Sudakshina Kamboja

Sudakshina Kamboja ( _sa. सुदक्षिण) is the third king of the Kambojas referred to in the Mahābhārata. And is also the most referenced of all the Kamboja kings in the whole Mahābhārata and most illustrious warrior of the Kambojas of Epic Age.

Kamboj traditions and Sudakshina

According to the traditions of the Kamboj community passed on to it from its ancestors, a certain king "Sodakhsh" (Sudakshina) is believed to have descended from the line of god "Chander Burman" of remote antiquity.

It is apparent that the "Chander Burman" of Kamboj traditions is same as the great Asura prince Chandravarma Kamboja who finds reference in the Adiparava section of Mahabhara.

Physical characteristics of Sudakshina

Physically, Sudakshina Kamboj is described as very tall, gaura- varna and extremely handsome ("sudarshaniya") young prince. He is stated to be very fierce, brave, intelligent and illustrious warrior in the battlefield.

udakshina at Abhisheka ceremony of Yudhisthra

Sudakshina was present at the consecration ceremony (abhisheka) of king Yudhishtra and had presented him a chariot with white Kamboja horses, yoked to it (MBH 2.53.5).

:Sudakshinasta.n yuyuje shvetaih Kambojajairhayaih || 5 |

udakshina at Draupadi’s Swayamvara

According to epic evidence, Sudakshina Kamboj had participated in the "Swayamvara" of Draupadi, the princess of Panchala.

Sudaksinaz.ca.Kambojo.drdha.dhanvaa.ca.Kauravah. ||MBH 1.185.15|

udakshina Kamboja in Mahābhārata war

udakshina and his army

King Drupada of Panchala had advised Yudhishtra to send messengers to Kamboja and other neighboring tribes to seek their military help before Duryodhana could do the same (MBH 5.4.18), but it appears that Duryodhana had pre-empted the show and wrested the initiative from the Pandavas. Sudakshina was not committed to any side prior to the war. It appears that he had joined the Kuru side on prior invitation from Duryodhana. Dr Pargiter opines that Sudakshina, though uncommitted to either side, had joined the Kurus on persuasion from Jaidratha of Sindhu (Journal of Royal Asiatic Society, 1906, p 320, P. E. Pargiter).

Sudakshina had participated in the Mahābhārata war with full division (Akshauhini) army of wrathful warriors comprising the Kambojas, Sakas and the Yavanas from Central Asia. He was the supreme commander of this composite army which looked like multi-colored rainy clouds moved by powerful winds. The mass of his army is stated to have covered Kurukshetra battle-fields like a swarm of locust (MBH 5.19.21-23).

Dr B. C. Law says that Sudakshina was one of the few Maharathis or great heroes on the field of Kurukshetra and with his prowess and that of his Kamboja army, he had rendered a great service to the Kuru side in the long drawn battle at Kurukshetra (Some Kshatriya Tribes, p 241).

udakshina one of ten salient commanders of Kurus

There were numerous great warriors in the composite army of Kauravas, capable of striking fierce force, but from amongst them, after careful consideration, king Duryodhana had picked up 10 most intelligent and brave Chiefs/Generals, including Sudakshina Kamboja to manage his army efficiently. These ten Generals are described as very intelligent, mighty, powerful, lionlike and Mahabahu and most illustrious among the warriors of the Kuru army (MBH 6.16.15-17; 5.155.30-33).

Krishna extols Sudakshina

At the start of war, Vasudeva glorifies Sudakshina Kamboj and lists him amongst the greatest Maharathis gathered at Kurukshetra battlefield (MBH 5.95.19-21).

Bhishma extols Sudakshina

In the enumeration of great heroes on Kuru side, Bhishma extols the prowess of Sudakshina of Kambojas and calls him a lion among the chariot warriors, and in might and fight, a match equal to god Indra himself. The best of the chariot warriors (Maharathis) under him are strikers of fierce force, and his great host of his army covering the land like a swarm of locusts (MBH 5.165.1-3; op cit, p 242, Dr B. C. Law).

