Vrishaketu


Vrishaketu is a figure in the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata. He was the son of King of Anga Raja Karna and his chief consort Maharani Padmavati and also third of Karna's nine sons. Arjuna teaches him many more skills of great warrior. Later, He becomes King of Anga and Indraprastha.

Life

Vrishaketu was the youngest son of Karna with his chief consort Maharani Padmavati and the only son of Karna to survive the Mahabharata war. Once Karna’s identity was revealed, he was taken under the patronage of the Pandavas. He was the last mortal who had the knowledge of divyastras like brahmastra, varunastra, etc. It is said that all the Pandavas especially Arjuna had great affection towards him. So Arjun taught him all the skills of archery. It is said that Vrishaketu was the greatest archer, who defeated a disguised Krishna and Arjuna.
He was an active participant in Yudishtira's Ashvamedha yagna. During the campaign he married the daughter of King Yavanata. Later in the conquest both Vrishaketu and Arjuna were killed by Babruvahana. Then, Arjuna was revived using Naagmani whereas Krishna brought Vrishaketu back to his life.
After Pandavas takes decision to leave Hastinapur, Parikshit- son of Abhimanyu became the king of Hastinapur Kingdom and Vrishaketu as the king of Anga and Indraprastha Kingdom.