Abhaya to Abhijit

Abhaya (m. fearless)

Abhaya was one among the hundred Kauravas.

There are two lists of the hundred Kauravas mentioned in the Mahabharata. The first in Section 67 of the Adi Parva (1.067) and the second in Section 117 of the Adi Parva (1.117). Abhaya’s name is mentioned in both those lists.

Abhaya along with some of his brothers fought Bhīma on the thirteenth and fourteenth day of the battle. He was killed by Bhīma on the fourteenth day.

Abhibhu (m. superior)

            Abhibhu was a warrior or a prince of Kashi. He fought with the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra War. He was killed by King Vasudana’s son on the fifteenth or sixteenth day of war.

Abhighata Tribe (m. destroyer)

            The Abhighata tribe was a north-western tribe who were minor vassals of the Trigarta clan. They fought against Arjuna during his battle with the Trigarta.

Abhijit (m. victorious)

            Abhijit is a nakshatra or star and one of the Moon God’s twenty-eight wives. Abhijit is called Vega and is located in the constellation of Lyra.

In the story of Skanda as narrated by Maitreya in the Vana Parva, Abhijit left the heavens in jealousy of her sister, Rohini. Hence, Abhijit was called the “fallen star”.

However, it was also considered an auspicious star to be born under. The eighth muhurta of the day was also named Abhijit and it was under this muhurta that Yudhishtira was born. This time corresponds to somewhere between 11:36 am and 12:24 p.m. Yudhishtira was said to be born at noon.