Who is your favorite character from Indian mythology?

 Rama is my fav character closely followed by Hanuman :

Rama is the greatest warrior I've ever witnessed . There is no warrior superior to Rama

He is the inspiration to every human who wanted to conquer evil thoughts and lust inside them

Over thousands of apsaras and beautiful womens lusted him but he never betrayed his wife by lusting other women

Rama always protects his devotees and helpless individuals like Sugreeva

He treated his devotees as his sons

He showed compassion to even cruel Rakhasas

There is no character better than Rama. He has the greatest devotee known to mankind in the name of Hanuman

Jai shree ram 🙏🙏🙏

Who is the most powerful negative character in Hindu mythology?

 Most here are saying Ravana because they are either not aware of other Asuras or simply because Ravana is the most infamous cause of the popularity of Ramayana.......

I would say Hiranyaksha was the most powerful Asura in Hindu mythology cause of following reasons
1. He took the earth or (embodiment of earth) and hid her at the bottom of the 'Cosmic Ocean' or Primordial Ocean, this Primordial Ocean is what existed before creation of the Universe. Most other Asuras or Rakshasas were at best able to rule the earth and some defeated devas, but none is ever known to have taken earth to the bottom of Cosmic Ocean or Patala.
2. Lord Vishnu had to take birth as a Gigantic Varaha in order to Lift earth out and kill Hiranyaksha, this is the first time Lord Vishnu had to incarnate to kill a demon
3. The Varaha avtara and Hiranyaksha fought for over a 1000 years before Hiranyaksha was finally defeated. No other demon thereafter was able to fight either Vishnu or Shiva for so long.
4.If we were to take a closer look at Hindu scriptures all races become weaker with time or as time passes from Satya Yuga to Kaliyuga. Hiranyaksha was an Asura of Satya Yuga. Ravana was a very powerful Asura of Treta Yuga. Lord Rama had to fight and kill him as a human by means that were possible for humans to achieve without using his divine powers.
Other powerful Asuras were Andhakasura (son of Hiranyaksha), Hiranyakashipu( brother of Hiranyaksha), Mahishasura and Raktabeeja

Who is your favorite character in Mahabharata, and why?

 Why just Mahabharata, Let me consider from all the Hindu epics so far !!

It’s not Lord Krishna / Rama / Shiva / Vishnu or some one else ! ( It doesn’t mean that i don’t like or worship them. Yes, I do. )

Presenting you the greatest warrior ever in the history of epics, who has taken the meaning of loyalty, kindness & charity to the next level !

Meet Mr.Daana veera soora Karna, Warrior of the Sun !

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( If you are meeting him for the first time, let me tell you why he my favorite. But, before that let me elaborate his titles in order not to get my answer get collapsed by Quora moderators for the words in the answer that are not in English )

Daana - Habit of charity

Veera - Power of audacity

Soora - Potential of bravery

These habits of him make him one of the compelling roles in the epic Mahabharata !

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A glimpse of his pitiable life :

• Karna is the premarital child born with armour (Kavacha) and a pair of ear rings (Kundala) for kunti and the sun god.
• He was left behind in a basket and set him afloat on the river ganga, by his mother kunti, as she was afraid of being an unwed mother.

• Adhiratha, a charioteer of King Dhritarashtra of Hastinapur found him on the banks of the river and brought him home. His wife radha raised the boy as their own son and named him Vasusena. He also came to be known as Radheya, the son of Radha.
• Due to karna’s interest in the art of warfare, he approached Dronacharya. But he refused to teach him as he was not Kshatriya. ( Kshatriya - people from ruling and military elite ).
• As Parshurama, dronacharya’s own guru only teach to Brahmins, Karna appeared before him as such. Parashurama accepted him and trained him to such a point that he declared Karna to be equal to himself in the art of warfare and archery.
• On a day towards the end of his training, Karna happened to offer Parashurama his lap so his guru could rest his head and take a nap. Lord Indra became afraid of the fighting prowess of Karna and he himself took the form of a bee and stung Karna's thigh in order to benefit his son Arjuna.

