Tamradhvaja - The Mahabharata Era Warrior Prince of Bengal

Arjuna battles Tamradhvaja, Folio via Razmnama. ca. 1616-17

During the Mahabharata era, in the south-western region of Bengal there existed a wealthy powerful kingdom named Tamralipta, whose capital was Ratnanagar. The kingdom was ruled a great and pious Mahishya-Kshatriya king called Mayuradhwaja. The king was indeed a great warrior. He had a valiant son called prince Tamradhwaja. The king was also performing a horse sacrifice and Tamradhwaja was guarding the horse.

Arjuna's horse happened to stray into the kingdom. Tamradhwaja saw the new horse and caught it. He asked his warriors to capture the horse and then he would face the son of Pandu.

Arjuna hearing this got ready for a fight. Vrishaketu entered the battlefield. He said This horse belongs to Yudhistira and has the blessing of Krishna. Who dared to capture this?

Tamradhwaja said Krishna blesses all who seek his protection. My father Maharaja Sri Mayurdhwaja is performing the horse sacrifice and I have come to protect his horse. I see your horse which has been sent to me as a divine blessing. I will not let you take the horse away.

The battle of words became a battle of weapons. Tamradhwaja shot fifty arrows which Vrishaketu could not avoid. His chariot was broken and the charioteer was killed. Vrishaketu fought on the ground but soon fainted. Seeing this Yuvanashwa and Subeg came but they too could not stand for long. Hamsadhwaja and Babruvahan came next but they too could not conquer Tamradhwaja. Sons of Krishna, Satyaki and Bhima came next.

Tamradhwaja cut off their weapons. All were defeated.

Seeing this, Arjuna came. Arjuna shot arrows which Tamradhwaja avoided and in turn wounded Arjuna. Arjuna then prayed to Krishna. He said I am easily defeated great heroes but why am I not able to defeat this warrior. I need your help Krishna.

Krishna came to Arjuna and said this is because of the power of the prayer of Mayurdhwaja. Let us go and meet him. We will go as brahmanas. I will be the teacher and you will be my disciple. Leave the battle and come with me. The horse will be yours.

Tamradhwaja, having won the battle, returned  to his kingdom inform his father & honoured for his valour.

Krishna reached King Mayurdhwaj in a Brahmin disguise and said that Maharaj, my lion, is hungry and he is a cannibal. The king Mayurdhwaj said that if I would be his food, it will be my fortune. Krishna said that both of you, husband and wife, should cut off the head of your son and feed him meat. In the meantime, even a single tear comes out; then, the lion will not eat it. Thus the king Mayurdhwaj and his queen cut off their son's head and put it in front of the lion. Then Krishna blessed king Mayurdhwaj and his son was resurrected. Thus the king tested his devotee and Arjuna's pride was shattered. Mayurdhwaj later accepted Yudhishthir as the Samrat and returned the horse. After him, Tamradhwaj crowned as the King of Tamralipta.