When Yudhishthira Became King: Roles and Ministries Assigned to Bhima, Arjun, and Others After the Mahabharata War
When Yudhishthira Became King: Roles and Ministries Assigned to Bhima, Arjun, and Others After the Mahabharata War
When Yudhishthira Became King: Discover how Yudhishthira structured his kingdom after the Mahabharata war. Learn about the ministries assigned to Bhima, Arjun, and other key figures, and the significant reforms Yudhishthira implemented to bring justice and prosperity to Hastinapur.
The Mahabharata war lasted for 18 days. After this, when the war ended, a large number of soldiers and great warriors were killed from both sides. After the war was over, Yudhishthira did not want to become the king. Krishna, Bhishma, and his brothers prepared the distraught Yudhishthira to become the king. When he assumed the throne of the king, he also formed ministries to run the government. Appointed ministers for different responsibilities.
For a few days after the war, Yudhishthira was distraught about why he should become the king when everything was over after such a destructive war. On this, not only Krishna taught him the Rajdharma, but Bhishma Pitamah, lying on the bed of arrows, also gave him knowledge about Rajdharma for several days. He asked him to balance his mind and take the seat of the king.
When Yudhishthira Became King: Yudhishthira was crowned
When Yudhishthira was ready, he was crowned and made the king of Hastinapur. He followed justice and religion during his rule. He ruled for 36 years. After this, he handed over the kingdom to his grandson Parikshit and marched towards the Himalayas with his brothers to give up his life. Do you know that when Yudhishthira became the king, how did he create ministries to run the government, and who was given what responsibility?
When Yudhishthira Became King: How many lives were lost in the Mahabharata war
Before knowing this, let us know how many people lost their lives in the Mahabharata war, which disturbed Yudhishthira. The total number of armies of both sides in the Mahabharata war was 18 Akshohini, which included 11 Akshohini armies of the Kauravas and 7 Akshohini armies of the Pandavas. At the end of the war, only 18 warriors were left alive.
Akshaohini is an ancient Indian army measurement, which was used in the Mahabharata war. This represents a complete Chaturangini army, which consists of four major divisions: infantry, cavalry, charioteers, and elephants.
An Akshauhini consists of the following soldiers:
Infantrymen: 21,870
Horses: 21,870
Chariots: 21,870
Elephants: 21,870
Thus, an Akshauhini consists of a total of about 109,350 soldiers.
Who sat where at the coronation
When Yudhishthira was crowned, he sat on a golden throne. Bhima and Arjun stood on either side of the throne while Krishna and Satyaki stood in front of him. Nakul-Sahdev and Kunti sat next to him on a seat made of ivory decorated with gold. Gandhari, Yuyutsu, and Sanjaya were seated near Dhritarashtra.
At that time, special homas and prayers were performed. The drums were played. The conches were blown. Yudhishthira gave a lot of Dakshina to the Brahmins. In this way, Yudhishthira took charge as the king. Now his next task was to form a ministry to run the kingdom and assign it work.
What was Bhima appointed to?
He declared Bhima as the crown prince, which means that in his absence Bhima will be the head of the kingdom and will also help the king in all kinds of consultations and works related to the kingdom. It can be said that Bhima was also his home minister.
What did Vidur, Nakul and Arjuna become?
King Yudhishthira assigned Vidur the Ministry of consultation and treaty negotiations. Sanjaya was assigned the responsibility of formulating duties and income expenditure, which means he became his finance minister. Nakul was given the responsibility of the army, he became the defense minister. Arjuna was given the responsibility of obstructing the enemy kingdom and suppressing the evil, it can be said that his role was that of the foreign minister and the law minister and also of leading the army in case of war.
What role did Sahadev get?
Priest Dhoumya was given the responsibility of serving the gods and Brahmins. On the orders of Yudhishthira, Sahadeva was given the task of protecting him by always staying close to him. Vidur, Sanjaya, and Yuyutsu were asked to help in all the work related to King Dhritarashtra.
When Yudhishthira Became King: Who was given which palace?
On this occasion, Yudhishthira also gave separate palaces to the brothers. With the permission of Dhritarashtra, he gave Duryodhan’s palace to Bhima, Dushasan to Arjuna, Durmarshan to Nakul, and Durmukh’s palace to Sahadeva.
When Yudhishthira Became King: What reforms were done in governance
Yudhishthira made many important legal and social reforms while ruling Hastinapur.
Governance based on justice- Yudhishthira gave priority to religion and justice in his rule. He was known as a just king. He always followed religion in his decisions. He aimed to establish peace and prosperity in the kingdom.
Abandonment of deceit and fraud – After the war, Yudhishthira resolved to treat all people with love by abandoning deceit and fraud. He also followed the rules of war.
Social reforms – Followed the guidance of religion to establish peace and prosperity in the state. Took care of the welfare of all classes in the rule. He did not discriminate against any class or caste. Gave equal rights to all citizens.
Spread of education – Yudhishthira emphasized the spread of education in his rule. He encouraged Brahmins and scholars. Gave them special facilities.