• Despite the pain, Karna did not move, so as not to disturb his guru. With blood oozing from his wound, Parashurama woke up and at once deduced that Karna was not a Brahmin. Enraged, Parashurama accused Karna of stealing knowledge, and laid curse upon Karna that he would forget all the knowledge required to wield the Brahmanda astra. :(
• Karna, once encountered a child who was crying over her pot of spilled ghee. As she refused to take new ghee & asked for the same ghee, he squeezed the soil to extract the ghee into her pot. Later Bhoomidevi, the Earth goddess cursed him that he will die helplessly for inflicting enormous pain on Mother Earth for the sake of a mere child. :(
• On a friendly duel tournament conducted by Dronacharya, Karna was not allowed to fight with Arjuna as he was from lower caste & get insulted by bheema as a stray dog, for his mixed caste and lineage. :(
• Duryodhana, the eldest of the one-hundred sons of the king Dhritarashtra, knew that his cousins Pandavas were better at warfare. Seeing Karna as a chance to get on even terms with them he immediately offered Karna the throne of the kingdom of Anga, making him a king and hence eligible to fight a duel with Arjuna. When Karna asked him what he could do to repay him, Duryodhana told him that all he wanted was his friendship ! :)

• Karna is not just a mighty bowman but also the one who won Jarasandha in wrestling. Only Balarama and Bhima ever did that. This happened when he helped Duryodhana marrying Bhanumathi. Such is the physical strength and power of Karna.
• Karna later married Vrushali belonging to the Suta caste, as per the wishes of his foster father Adiratha.
• Later after Pandavas were in exile after losing in tricky game played by Shakuni, Karna took up the task of establishing Duryodhana as the Emperor of the world. He waged wars all over the world and made submission of entire kingdoms in the world & came back to Hastinapura with immense wealth and power the world had never witnessed before.
• Indra realized that Karna would be invincible in battle and unable to be killed as long as he had his Kavach and Kundal. He approaches Karna as a poor Brahmin during Karna's sun-worship. As he was aware that he know him and what he wanted. He cut his armor and earrings off his body, and handed over them to Indra. Feeling ashamed, Indra asked Karna to accept a gift in return. Karna rejected this offer telling that he didn't give charity expecting anything in return.

• As the war approached, Kunti met Karna and in desperation to keep her children alive asked Karna to join the Pandavas. Kunti revealed the truth about Karna's birth. She extracted couple of promises from Karna that he will not kill any of the Pandavas except Arjuna and against Arjuna he will not use a same celestial weapon twice as she still would have 5 children !

• On the day of war, Karna is deeply disturbed by the discouraging words by his own charioteer Shalya, as he even chants reverences of Arjuna weakened him much emotionally.
• Lord Krishna, devices a plan and sends Ghatothkacha, the son of Bheema, to attack the camps of Kauravas. Ghatothkacha is blessed to die only through Brahmastram and therefore is killed by Karna, who loses out on his prime weapon. This changes the course of the battle and established Arjuna as the more powerful warrior.
• On the day Arjuna faced off with Karna, the weather was horrible because Indra (god of rain) was in full force to support his son. Arjuna’s chariot wheel was stuck in the mud while fighting Karna and Karna stopped fighting, because it was not fair. Krishna and Arjuna pulled the chariot wheel free and then the fighting resumed.
• On the last day, all his curses came into action which resulted in forgetting the incantations to divine weapons taught by Parasurama and also get discouraged much after failing to get his chariot wheel stuck out of earth. Even shalya left him saying that he is not a servant to help him out, which led Arjuna kill him by shooting an arrow ruthlessly into Karna’s chest, with the help of Krishna. :(

• Lord Krishna came in the form of a Brahmin asked him to donate his wealth in his last moments. Even while collapsing Karna took a rock, smashed his golden teeth and washed it by shooting the arrow by placing Gangaastra mantra on it gave it to the Brahmin. The Brahmin smiled and turned into Lord Krishna & praised him. Krishna showed Karna his Viswa swaroop. Karna was very glad and fell at Lord's feet and left this cruel world. :(

I don't know what kind of so called heroes they are, killing an unstoppable helpless warrior off his chariot against the war ethics, while trying to pull it out !

Pandavas may have won the war. Nevermind !

But, Karna has won our hearts !! :)

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Now coming to your second question. Why ?

