In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Vrishasena (Sanskrit: वृषसेन, romanized: Vṛṣasena) was the eldest son of the warrior Karna and his wife, Padmavati.[1] Along with his father, he fought in the Kurukshetra war from the side of the Kauravas and faced many prominent warriors like Upapandavas, Drupada, Dhrishtadyumna, Nakula, Sahadeva, Virata and many more. [2]

Vrishasena
In-universe information
GenderMale
OccupationKshatriya
FamilyKarna (father)
Padmavati (mother)
Chitrasena, Dvipata, Satyasena, Sushena, Shatrunjaya, Banasena, Prasena, Vrishaketu (brothers)

Kurukshetra War

During the Kurukshetra war, Karna did not take part for the first ten days due to the dispute he had with Bhishma. After Bhishma's fall on the 10th day of the war, Karna and his sons, including Vrishasena, joined the war on the 11th day and fought against the Pandavas.

11th day

On the 11th day of the war, Vrishasena overwhelmed Satanika, the son of Nakula in a single combat, and afterwards fought against the other Upapandavas and defeated them all.Then he fought against Sahadeva where he broke his bow and made him unconscious. Finally Satyaki rescued Sahadeva. [3]

12th day

On 12th day of war he attacked the Matsya forces of Pandava army and created havoc by defeating King Virata and wounds him badly. Seeing this Abhimanyu came in aid of Virata and a fierce duel took place between Vrishasena and Abhimanyu.Vrishasena pierced Abhimanyu's chest and his thighs with couple of arrows but finally Abhimanyu managed to break his bow and defeated him.

14th day

On the night of the 14th day, Vrishasena engaged in a single combat against Drupada, the King of Panchala, and defeated him.[4] Following, Drupada's defeat, he defeated Drupada's son Dhrishtadyumna commander in chief of Pandava army and made Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna to retreat.

17th day

On the 17th day of the war, Vrishasena engaged in a single combat against Nakula and destroyed his chariot.[5] After that, Nakula mounted on Bhima's chariot, but Vrishasena continued to strike both of them, He broke Bhima's bow and pierced Bhima's chest with numerous sharp arrows. Then Bhima asked Arjuna to kill Vrishasena, and after a fierce battle, Arjuna killed him.[6]

References

  1. ^ "The Vishnu Purana: Book IV: Chapter XVIII". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  2. ^ Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature. Robarts - University of Toronto. Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass. p. 883.
  3. ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 7: Drona Parva, Dronabhisheka Parva, Section XVI".
  4. ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 7: Drona Parva, Ghatotkacha-Vadha Parva, Section CLXVIII". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  5. ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva, Section 84". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  6. ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva, Section 85". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
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