A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.737

c5.737

JAYAD-RATHA. A prince of the Lunar race, son of Brihanmanas. He was king of Sindhu, and was “indifferently termed Rāja of the Sindhus or Saindhavas, and Rāja of the Sauvīras, or sometimes in concert Sindhu-sauvīras,” the Saindhavas and Sauvīras both being tribes living along the Indus. Jayad-ratha married Duh-salā, daughter of Dhrita-rāshtra, and was an ally of the Kauravas. When the Pāndavas were in exile he called at their forest abode while they were out hunting and Draupadī was at home alone. He had with him six brothers and a large retinue, but the resources of the Pāndavas were equal to the occasion, and Draupadī was able to supply five hundred deer with accompaniments for breakfast. This is explained by the statement that Yudhi-shthira, having worshipped the sun, obtained from that luminary an inexhaustible cauldron which was to supply all and every viand that might be required by the Pāndavas in their exile. Jayad-ratha was captivated by the charms of Draupadī, and tried to induce her to elope with him. When he was indignantly repulsed he carried her off by force. On the return of the Pāndavas they pursued the ravisher, defeated his forces, and made him prisoner. His life was spared by command of Yudhi-shthira, but Bhīma kicked and beat him terribly, cut off his hair, and made him go before the assembled Pāndavas and acknowledge himself to be their slave. At the intercession of Draupadī he was allowed to depart. He was killed, after a desperate conflict, by Arjuna on the fourteenth day of the great battle.