Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Chiranjeevin:Immortal in Hindu Mythology

Chiranjeevins are the eight long-lived persons in Hinduism. The word is a combination of "chiram" (long) and jeevi (lived). This word is often confused with immortality ("amaratva").

1-Ashwathama, a man cursed to immortality and eternal suffering without love from anybody for his role in the murder of the five sons of the Pandavas and his attempted murder of Arjuna's grandson.
2-Mahabali, a righteous demon king who conquered heaven, earth, and the underworld, but was forced to give it back by Vamana.
3-Vyasa, a sage who narrated the Mahabharata, he was also a sage in the epic.
4-Hanuman, who served Rama.
5-Vibhishana, Ravana's brother who was made King of Lanka by Rama.
6-Kripacharya, a teacher of the princes in the Mahabharata.
7-Parashurama, an avatar of Vishnu.
8-Markandeya, a great sage.

There are several other personages known as chiranjeevins, like Jambavantha (Jambavan). However, in Hinduism, "immortal" does not mean eternal. Even immortal things are dissolved at the end of the universe, including its secondary creator Brahma. The only eternals are Vishnu and Shiva of the Trimurti, i.e. manifestations of Brahman (the Supreme Reality), Sheshanaga (the Eternal Serpent), and the four Vedas.

6 comments:

  1. Excellent information.

    I heard that from Mahabharat, immortals are:
    1. Ashwatthama
    2. Kritvarma
    3. Kripacharya

    from Ramayana:
    1. Hanuman
    2. Vibhishan

    and from other kaal:
    1. Mahabali, the great demon king
    2. Vedvyas
    3. Parshuram
    and you added which I did
    not know:
    1. Markandeya

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  2. i read in somewhere that "NARADA" the son(first manas putr) of Brahma is also immortal.....

    What do you think because I also heard that the immortals are eight.
    but now in your blog after reading alex and your view there is 12 immortals are almost confirmed and you also said that in hindu mythology there are sevral immortals......

    But we all together find the main eight immortal with the help of your blog.

    i have some extra information on this topics but please take a break......

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  3. As I look at these 7 immortals, I believe these are Pravrittis or characteristics which are immortal,
    1)Ashwatthama- desease
    2)Bali-Power/world conquerar
    3)Vyas-Knowledge
    4)Hanuman-devotion
    5Bibhishan-treason
    6) Parshuram-Valour
    7)Kripacharya-Teacher/tuition

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice info ... though we have not been unable to unlock or decipher the coded texts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Better to read core science rather than wasting time to unlock the coded texts through brhamnical discussions.

      Delete