These two heroes from the Mahabharata were unbeatable even by Shri Krishna, so they resorted to a strategy where they sacrificed their own lives!

 

The Mahabharata contains many stories based on hatred, but among them is also the story of two brave warriors that depicts a unique relationship of love. The valor and love of these two warriors are remembered by all, and even Shri Krishna himself was an admirer of their bravery. Who were they, and how did they meet their end? Let's find out...

The Mahabharata features many characters that portray different situations of today's society. For instance, Karn's character depicts caste discrimination and bias prevalent in today's society, while the relationship between Eklavya and Arjuna mirrors the rich-poor divide. Similarly, the Mahabharata describes the story of two warriors whose love for each other led them to sacrifice their lives. Their love has been given many names and labels, but their story is most remarkable.

This is the tale of Hans and Dimbhak, mentioned in the 14th chapter of the Sabha Parva of the Mahabharata. Both were commanders in the army of Magadha's King Jarasandha and were so valiant that even defeating them was beyond Shri Krishna's control. Therefore, Shri Krishna had to resort to deceit to eliminate them. It was said that if Hans and Dimbhak were alive, Jarasandha alone could conquer all three worlds. Jarasandha, the king of Magadha, was the father-in-law of Mathura's king Kansa and an enemy of Shri Krishna. After Shri Krishna killed Kansa and placed his maternal grandfather Ugrasena on the throne, Jarasandha sought revenge by attacking Mathura seventeen times with Hans and Dimbhak. While they were defeated in every assault, Mathura suffered great losses as a result.

Due to the valor of Hans and Dimbhak, Jarasandha repeatedly attacked Mathura. At that time, Shri Krishna devised a special strategy to kill both commanders, basing it on their love. When the 17th attack was launched on Mathura, Balaram called out to Hans for a duel. As the battle raged between them, soldiers spread the news that Hans had been killed. Dimbhak loved Hans so much that he could not imagine living without him. Upon hearing this, Dimbhak jumped into the Yamuna and sacrificed his life. When Hans heard of Dimbhak's death, he could not bear to live alone and also committed suicide. Despite their bravery, their mutual affection led to their deaths, which is incredibly poignant and defines a unique aspect of love. Jarasandha was disheartened by the deaths of both commanders and retreated from Magadha.

Different texts describe the love between these two warriors differently, but in the Mahabharata, they are portrayed as more than just friends. However, in the Harivamsha Purana, they are described as brothers. Their deaths are mentioned in a verse from the Mahabharata, Chapter 14:

हता हंस इति प्रोक्तमथ केनापि भारत| तत्छुत्वा डिंभको राजन् यमुनाम्भस्यमज्जत||

बिना हंसेन लोकेस्मिन नाहं जीवितुमुत्सहे| इत्येतां मतिमास्थाय दिंभको निधनं गतः"||

"Hata Hans iti proktam atha kenaapi bharata | Tatchhutva Dimbhako rajan yamunambhasyamajjata || Bina Hansena lokeshmin naham jivitumutsahe | Ityetam matimasthaya Dimbhako nidhanam gatah" ||

This verse means 'Someone shouted that Hans was killed. Upon hearing this, Dimbhak, knowing that Hans was dead, jumped into the Yamuna. Unable to live in this world without Hans, Dimbhak took his own life. After this, Hans also jumped into the Yamuna and sacrificed his life.