It’s not the fault of him

• for his birth & abandoned by his own mother ! :(
• getting cursed by heinous words by those so called heroic five people who are being said that they follow so called eternal laws all the time ! :(
• helping a little girl child for her grief in extracting her spilled ghee, and get cursed for that ! :(
• helping his teacher having a peaceful sleep on his lap, despite of irresistible pain of bee sting & getting cursed for that ! :(
• joining the wrong side, as duryodhana was the only guy helped him in such tough times by making him a king and a good friend ! :(
• losing the war even after getting many chances to kill all the pandavas, he let them live, just for the word given to his so called mother ! :(

Despite of all these painful curses and unfortunate consequences, he stood on his words by showing his loyalty towards friendship, significant nature of charity, and followed his values till the last breath.

He is not only a true gem of his kind !

He is not only just an impeccable warrior !

He is not only just an unbounded inspiration to anyone!

Besides that, he is a great human who have the kindest heart ever !

His flawless character have to be praised by everyone irrespective of religion !

If there are so called laws that punish the innocent people without even analysing the real circumstances, I will stand against such laws !

Remember my hero, even if the whole world is against you, I will be there by your side !

# Saaho Karna ( Translation : Hail Karna )

More power to you !!

_/\_Take a bow _/\_

Embrace at least a few values from his life and try to follow them ! :)

Thanks for your time :)

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Source : Google, Wikipedia, Chaibisket, thoughtcloudstudio, Blogs etc..

Which is the most overrated character in the Hindu mythology?

 

All the asuras are overrated characters. All of them be it Mahishasura, Tarakasura, Hiranyaksha, Hiranyakashipu, Ravana, Tripurasuras, Madhu-Kaitabha, Andhakasura, Bhandasura etc . The texts mention that they defeated some xyz gods and also deities beginning with Indra. Those references are taken literally ignoring what the devas are capable of doing.

The air that is inside beings is always in motion. If I have committed an evil act, let it free my breath of life. If I have committed an evil act, let fire, water, space, earth and air free my breath of life.’ Then a sacred voice spoke from the firmament. It echoed in all the directions and gladdened the great-souled monkeys. Vayu said, ‘O Raghava! This is the truth. I am the wind that is always in motion. O king! Maithili is without taint. Unite with your wife.’ Agni said, ‘O descendant of the Raghu lineage! I am the wind that resides in the bodies of all beings. O Kakutstha! Maithili has not committed a crime, even in the slightest way.’ Varuna said, ‘O Raghava! The juices in the bodies of beings owe their existence to me. I am asking you to accept Maithili back.’

-Mahabharata, Draupadi-Harana Parva, Chapter 572(275)

So, the gods like Agni, Vayu and Varuna control the inner organs of all the beings including the Asuras. If they get serious, no asura I repeat no asura would’ve been the victors on the gods of heaven (not even speaking of tridev). One such act was done by Vayu

When you fell down on the summit of the mountain, your left cheekbone was shattered. Because of this, you have been known by the name of Hanumat. On seeing that you had been struck, Vayu, the bearer of scents, was himself extremely enraged and the wind ceased to blow in the three worlds. All the gods were terrified and the three worlds were agitated. The lords of the worlds sought the favours of the enraged wind god.

-Ramayana, Kishkinda-Kanda, Chapter 65

So if they desire Agnic an burn any asura from inside, Varuna can manipulate his body fluids and kill him, Vayu can choke him airless etc. Indra, Surya etc are the presiding deities of parts of body and they can manipulate them as well. So the Asuras are the most overrated characters across the texts.

What is the story behind the character DADA in the movie "Khalnayak" by Subhash Ghai?

 The character’s name in the film is Roshan Mahanta, also addressed as “Roshan Da”/ “Roshi Ba” and “Roshi Baba” in the film. Pramod Moutho plays this role of a master criminal who corrupts and exploits the protagonist Ballu (Sanjay Dutt).

Roshan Mahanta was the basic underworld architect in the film who recruits and brainwashes troubled youths and makes them enter the world of crime.

He was the one who manipulates Ballu (Sunjay Dutt) to carry out high-profile illegal operations and eliminations.

Roshan Da was the main driver of conflict in the plot as Ballu’s refusal to portray his identity while in police custody triggers the core conflict, prison escape and undercover mission led by Insp. Ram and Ganga (Jackie Shroff & Madhuri Dixit) in the film.

