Why is Kripacharya immortal?

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Why is Kripacharya immortal?

Mahabharata is one of the most significant scriptures in Hindu mythology. Kripacharya is one of the teachers of Kauravas in the Mahabharata. He is known for his impartiality towards carrying out his duties. Kripacharya is considered in higher position to Dronacharya in getting the boon of immortality. Unfortunately Kripacharya does not have any specific episode of his life that can exemplify to the world that he is a symbol for impartiality. His support for Kauravas in spite of knowing their illegal acts is itself a measure of his impartiality on one side.

Even today in Hindu tradition there is a custom in which on the birthday of a man his ancestral Guru or teacher for his family ties a wrist band which has seven knots in it. It is believed that the seven knots represent the seven immortals. They are Bali, Vyasa, Hanuman, Kripacharya, Parasurama, Aswathama and Vibhishana. The Hindus are supposed to worship these seven immortals on their birthdays. It is believed that if these seven immortals are worshipped, then the ritual purpose will be fulfilled and made immortal.

After his involvement in Kurukshetra, he worked as teacher and guru for Parikshit who is the grandson of Arjuna. The reason behind Kripacharya being immortal was that Lord Krishna has offered him a boon that he will be immortal.

Kripacharya stands as an example in following the aspects of truth, laws, ethics and standards that get transferred as it is from time to time as rules. These laws that are followed by people like Kripacharya transcend from one locality to other locality and from one generation to another generation. The ideals of these seven immortal people are universal, permanent and irreversible. Kripacharya is blessed as immortal not just to maintain his physical deathlessness but to give life to all his sacred principles he followed. Kripacharya is prioritized over Dronacharya in reaching the position of immortality as he has not left his principles even at the time of diversity and stress.

Author: Hari M

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9 Responses

  1. Baijnath Pandey

    December 29, 2012 11:53 am

    Thanks for this informative article. However, I’d like to inform you that Bali is not immortal. He was killed by Lord Shri Rama. Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Rajaram Palekar

      February 5, 2013 3:10 pm

      That Bali is not the same. You are referring to the Vanara king Bali who was Sugriva’s brother. But the immortal Bali is the Asura king (grandson of Prahlada) who Lord Vamana proclaimed to rule Sutala loka (one of the nether -regions).

      Reply
      • Rohit

        October 9, 2013 1:34 am

        We celebrate ONAM as a festival of his arrival back on earth.
        He is better known as Mahabali or Maveli.

        Reply
        • Narayana

          November 6, 2013 3:41 am

          In Karnataka we celebrate Mahabali visiting earth as Bali Padayami, which is 2 days after Naraka Chaturdashi

          Reply
  2. p.v.sriram

    May 10, 2014 12:58 am

    Not only these 7 immortals are worshipped. nWhen a male brahmachari takes oil bath we used to put 7 dots in his right thigh so that we will also live for long time

    Reply
  3. sri venkateswarlu vabilisetty

    June 25, 2014 10:45 pm

    Jaisriram.Generally we see so many persons with same name.Like that in Puranas also.So we have to accept and respect all the seven immortals.They inspire us all times.

    Reply

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