Durodhana extols Sudakshina

Duryodhana gives a very important place to the Sudakshina by placing him side by side with the greatest heroes on his side. He boasts of to Pandavas saying that his immense army has Bhishma as the current which cannot be crossed, Drona as the alligator which cannot be approached, Karna and Salya as a swarm of small fishes and the Kamboja as volcanic mouth giving out flames (MBH 5.160.40; Op cit, p 242, Dr B. C. Law).

Duryodhana again he extols the prowess of Sudakshina, along with Bhishma, Drona Acharya, Kripa Acharya, Kritvarma, Bhurisravas, Vikarna and Bhagadatta--- describing them all as Great Maharathis, high born, recklessly fearless, and in might and fight, more than a match even to the three worlds put together (MBH 6.65.31-33).

udakshina’s duels in the war

For fourteen days, Sudakshina had fought fiercely and heroically with many leading Maharathis of the Pandava side. As a General, Sudakshina had displayed great leadership, skill, courage and manoeuvrability in the Kurukshetra war field. Reading of Mahābhārata reveals that the "Kamboja army under Sudakshina was always placed at key positions", which indisputably shows that king Duryodhana had high faith in the leadership and competence of General Suadakshina and his Kamboja army.

Apart of others, Sudakshina had fought several very thrilling and ferocious duels with Shrutakarma, son of Sahadeva (6.45.63-65), Sweta, son of Virata (6.40-47-51), Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna (6.110.15, 6.111.18-21) and Arjuna himsef (7.92.61-75).....all of them are stated to be great Maharathis of the Pandava army. Sudakshina had fought very valiantly until slain by Arjuna on fourteenth day of Kurukshetra war.

While fighting, the Kamboja general roared like a lion ("sinha.nadamathanadat") and gave his antagonists very tough fights.

Fourteenth Day of the Kurukshetra war saw some of the bloodiest glimpses of fight as well as the derring-do deeds of the Kamboja army. After the fall of his son Abhimanyu on thirteenth day of war, Arjuna put forth his best energy and fought for. Arjuna charged at the Bhojas and the Kambojas division. Kritavarman Bhoja faced Arjuna and pierced him with ten arrows. In response, Arjuna covered Kritavarman with hundred arrows and made him swoon. Thereafter, Arjuna came face to face with Kambojas (7.92.26). Seeing Arjuna advance, brave Srutayudha of charged at him and gave a grim fight. When his car was damaged, Srutayudha dismounted and on the ground he faced Arjuna with his mace but brave Srutayudha was killed with his own mace when it incidentally recoiled after hitting Krishna.

Thereafter followed the terrific fight of Arjuna with Sudakshina Kamboja. The heroic Sudakshina, the son of the Kamboja king, rushed against Arjuna, being borne on a car drawn by fleet Kamboja Studs. At him, Partha shot seven arrows, which penetrating through that great hero, entered the surface of earth. Pierced deep by those sharp arrows shot from the Gandiva bow, Sudakshina, in turn pierced Arjuna with ten shafts furnished with the feathers of "Kanka bird". He once more pierced Vasudeva's son Krishna with three and Partha (Arjuna) with five arrows, then, Arjuna bursting open his bow, cut down Sudakshina’s standard; and the son of Pandu pierced Sudakshina with a couple of "vallas" of exceeding sharpness. Sudakshina also having pressed Arjuna with the three such arrows and uttered a fierce roar of a lion ("simha.naadam"). Thereafter, brave Sudakshina inflamed with owerflowing rage hurled at the wielder of the Gandiva bow, a "Saraparshvi Shakti"---a lance, dreadful, tied with bells and made of iron and decked with gold. Having reached that mighty car-driver Arjuna, that dreadful lance blazing like a mighty meteor and emitting scinitilations of fire, penetrated through Arjuna and then fell down on the ground. Pierced deep with that dreadful lance, Arjuna fell into a terrible swoon. Then, in an instant, that highly puissant hero recovering soon enough began to lick the corners of his mouth. Then Partha of inconceivable prowess pierced Sudakshina and his steeds, standards, bow and charioteer with ten "narachas" furnished with feathers of Kanka bird. And with innumerable other arrows he rendered Sudakshina’s chariot useless and cut it into pieces. The son of Pandu then, with an arrow of exceeding sharpness, pierced on the chest of Sudakshina, the Kamboja ruler whose purpose and prowess had both been baffled. Then with his armor shattered, trembling in all his limbs, with his crown and "Angadas" falling off, that hero fell with head downwards like a flagstaff loosened from the socket. Like a charming "Karnikara" tree in the spring growing gracefully on the top of a hill, with beautiful branches, lying on the grove when uprooted by the tempest, the prince of the Kambojas lay on the bare ground deprived of life, though accustomed to sleep on the most precious bed. Adorned with precious ornaments, very handsome and graceful ("sudarshnya"), possessing eyes of coppery hue, wearing round the head a tiara of Gold radiant like the flames of fire, the Mighty Armed Sudakshina, the king of the Kambojas felled by Arjuna with his arrows, and lying dead on the ground, appeared very beautiful like a charming hill with a flat summit.

