Purans, Ramayan, and Mahabharat describe eight long-lived personalities in Hindu Patheon. It is said that these eight immortals are still on earth for several different reasons. Especially, Chiranjivis are those born humans but blessed or cursed with extremely long life.
Let’s know about these seven great human beings who are believed to be alive on earth today.
1. Ashwatthama
Ashwatthama was the son of Dorna, a great warrior. Dorna performed severe penances for many years to please Lord Shiva to obtain a son with the same courage as Lord Shiva. Ashwatthama is the avatar of one of the eleven Rudra’s, he acted out of cowardice to avenge his father’s murder, which resulted in a curse of immortality. Ashwatthama and Kripa are known to be the only survivors who are still alive and really fought in the Kurukshetra war. He could be immortal, but Lord Krishna cursed him because his body was covered with wounds and ulcers that would never heal.
Read more about Life of Ashwatthama and his role in Mahabharata
2. Hanuman
Lord Human was a true devotee of Lord Rama. It is said that Lord Hanuman requested to stay on earth as long as people worshiped Lord Rama. It is believed Lord Hanuman visits the places where Lords Rama’s name is taken. Whoever remembers lord Hanuman of his pure heart and soul will always overcome the miseries and obstacles of life.
Read more about the Monkey God Hanuman
3. Kripacharya
According to the epic Mahabharat, Kripaacharya (Kripa) was the council member of the Kuru Kingdom and the teacher (Kul Guru) of Kaurav and Pandav. In the Kurukshetra war, Kripacharya fought from the side of Kauravas. He was one of the few surviving warriors after the Mahabharat war. He later trained Parikshit, the grandson of Arjuna and son of Abhimanyu. He was known for his impartiality and loyalty to his kingdom.
Read more about: Life of Kripacharya, role in Mahabharata and his Philosophy
4. Mahabali
Bali, also known as Mahabali was the king of Asuras and the virtuous Emperor of the three worlds. During Brahman’s avatar Lord Vishnu blessed him to be a Chiranjeevi. Every year on the day of Onam, he descends to the land of heaven to visit his people, those of the Kerala Region.
Read more about Mahabali: The Benevolent King and Ashta Chiranjivi
5. Markandeya
Markandeya was a child, when he was born or before he was born this choice was made, the parents had to choose either they will have an idiot who will live for 100 years or a brilliant shinning being who will live only for 16 years. The parents were wise, and those chose the latter that they bore a brilliant, shining child of enormous capabilities, but as days passed, as years rolled in, they became anxious because they knew the expiry date.
They revealed this to the child as the date came close because the child was phenomenally wise and knowledgeable.
When the moment came when the god of death, Yama, came to claim his life, Markandeya, who knew the ways of life, just did one simple act. There was a form of Shiva, in the form of an ellipsoid or a linga- an energy form which was particularly consecrated as Kala Bhairava, and he just held the linga.
The moment he held the linga, the time came to a standstill, and death could not approach him and held him right there. He continued to live as a fifteen-year-old boy because he came in touch with the dimension of consciousness, which we refer to as Kala Bhairava.
6. Parashurama
Parashurama is the 6th Avatar of Lord Vishnu. and is known as the master of all Astra’s Shastras and divine weapons. Kalki Purana writes that he will reappear at the time of the end of Kali Yuga. Parashurama will guide Kali’s avatar through penance to receive the celestial weapons necessary to save humanity.
Read more about Parashurama
7. Ved Vyasa
Vedvyasa was a great sage born in the later stage of Treta Yuga and said he had lived the Dvapara Yuga and the current Kali Yuga. The sage-like any other seven immortals have a lifetime of this manav avatar all till the end of this Kali-Yuga. Vedvyasa was the writer of Mahabharata. It is also debated that Vedvyasa is not only a being but a group of scholars who worked on the Vedas.
Vedvyasa literally means the devisor of the Vedas. That said, however, it is widely believed that he was a single human named Srila Vyasadeva, who appeared as the son of Parashara Muni and his wife, Satyavati.
8.Vibhishan
Vibhishan was the brother of the demon king, Ravan. He helped Lord Rama in his battle with Ravana. He was later crowned as king of Lanka after Rama Killed Ravana. Vibhisan became a Chiranjeevi to be able to maintain good deeds and righteousness in Lanka and guide people in the path of Dharma.
Note: These are not the actual photos of these immortals but are the product of artistic creatures or the artist. Images are only used for figurative purposes.