Word

Kalyavana

Sanskrit

In General

Kalyavana was mighty king. He was opposed to Sri Krishna. His kingdom was in the Himalayas and was having flying objects like airplanes. With the new gadgets he attacked Dwaraka. His mother was a Yavana, so he was sometimes called as a Yavana just like Karna was called Radheya or Arjuna was called Kuntiputra. But he was a king of Indian origin.

Purana

King Kalayavana wanted to conquer Mathurapuri for which purpose he performed penance and secured from Siva the boon that none of the Yadavas would be able to kill him. Krishna had shifted to Dvaraka, somewhat dejected by the thought that Kalayavana could not be killed because of the protection accorded by Siva's boon. Another thing also happened at this juncture. King Mucukunda, son of Mandhata had on the request of Indra gone to Devaloka and defeated the Asuras in war. Indra asked him to choose his reward for this service and Mucukunda wanted to be shown a place for him to sleep as he had not slept for a long time. Indra, accordingly showed him a cave on earth and told him that he who disturbed him in sleep would be reduced to ashes by his very look. Mucukunda went to sleep in that cave. Kalayavana approached Krishna to kill him and the latter, pretending to be in fear of Kalayavana, ran before him. Kalayavana followed Krishna, who entered the cave where Mucukunda was sleeping; Kalayavana followed Krishna into the cave also. Kalayavana, mistaking Mucukunda for Krsna, kicked him violently whereupon he jumped up from sleep and looked at Kalayavana, who was reduced to ashes. Then Krishna appeared before Mucukunda. who praised the former. On the advice of Krishna he went to Badarikasrama, did tapa and attained salvation.