Dhenuka
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Dhenuka (धेनुक) was a Mahabharata tribe inhabiting North-western India. They sided with Pandavas in Mahabharata War. They were settled on the banks of Khotan River in Central Asia.[1]
Origin
Variants
- Dhenuka धेनुक (AS, p.468)
- Dhenuka Asura/ Dhenukasura (धेनुकासुर) (AS, p.468)
History
Dhenukasura
According to hindu scriptures, Dhenuka, also known as Dhenukasura, was an rakshasa (demon) killed by Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna.[2][3]
The Harivamsa states that Dhenuka with his host of attendant demons, all in the form of donkeys, as ruled over a forest of tala or palms trees, situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, north of mount Govardhana. Once, Balarama, Krishna and cowherds wandered into this forest, captivated by the fragrance of the fruits of the palm trees. When Krishna commented on the possible sweet taste of the fruit, Balarama shook the trees and the fruits fell on the ground. A jealous Dhenuka charged at Balarama and bit him and kicked him with his hind legs. Balarama caught hold of Dhenuka's legs and whirled him towards a tree, shattering his chest, neck and waist as the tree fell with the demon. Balarama killed Dhenuka's demon attendants and set the forest open for the cowherds.[4][5]
धेनुक
विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर[6] ने लेख किया है ...धेनुक (AS, p.468) भारत की उत्तर-पश्चिमी सीमा के परवर्ती प्रदेश में रहने वाली विदेशी जाति थी। महाभारत में अन्य विदेशी जातियों के नामों में धेनुकों की भी गणना है- 'मारुता: धेनुकाश्चैव तंगणा: परतंगणा:' महाभारत, भीष्मपर्व 50, 51. महाभारत, सभापर्व 52,3 में तंगणों और परतंगणों को शैलोदा नदी (वर्तमान खोतन) के तटवर्ती प्रदेश में स्थित माना है। इसी सूत्र के आधार पर धेनुकों के देश की स्थिति भी मध्य एशिया की इसी नदी के पार्श्व में माननी चाहिए। धेनुक जाति के योद्धाओं ने महाभारत युद्ध में पांडवों की ओर से युद्ध में भाग लिया था।
श्रीमद्भागवत 10, 15 में धेनुक नाम के एक असुर का भी उल्लेख हुआ है- 'फलानि तत्र भूरीणि पतन्ति च, सन्ति किंतवरुद्धानि धेनुकेन दुरात्मना'। असुर धेनुक को श्रीकृष्ण ने बालपन में मारा था। शायद इस असुर का संबंध धेनुक देश से रहा हो। धेनुक नाम से ऐसा प्रतीत होता है कि यह किसी विजातीय शब्द का संस्कृत रूपान्तरण है।
In Mahabharata
Dhenuka (धेनुक) (Tirtha) in Mahabharata (III.82.76)
Dhenukasura (धेनुकासुर) in Mahabharata (V.128.46)
Vana Parva, Mahabharata/Book III Chapter 82 mentions names Pilgrims. Dhenuka (धेनुक) (Tirtha) is mentioned in Mahabharata (III.82.76).[7].... One should next, O mighty monarch, go to Dhenuka (धेनुक) (III.82.76) celebrated over the world. Staying there for one night and giving away sesame and kine, one's soul being cleansed from every sin, one ascendeth, without doubt to the region of Soma.
Udyoga Parva/Mahabharata Book V Chapter 128 mentions deeds of Krishna. Dhenukasura (धेनुक) is mentioned in verse (V.128.46)[8]...He hath also slain Aristha, and Dhenuka and Chanura of great strength, and Aswaraja, and Kansa, the doer of evil.
External links
References
- ↑ Aitihasik Sthanavali by Vijayendra Kumar Mathur, p.468
- ↑ Dowson, John (1879). A classical dictionary of Hindu mythology and religion, geography, history, and literature. London: Trübner/Routledge. p. 90. OCLC 248990032.
- ↑ Prabhupada, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (1970). "15: Killing of Dhenukasura". Krsna: the supreme personality of Godhead. International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Los Angeles: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. OCLC 17312347.
- ↑ Bhattacharya p. 32
- ↑ Dowson 1879, p. 90.
- ↑ Aitihasik Sthanavali by Vijayendra Kumar Mathur, p.468
- ↑ ततॊ गच्छेत राजेन्द्र धेनुकां लॊकविश्रुताम, एकरत्रॊषितॊ राजन परयच्छेत तिलधेनुकाम, सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा सॊमलॊकं वरजेद धरुवम (III.82.76)
- ↑ अरिष्टॊ धेनुकश चैव चाणूरश च महाबलः, अश्वराजश च निहतः कंसश चारिष्टम आचरन (V.128.46)