Narayani Sena

Narayani Sena, Narayana Gopas, Gopayan[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] or Yadava Sena, the army of Lord Krishna of Dwarka Kingdom is called as the supreme Sena of all time. It is described in the Mahabharata as being all of the Abhira (Ahir) caste.[16][17][18][19] They were the basic threat to the rival kingdoms. Fearing Narayani Sena, many Kings didn't try fighting against Dwaraka. Because Dwaraka sorted most of the threats through Krishna's politics and talent of Yadavas. Using Narayani Sena, the Yadavas extended their empire to most of India.[20][21][22]

Narayani Sena
नारायणी सेना
TypeArmy
RoleShock troops
Size100 million[1][2]
KingdomDwaraka
Nickname(s)Yadav Sena, Gopayan
ColoursYellow  
WeaponsSwords, Bow & Arrow, Spear, Mace etc.
EngagementsKurukshetra war
Commanders
Commander-in-ChiefKrishna
Other Commanders • Balaram
 • Pradyumna
 • Samba
 • Kritavarma
 • Satyaki and others.
Army during the Mahabharata's war

Composition of Narayani Sena

The Sena includes Krishna’s 18,000 brothers and cousins. The Sena had 7 Maharathis (Krishna, Balaram, Samba, Ahuka, Charudeshna, Chakradeva and Satyaki) and 7 Athirathis (Kritavarma, Anadhrishti, Samika, Samitinjaya, Kanka, Sanku, Kunti).

Involvement in Kurukshetra war

Before the war started in the Kurukshetra battlefield in Mahabharat (one of the two major epics of ancient India), both sides – the Kauravas and the Pandavas started out in all directions to meet various kings to solicit support. Incidentally, both Duryodhana (from Kauravas side) and Arjuna (from Pandavas side) reached Dwarika, the kingdom of Shree Krishna together. Lord Krishna put forward a condition in front of both – you can have either me on your side or my entire army, the Yadav army – known as the Narayani Sena. He also told both that he wouldn't take to any arms or weapon during the entire war. So when Krishna first asked Arjun what he wanted, much to Duryodhana's delight, he opted for the Lord- 'Narayan' and Duryodhana got these great warriors of the strong army-'the Narayani Sena. When Narayani Sena was fighting for Kauravas, only Kritavarma and his army unit fought for the Kauravas. Satyaki fought for the Pandavas. The rest of the Atirathis and Maharathis were withheld from the Kurukshetra war on the advice of Balram and Krishna.[23][24][25][26]

Post-war attack on Arjuna

These Gopas, whom Krishna had offered to Duryodhana to fight in his support when he himself joined Arjuna's side, were Abhiras.[27][28][29] They were the supporters of the Duryodhana[30][31] and Kauravas, and in the Mahabharata,[32] Abhir, Gopa, Gopal[33] and Yadavas are all synonyms.[34][35][36] They defeated the hero of Mahabharatha war (Arjuna), and spared him when he disclosed the identity of the members of the family of Sri Krishna.[37]

See also

Reference
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  3. Muir, John (1873). Original Sanskrit Texts on the Origin and History of the People of India: Comparison of the Vedic with the later representations of the principal Indian deities. 2d ed., rev. 1873. Trübner.
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  8. The Mahabharata: Volume 7. Penguin UK. 1 June 2015. ISBN 978-81-8475-944-0.
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  14. Shome, Alo (2000). Krishna Charitra: The Essence of Bankim Chandra. Pustak Mahal. p. 104. ISBN 8122310354.
  15. Hiltebeitel, Alf (January 1976). Ritual of Battle, The: Krishna in the Mahabharata. SUNY Press, 1976. p. 106. ISBN 9781438406725. But more than this, the comparison leads to the meaning of the terms by which Krishna determines that the first pick, in the choice between himself and the Narayana gopas, goes to Arjuna. It goes to the younger.
  16. commission, Great Britain Indian statutory (1930). Report of the Indian Statutory Commission ... H. M. Stationery Office. The Narayani Army which the Krishna organised and which made him so powerful that his friendship was eagerly sought by the greatest kings of his time, is described in the Mahabharata as being all of the Ahir caste.
  17. Rajputana Classes: 1921. Government Monotype Press. 1922. In the Mahabharat it is mentioned that the Narayani army which Sri Krishna organised was composed of Ahirs.
  18. Pandey, Braj Kumar (1996). Sociology and Economics of Casteism in India: A Study of Bihar. Pragati Publications, 1996. p. 78. ISBN 9788173070365. The Narayani Army which he organized, and which made him so powerful that his friendship was eagerly sought by the greatest kings of his time, is described in the Mahabharat as being all of the Abhira caste.
  19. Bhattacharya, Jogendra Nath (1896). Hindu Castes and Sects: An Exposition of the Origin of the Hindu Caste System and the Bearing of the Sects Towards Each Other and Towards Other Religious Systems. Thacker, Spink. The Narayni army which he organised, and which made him so powerful that his friendship was eagerly sought by the greatest kings of his time, is described in the Mahābhārat as being all of the Abhira caste.
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  21. Gopal Chowdhary (4 March 2014). The Greatest Farce of History. Partridge Publishing India. pp. 129–. ISBN 978-1-4828-1925-0.
  22. Subhash Krishna (19 July 2020). Salvation by Lord Shri Krishna. Notion Press. pp. 431–. ISBN 978-1-64587-108-8.
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