Have you ever heard people saying “made at the time of Mandhata” about a very old item? Who or what Mandhata was? Let me tell you that he was a powerful king found mentioned in Hindu epic Ramayana, who ruled the world long ago.
In Satya Yuga, with the onset of human civilization, in there was a king named Yuvanshva who ruled the kingdom of Ayodha. He was a ruler of Sun-Ikshvaku Dynasty. Yuvanshva had no kids, hence no heir to his throne. He was perturbed.
One day while he was hunting in the forest in afternoon, he became very tired and extreme thirsty. As he was exhausted, he was in search of water. After a long search, the king noticed a hermitage of some sage. King Yuvanshva entered the hermitage which was empty. There, he noticed a pot and to his great pleasure the pot was full of water. The King was so thirsty that he began to drink the water without any hesitation. As soon as he finished drinking the entire water, the great sage Vrigu entered the hermitage along with his disciples.
Vrigu was startled to see the King there and wanted to know the reason of his visiting the hermit. The King narrated the backdrop. After listening to the king carefully, Vrigu told the water kept in the pot was enchanted, just to hand over the same to his wife Matinara so that she could give birth to a child. However, as destiny made king drink the enchanted water, the king would give birth to a son.
In course of time and to the utter surprise of all, king became pregnant. With the help of Sages and God Indra, the baby boy was delivered by cutting the left side of king’s abdomen. As the king was not able to breastfeed the boy, Lord Indra arranged divine milk from heaven. Drinking that divine milk, the baby became very healthy and strong. Within twelve days of his birth he became adult. He was named Mandhata or Mandhatri. He learnt Veda and war technics in a short while.
Mandhata had divine power and could acquire an impenetrable armour, a quiver with a boundless supply of arrows and a bow named ‘Azagava, which originally belonged to Lord Siva. He became so full of strength that he also fought with Ravana and the latter being defeated by him begged apologies and made treaty with him. Mandhata conquered the entire Earth within one day. He also conquered Patallok (Hell) and almost half of the Swargalok (Heaven). He defeated kings namely Asita, Suna, Sudhanwan, Marutta, Brihadhrata, Janmejaye and many others.
He had immense will power and could control the natural phenomenon like rain, hail, thunder, and storm. He was pious and distributed alms to the Brahmins. His kingdom was full of riches. He waived taxes from his subjects.
Mandhata married the daughter of Shashabindu, king of Yadavas. They had three sons and fifty daughters. In his reign, King Mandhata performed hundred Ashwamedha Yagnas and a hundred Rajasuya Yagnas. Susandhi the eldest son of Mandhata succeeded him. Susandhi the eldest son of Mandhata succeeded him.
At the old age Mandhata, due to his continuous success, became very proud of his success and strength and intended to capture the entire Swargalok. Indra, the King of Swargalok, was worried and played a trick. He convinced Mandhata to attack the kingdom of Lavanasur, a demon who had a special trident, which was gifted to his father by Lord Siva. He and his soldiers were defeated and were turned into ash by Lavanasur. Later, Shatrughna, a descendent of Mandhata killed Lavanasur.
I am sure, you loved to know about Mandhata. Please let us know your interests and do share your thoughts.
Email us at contactareaderscorner@gmail.com
A Reader's Corner 