Kartik Mahatmya Adhyay 12 and 13: Lord Vishnu Battles Jalandhar

This page covers Adhyay 12 and 13 of the Kartik Mahatmya. In Adhyay 12, the frightened devas go to Lord Vishnu, and he sets out on Garuda after giving Lakshmi ji a promise. In Adhyay 13, he fights Jalandhar, is pleased by his courage and grants a boon that brings the Lord to live in Jalandhar's house.

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संक्षेप में: देवताओं की पुकार पर भगवान विष्णु जलंधर से युद्ध करने आए। लक्ष्मी जी की विनती, महायुद्ध और जलंधर के अनोखे वर की कथा पढ़िए। पूरा लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें →

The story

Trembling with fear, Indra and all the devas reached Vaikunth and sang the praises of Lord Vishnu, asking him to protect them. The Lord, an ocean of mercy, told them not to be afraid. He would soon meet Jalandhar in battle. He mounted Garuda.

Just then Lakshmi ji spoke. She said she was the daughter of the Ocean and Jalandhar was her brother. If she was dear to the Lord, he should not kill her brother with his own hands. The Lord replied that out of love for her he would not kill Jalandhar by his own hand. But the devas had prayed to him, so he would certainly go to the battle.

On the battlefield, the radiance of the Lord made the devas roar like lions. The wind from Garuda's wings sent the daityas flying like clouds in a storm. Then Adhyay 13 begins. The Lord lifted his Sarang bow, and its twang rang through the three worlds. In a moment thousands of daityas lay fallen.

A fierce fight followed between the Lord and Jalandhar. The Lord cut down his flag, umbrella, bow and arrows. Jalandhar struck Garuda on the head with his mace and hurled a fire-mouthed trident. Remembering the feet of Shiva ji, the Lord cut it apart with his own trident. After that the two fought hand to hand for a long time, wrestling with their fists.

Then the Lord spoke with pleasure. Jalandhar had not feared even his greatest weapons. He was pleased by this courage and told the daitya king to ask for a boon. Jalandhar replied that if the Lord was pleased, he should come and live in Jalandhar's house, with his sister Lakshmi and with his whole family. The Lord was sad at heart, but he was bound by his word, and he said, so be it.

So Lord Vishnu and all the devas came to live in Jalandharpur. Jalandhar took all the jewels of the devas, placed Nishumbh in Patal and began to rule the three worlds. And here is the surprise in the story. Jalandhar cared for his subjects with dharma, as if they were his own sons, and everyone in his kingdom was happy.

The teaching of this chapter

The lesson drawn here is that even the Lord honours true courage. Jalandhar was the enemy on the field, and still his fearlessness earned him a boon.

Frequently asked questions

Why did Lord Vishnu go to war with Jalandhar?
Indra and the devas came to Vaikunth in fear and prayed to him for protection. He went because of their prayer.

What did Lakshmi ji ask of the Lord?
She said Jalandhar was her brother, since she too was the Ocean's daughter, and asked the Lord not to kill him with his own hands. The Lord agreed.

Why was the Lord pleased with Jalandhar?
Because Jalandhar did not fear even his greatest weapons. The Lord was pleased by this courage and offered a boon.

What boon did Jalandhar ask for?
He asked the Lord to live in his house, together with Lakshmi ji and his whole family.

How did Jalandhar rule after this?
According to the chapter, he ruled the three worlds and cared for his people with dharma, like his own sons, and all were happy in his kingdom.

Previous chapter: Adhyay 11: The Churning and the War of Devas