his Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective claims that Brihadbala is the fifteenth king after Rama.[4] Brihadbala is considered to be the last king of the line of Ikshvaku; the dynasty spanned 31-32 generations between Rama and him.[5]
The Mahabharata describes Brihadbala as the ruler of Kingdom of Kosala. He was subjugated by Bhima during the Rajasuya sacrifice. However, a subsequent conquest by Karna during his Digvijaya Yatra resulted in Brihadbala's ultimate allegiance to the Kauravas during the Kurukshetra War.[6] On the thirteenth day of the war, when Abhimanyu, Arjuna's son, penetrates into the Padmavyuha, Brihadbala fights him, along with a host of Kaurava warriors including Drona, Kripa, Karna, Ashwatthama, and Kritavarma. In the fierce duel that ensued between Brihadbala and Abhimanyu, Brihadbala was mortally wounded by Abhimanyu's arrows.[7]
According to the Shiva Purana, Brihadbala is succeeded by his son, Barhināman.[8]
References
