The Wisdom of a Warrior: How Kharavela Defended India

Kharavela is celebrated for turning the once-weak Kalinga empire into a formidable force. His influence was so vast that his inscriptions were found from the northern region of Takshashila to the southern tip of Kanyakumari. Had all Indian rulers possessed his farsighted vision, wisdom, and love for his country, India might not have endured centuries of foreign domination.

Over 2200 years ago, the aftermath of the devastating war between Magadha and Kalinga left the latter in ruins. The people of Kalinga were suffering greatly due to Emperor Ashoka’s final conquest and subsequent natural calamities. To add to their woes, the Magadha army had desecrated their pride by stealing the ‘Sitalanatha Jina’ statue, dealing a severe psychological blow to the Kalingans.

A courageous and intelligent youth, [Kharavela] excelled in both warfare and academics.

At the tender age of 16, Kharavela was crowned the Yuvaraja (crown prince) and quickly grasped the gravity of the situation. Upon his father’s untimely demise, he ascended the throne at 25. His primary tasks were to uplift the spirits of his defeated people, assemble a formidable army to challenge Magadha and reclaim the stolen Sitalanatha Jina statue.

Skilled in statecraft, Kharavela ensured minimal burden on the people through wise taxation policies. He gained the trust and support of the commoners.

He then built a powerful Kalinga army and subdued the neighboring kingdoms that had been causing trouble.

Kharavela even performed the prestigious Ashvamedha Yaga sacrifice.

However, the task of retrieving the Sitalanatha Jina statue remained. The Kalinga army launched a daring attack on Gorathagiri, surrounding the Magadhan capital from all sides.

News of Kharavela’s offensive against Magadha spread far and wide. Meanwhile, the Yavana king Demetrius planned to exploit the situation by attacking Magadha from the north to settle an old score.

Learning about the Yavana army’s presence near Magadha, Kharavela displayed remarkable wisdom. He recognized that the Yavana attack posed a greater threat to all of India, not just Magadha. This was not the time for vengeance against Magadha. His primary duty was to repel the foreign invaders.

Kharavela’s army swiftly withdrew from the siege of the Magadhan capital and rushed to defend Magadha against the Yavanas. Caught off guard by this unexpected move, Demetrius was forced to retreat, averting the immediate danger.

This turn of events significantly impacted Magadha’s king, Brihaspatimitra. Accompanied by his council of ministers, he approached King Kharavela with an offer of friendship and respectfully returned the Sitalanatha Jina statue.

Upon its return to Kalinga, the statue was enshrined in a magnificent temple, marking the fulfillment of Kharavela’s vow. His reign ushered in a golden age for Kalinga, transforming it into a strong, prosperous, and well-defended kingdom.

Respecting all religions, sects, and traditions, Kharavela’s goal was to ensure the well-being of all his subjects. A just and righteous ruler, he was dedicated to protecting the dharma and cultural heritage of his land. King Kharavela stands as a proud and valiant hero in our history.