Daruka is the name of two major characters in Hindu epicMahabharat:
Daruka (Sanskrit:दारुक,romanized: Dāruka) refers to the charioteer of the deityKrishna.
Dārukā (Sanskrit:दारुका,romanized: Dārukā) refers to the name of arakshasi.
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The epicMahabharata features Daruka as the charioteer of Krishna. Described to be skilled at his task, he appears during a number of chapters of the text. Daruka is assailed by King Shalva's arrows when he attacksDvaraka after the death of his ally,Shishupala. During theKurukshetra War, hearing Krishna'sconch, he brings his chariot to the battlefield. He drivesSatyaki's chariot when the warrior fights againstKarna, demonstrating excellent manoeuvrability. Krishna bids Daruka to inform his family at Dvaraka and thePandavas atIndraprastha of the death of theYaduvamsha clan, after his chariot ascends to the heavens.[1][2][3]
TheShiva Purana features the rakshasi Dārukā and her husband, a rakshasa named Dāruka, who terrorised the forest named after them, called the Darukavana. Dārukā is stated to have acquired a boon from the goddessParvati, upon which she grew arrogant and reckless. The inhabitants of the forest sought the assistance of the sageAurva, who declared that any rakshasa who attacked them further upon the earth would perish. Thedevas, led byIndra, started to wage war on the beings.[4] To save the race from extermination, Dārukā suggested that they move to an island beneath the ocean. The forest would follow with them owing to her boon, and they would not be further attacked. Now safe, the beings started to harass people who travelled upon the boats above and imprisoned them. One of the prisoners was aShaiva devotee named Supriya. He taught the other prisoners thePanchakshara mantra ofShiva. The rakshasa Dāruka attempted to kill Supriya. Shiva appeared to rescue his devotee, slaying Dāruka with thePashupatastra.[5] When his wife, Dārukā, prayed to Parvati for mercy, the goddess urged her consort to spare her life. Hearing her plea, Shiva allowed her and the other rakshasas to reside in the forest. Shiva assumed the form of aJyotirlinga with the nameNageshvara in the site, while the goddess Parvati came to be venerated as Nageshvari.[5][6]