Ballu blindly serves him but Roshan Da views him as a liability and tries to eliminate him. Finally, Ballu’s illusion of loyalty is destroyed which tiggers the final showdown.

Khalnayak was Pramod Moutho’s big commercial break after starring in serials like Buniyaad, Bharat Ek Khoj and Chanakya. Some of his other films are Dilwale, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Veergati, 1942 - A Love Story, Mehndi, Dushman, Bichhoo, Raju Chacha, Aks, Hathyaar, What's Your Rashee?

Image(s) Courtesy: Google

What actor perfectly did a character so well that no one else could take over?

 Arnold Schwarzenegger - Terminator.

Homelander - Anthony Starr.

Albert Wesker - Shawn Roberts.

Superman - Henry Calvill.

Jack Sparrow - Johnny Depp.

Neo - Keanu Reeves and Agent Smith - Hugo Weaving.

Iron Man - Robert Downey Jr.

Those actor played their role so well that i don't think I can see them as any other character or any other actor taking their role.

Which Mahabharata character knew Krishna's true identity first?

 

Bhishma knew Krishna’s identity much earlier than anyone else.

In Sabha parva he elaborately explained why Krishna should be the one to take first worship.

Hrishikesha is the officiating priest, the preceptor, the bridegroom, ^ the snataka, the king and the friend. Therefore, Achyuta has been shown the homage. The worlds owe their origin to Krishna and in him are they dissolved. It is in Krishna that all the beings of this universe are established. He is passive nature, he is the active doer and he is eternal. He is supreme among all beings and it is for this reason that Achyuta is the eldest. Intelligence, mind, greatness, wind, energy, water, sky, earth and the four kinds of beings^ — are all established in Krishna. The sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, the directions and the intermediate directions — are all established in Krishna.

Ch 35 Sabha parva Bori critical Edition

Bhishma also knew the Nara Narayana origin of Krishna and Arjuna through Narada.

the same way, Narayana killed many others in that battle. Behold! These two immensely valorous ones have arrived as the maharatha warriors Vasudeva and Arjuna. It is said that they are the ancient gods Nara and Narayana. They are invincible in the world of men, and even against Indra, the gods and the asuras. It is said that Narayana is Krishna and Phalguna 5 " is Nara. Narayana and Nara are one being, but have been divided into two. They have earned eternal and indestructible worlds because of their deeds. When the time for war has arrived, they are repeatedly born there and here. This is the task that they have to perform. That is what Narada, knowledgeable about the Vedas, told the assembled circle of the Vrishnis.

Ch 48 Udyoga parva Bori critical Edition

Bhishma took permission from Krishna to leave the body.

“O illustrious one! O god of the gods! O one who is worshipped by the gods and the asuras! O Trivikrama! O wielder of the conch shell, chakra and the club! I bow down before you. O Krishna! O Vaikuntha! O Purushottama! Grant me permission. Protect the Pandaveyas. They are devoted to you.

Ch 153 Anusasana parva Bori critical Edition

After him I think Kunti and Yudhishtir got to know Krishna’s reality.

Kunti said to Krishna

O Krishna! I know about the influence of your truth and your noble birth, and the intelligence and valour that you display in establishing your friends. In our lineage, you are dharma, you are truth and you are the greatness of austerities. You are the saviour. You are the great brahman. Everything is established in you. Everything will be as you say. Truth is established in you.” Govinda took his leave of her and circumambulated her. The mighty-armed one left for Duryodhana’s residence.’

Ch 88 Udyoga parva Bori critical Edition

Kunti prayed to Krishna to revive stillborn Parikshit. She knew he is all powerful supreme god.

Yudhishtira knew Krishna’s identity but so did other Pandavas including Draupadi.

Arjuna’s praise of Krishna in Vana parva proves the point. Same with Draupadi who acknowledged his omnipresence through her prayer.

So Bhishma leads the list in this regard.

According to you who is the most underrated character in the Mahabharata?

 Let us look at Jarasandha, not his personal prowess, but as the emperor of Magadh empire. Under this man, Magadh was MOST POWERFUL EMPIRE throughout dwpar yug. His strategic brilliance and intellect is thoroughly disregarded..

