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Jayadratha

The king of Sindhu, husband of Dushala, who blocked the Pandavas on the day Abhimanyu died and was killed by Arjuna.

Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Mahabharata, with other tellings (Puranic traditions (Harivamsha, Bhagavata Purana), Regional retellings) noted where relevant.

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Relationships

Spouse
Dushala

Introduction

Jayadratha is the king of Sindhu and the husband of Dushala, the sister of the Kauravas.

This article primarily follows the Mahabharata. Where a well-known detail comes from a Puranic or later source, the article identifies it.

Family

Abduction of Draupadi

During the exile, Jayadratha came upon Draupadi alone and tried to carry her off. Bhima and Arjuna rescued her and spared his life, after shaving his head.

Abhimanyu

Jayadratha had received a boon from Shiva that he could hold back all the Pandavas but Arjuna for one day. On the thirteenth day of the war, he held them back from following Abhimanyu into the Chakravyuha.

Death

Arjuna swore to kill him before sunset next day. Krishna hid the sun with his power, so that Jayadratha thought it had set and came out, and Arjuna killed him.

Sources

  1. Mahabharata, Vana Parva (primary text) — https://sacred-texts.com/hin/maha/index.htm
  2. Mahabharata, Drona Parva (primary text) — https://sacred-texts.com/hin/maha/index.htm

This entry is independently written for myVamsam using the sources listed above. Where traditions differ, this entry identifies the relevant tradition rather than presenting one account as universally established fact.