Then beholding the prince of Kamboja slain in battle, all soldiers of Kurus began to fly in all directions (7.92.61-76). [http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/mb/m07/m07087.htm] .

Duryodhana at the death of Sudakshina

Near the end of war, Duryodhana grievously laments the death of the heroes of his army including Sudakshina of Kamboja of whom he says “the great hero and Maharathi, who proudly came to battle for my sake, caring the least for his own life and was ever prepared to lay down his life. When I see him (Sudakshina) and also Alambusha and other allies of mine dead and gone, I have no desire left to remain alive " (MBH 7.150.22-23).

Karna at the death of Sudakshina

Suryaputra "Karna" glorifies Sudakshina as a great stalwart and includes him among the greatest Generals of Bharata war, stating that Sudakshina and other few select warriors were undefeatable even by the devas themselves (MBH 7/158/64-66)

Vasudeva at the death of Sudakshina

Krishna glorified Sudakshina and others at the conclusion of war stating that none except Arjuna cound face the wrath of these mighty warriors like Drona, Bhishma, Bhagadatta, Sudakshina Kamboja, Vinda-Anuvinda of Avanti, Mahabali Shrutayu, Acutayu etc and still be alive---each of these great Maharathis being no less than god Indra (MBH: 8.72.17-20; also: 5.95.19-21)

Gandhari at the death of Sudakshina

Gandhari deplored the death of Sudakshina stating that he was indeed the irresitible warrior with shoulders like those of a bull and though deserving of being stretched at his ease on the Kamboja blankets, was now woefully lying amid the dust (MBH 11.25.01).

Epilogue

Brave Sudakshina was one of the few great heroes on the battlefield and has numerously been applauded as great Maharatham, Purushavyaghrah, Shurah, durdharsha (invincible), Parighabahavah, Mahabahu, or a great hero, invincible in the battle field even by the gods (6.45.65; 6.45.68; 11.25.01). Though he had nothing against Pandavas, since he was invited by Duryodhana, he as a true Kshatriya had fought for Durydhana with great valor, honor, loyalty, dedication and sacrifice for friendship, and in full compliance of the war ethics. At the end, he fell magnificent martyr to Kuru side.

ee also

*Kambojas
*Epic Kamboja
*Chandravarma Kamboja
*Kamatha Kamboja
*Prapaksha Kamboja
*Kurukshetra war and the Kambojas
*Kurukshetra war

References

*Mahābhārata
*Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, Dr J. L. Kamboj.
*The Kambojas Through the Ages, 2005, S Kirpal Singh.
*These Kamboj People, 1979, K. S. Dardi.
*Evolution of Heroic Traditions in Ancient Punjab, 1971, Dr Buddha Prakash.
*Monthly Kamboj Hitaishi, (1976 through 1977 Editions), Published From Delhi.

External links

*On Line Mahabharata, Trans Kisari Mohan Ganguli: [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/maha/index.htm]
*Some Kshatria Tribes of Ancient India, Dr B. C. Law: [http://punjabi.net/talk/messages/1/52683.html?1075172231]