Jarasandh conquered all lands barring Hastinapur(due to Bhishma and Karna) and Dwaraka (because of them hiding in forts near mountainous regions). All other kingdoms were either subservient to him, was his allies or their kings were captured for human sacrifice. Nothing comes close to matching his military power. Pandavs never induced a fraction of fear into enemies hearts as much as Jarasandha did..

And, O exalted one, the eighteen tribes of the Bhojas, from fear of Jarasandha, have all fled towards the west; so also have the Surasenas, the Bhadrakas, the Vodhas, the Salwas, the Patachchavas, the Susthalas, the Mukuttas, and the Kulindas, along with the Kuntis.

And the king of the Salwayana tribe with their brethren and followers; and the southern Panchalas and the eastern Kosalas have all fled to the country of the Kuntis. So also the Matsyas and the Sannyastapadas, overcome with fear, leaving their dominions in the north, have fled into the southern country. And so all the Panchalas, alarmed at the power of Jarasandha, have left their own kingdom and fled in all directions.

The sheer amount of terror he spread throughout indian subcontinent is visible from the above paragraph. Kingdoms fled at his mere NAME.

He married his daughters to one of Yadavs named kams and used him as a puppet to weaken the Yadavs from within.

Some time before, the foolish Kansa, having persecuted the Yadavas, married two of the daughters of Jarasandha. They are called Asti and Prapti and Are the sister of Sahadeva. Strengthened by such an alliance, the fool persecuting his relatives gained an ascendency over them all. But by this conduct he earned great obloquy. The wretch also began to oppress the old kings of the Bhoja tribe, but they, to protect themselves from the persecution of their relative, sought our help.

When Krishn and Balaram killed Kams, Jarasandha waged war against Yadavs(including krishn and balram). JS had 2 powerful generals Hams and dimvak who proved too much for Yadavs and were killed through trickery. Jarasandh' was depressed and withdrew from war. However kamsa’s daughter instigates him against Yadavs and he came back for war. Because the Yadavs had just tasted the might of Magadh army, it was obvious to them that they weren't even a match to it and devided to FLEE FOR THEIR LIVES. This included Krishn and Balarama too. Which simply shows how extraordinary of a threat he was.

Then, O bull of the Bharata race, king Jarasandha, hearing that both Hansa and Dimvaka had been killed, returned to his kingdom with an empty heart. After Jarasandha had returned, O slayer of all foes, we were filled with pleasure and continued to live at Mathura.

Then the widow of kansa and the daughter of Jarasandha, that handsome woman with eyes like lotus-petals, grieved at the death of her lord, went unto her father, and repeatedly urged, O Monarch, the king of Magadha, saying,--O slayer of all foes, kill thou the slayer of my husband.--

Then, O great king, remembering the conclusion to which we had come of old we became exceedingly cheerless and fled from Mathura. Dividing our large wealth into small portions so as to make each portion easily portable, we fled from fear of Jarasandha, with our cousins and relatives. Reflecting upon everything, we fled towards the west. There is a delightful town towards the west called Kusasthali, adorned by the mountains of Raivata. In that city, O monarch, we took up our abode. We rebuilt its fort and made it so strong that it has become impregnable even to the Gods.

Jarasandha forced the Yadavs to relocate from their homeland Mathura to Dwarka. Such was his reign of TERROR.

Krishn further says, defeating Jarasandh (at head of his army) is impossible and should be neutralised in a single combat where neither his army nor his allies would interfere. And that's exactly how he was eliminated.

He is incapable of being vanquished in battle even by all the celestials and the Asuras (fighting together). We think, however, that he should be vanquished in a personal struggle with bare arms. In me is policy, in Bhima is strength and in Arjuna is triumph; and therefore, as prelude to performing the Rajasuya, we will certainly achieve the destruction of the ruler of Magadha.

When we three approach that monarch in secret, and he will, without doubt, be engaged in an encounter with one of us. From fear of disgrace, from covetousness, and from pride of strength he will certainly summon Bhima to the encounter.

The man who has induced terror even to Krishn and forced them to abandon their homeland and flee for their lives, yet none of the serials or later adaptations depict it. Infact, Books focused on Krishn whitewashed this pathetic defeat of Krishn and turned Jarasandha many times weaker.