Introduction about King Kartavirya Arjuna

Kartavirya Arjuna hails from the Haihaya dynasty, a claim of the Yadava dynasty. He ruled the empire of Mahishmati which was on the banks of the Narmada River. Kartavirya Arjuna was also known as Sahasrabahu Arjuna. He ruled the entire Earth and was a great conqueror. He was a great worshiper of Goddess Bhagavati, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Despite all the positive powers which encompass him, the negative character, arrogance, dominance, and ego is a self-destructor. He was killed by Lord Parasurama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. 

Birth of King Kartavirya Arjuna

The prayers of Kartavirya Arjuna’s parents King Kritavirya and Queen Padmini has expanded the lineage, along with him and hundred other sons. He also has many brothers and a sister. Born with the thousand arms, as the result of the hard penance of his mother upon Lord Dattatreya, he was also bestowed with several boons to be invincible and was exceedingly powerful.

Becoming the King and Disciple to Lord Dattatreya

After the demise of King Kritavirya, there was heavy competition for the throne. King Kritavirya’s three brothers, his son-in-law Ahamyati, and his sons including Kartavirya Arjuna were contesting. Rishi Garga proclaimed that King Kartavirya Arjuna should become the king. People also seconded the opinion and made him the king. However, Kartavirya Arjuna didn’t want to be king. He didn’t want all the power and fame or the kingdom itself. With the enormous powers from the boons from Lord Dattatreya, He became a perfect disciple, observing all his duties with alertness and punctuality. 

Curse of the Powerful King Kartavirya 

Once, the Lord Surya begged the King Kartavirya Arjuna for alms. As alms, Kartavirya Arjuna gave Surya the seven continents of the earth. Thus, Surya started burning all the cities, towns, villages, and cowherd colonies. By mistake, Lord Surya also burned the ashram of Sage Apava. 

He cursed that another Arjuna will succeed the achievements of Kartavirya Arjuna, and he will outshine. As per Rishi Apava’s curse, during the Mahabharata, King Arjuna the Pandava was born. He burnt the Khandava forest and did much more which surpassed Kartavirya Arjuna.

The Decline of King Kartavirya Arjuna

Other notable characters that crossed past the life of King Kartavirya Arjuna are Lord Parasurama and King Ravana. He had a dual with king Ravana and arrested him. Upon the request of his grandfather, he released the King Ravana. Throughout life, he lived the life of opulence, power, arrogance, and ego.

Though he was powerful and invisible, he earned his destruction through his arrogance and ego. Once Saint Jamadagni invited him to his ashram, and the divine Cow” Kamadhenu fascinated him”. He wanted to own the cow and fought with the saint Jamadagni. He was killed by Saint Parasurama, son of Saint Jamadagni and the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. 

Life Lessons of King Kartavirya Arjuna

Though it is important to be powerful in life, it is also important to be humble and use the power only during appropriate times, to help others. When the same power is used for destruction, it harms not only them but also others and the lineage.

He earned his destruction by fighting with the Lord’s incarnation and vesting his power in the wrong front. Thus, he was outwitted by another Arjuna in history, the King Arjuna of Pandavas.