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{{for|the ancient tribe|Kekaya}}
'''Kekeya''' (also known as Kekaya, Kaikaya, Kaikeya etc.) is a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic [[Mahabharata]]. The epic [[Ramayana]] mentions One of the wives of Kul from Raghukul's [[Dasharatha]], the king of and father of [[Raghav Ram]],
was from Kekeya kingdom and was known as [[Kaikeyi]]. Her son [[Bharata (Ramayana)|Bharata]] conquered the neighbouring kingdom of [[Gandhara Kingdom|Gandhara]] and built the city of [[Taxila|Takshasila]] (in modern day's [[Pakistan]]). Later the sons and descendants of Bharata ruled this region from Takshasila.

In [[Mahabharata]], a '''Kekaya prince''' was mentioned, who joined the [[Pandavas]] in [[Kurukshetra War]]. He was the eldest among the six brothers and was described as a king known as '''Vrihatkshatra''' who is banished from his kingdom by his own kinsmen, like the [[Pandavas]] who were banished from their [[Kuru Kingdom]], by their cousin brothers viz the [[Kauravas]] headed by [[Duryodhana]]. Thus this Kekaya brother was circumstantially inclined to ally with the [[Pandavas]]. Besides this, the 6 Kekaya brothers were sons of the sister of [[Kunti]], the mother of the [[Pandavas]], making them cousins. In [[Kurukshetra War]], the Kekaya brother fought against his own kinsmen, viz the other 5 Kekaya brothers who sided with [[Duryodhana]].

== References in Mahabharata ==

Kekaya is mentioned as an ancient Indian (Bharata Varsha) kingdom at (6,9).

=== Alliances of Kekaya brides with Puru kings ===

*[[Puru (Vedic tribe)|Puru]] king Sarvabhauma married Sunanda, the daughter of the Kekaya prince, having obtained her by force. (1,95)
*[[Puru (Vedic tribe)|Puru]] king Parikshit's son Bhimasena married Kumari, the princess of Kekaya and begot upon her Pratisravas whose son was Pratipa, the father of [[Santanu]]. (1,95)

=== Kekaya Kings ===

==== King Sahasrachitya ====

There was a ruler of the Kekayas, named Sahasrachitya and he was the grandfather of king Satayupa, who was the contemporary of [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] king [[Dhritarashtra]]. Abdicating his kingdom to his eldest son, king Sahasrachitya retired into the woods. (15,20)

==== King Satyayupa ====

Satayupa was the great king of the Kekayas. Having made over the sovereignty of his kingdom to his son he had come into the woods. [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] king [[Dhritarashtra]], after the [[Kurukshetra War]] was over, installed the victorious [[Pandava]] king [[Yudhishthira]], on the throne of the Kuru capital, [[Hastinapura]]. He then retired to woods. Then Satayupa, received king Dhritarashtra with due rites. Accompanied by him, the latter proceeded to the retreat of [[Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa|Vyasa]]. Arrived at Vyasa’s retreat, Dhritarashtra received his initiation into the forest mode of life. Returning he took up his abode in the retreat of Satayupa. The high-souled Satayupa, instructed Dhritarashtra in all the rites of the forest mode, at the command of Vyasa. (15,19)

==== King Vrihatkhsatra ====

The Kekaya brothers (six each) who fought the [[Kurukshetra War]], on the side of [[Pandavas]] as well as on the side of [[Kauravas]], belonged to the next generation of Kekaya's royal family. The foremost of them was Vrihatkshatra, the eldest of the brothers who sided with the [[Pandavas]]. He was described as a king of Kekaya. He had a son named '''Visoka''', who also fought in [[Kurukshetra War]].

==== Kekaya bowmen Dyumatsena ====
''Not much is known about this warrior from Kekaya except the following passages.''

After [[Bhima]]’s education was finished from [[Bala Rama]], he became in strength like unto Dyumatsena himself. (1,141). Dyumatsena, the chief of bowmen among the Kekayas was present in [[Yudhishthira]]'s court, newly inaugurated at [[Indraprastha]] (2,3).

=== Kekaya's friendship with the Pandavas ===

The five Kekaya princes, allied with the [[Kauravas]] and Eldest sixth one allied with [[Pandavas]] and visited the [[Pandavas]] when they were banished into woods along with other [[Pandava]] allies viz [[Krishna in the Mahābhārata|Vasudeva Krishna]], [[Dhristadyumna]] and [[Dhrishtaketu]] (3–12,22,51,120), (5,55).

=== The five Kekaya brothers, on the Kauravas side ===

The five Kekaya brothers who battled on the Kauravas side in [[Kurukshetra War]] is mentioned at many places (5–61,83,144).

At (5,22) is mentioned:- deposed from the throne of the Kekaya land, and desirous of being reinstated thereon, the five mighty brothers from that land, wielding mighty bows, are now following the [[Pandavas]] ready to fight. The Panchalas and the Matsyas, along with the very herdsmen that attend on their kins and sheep, are rejoicing and gladdening [[Yudhishthira]] (5–50,53). Only one Kekaya brother is on Pandavas side.

The five royal brothers of Kekaya, accepted the Kekaya warriors (on Dhritarashtra’s side) as antagonists. And in their share are included the [[Malava Kingdom|Malavas]] also, and the [[Salwa Kingdom|Salwakas]], as also, the two famous warriors of the [[Trigarta Kingdom|Trigarta]] host who have sworn to conquer or die. (5,57).

The princes of Kekaya, and Dhrishtaketu, and the son of the [[Kingdom of Kashi|king of the Kasis]], and Srenimat, and Vasudana, and the invincible Sikhandin, all hale and hearty, cased in armour and armed with weapons and decked with ornaments, marched behind Yudhishthira (5,152).

=== The hundred Kekaya brothers on Kaurava side ===

Kekayas on Kaurava side is mentioned at many places (5–19,30,198), (6,16)

The five Kekaya brothers, (probably those who sided with [[Duryodhana]]) were equated with the five [[Asuras]] viz Ayahsira, Aswasira, Aysanku, Gaganamurdhan, and Vegavat. (1,67)

[[Jayadratha]] (the brother-in-law of [[Duryodhana]]), assisted by the Kekayas, endeavoured to ravish [[Draupadi]] (the wife of [[Pandavas]]) (11,22)

The five royal brothers, the princes of Kekaya, hastened to [[Duryodhana]] with an Akshauhini of troops, and gladdened his heart. (5,19). Kekayas were mentioned along with the Vasatis, the [[Salwa Kingdom|Salwakas]], the Amvashthas, and the [[Trigarta Kingdom|Trigartas]] as allies of [[Duryodhana]] at (5,30). The Kekayas on the Kaurava side marched under [[Drona]] along with Vinda and Anuvinda, both of [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]] and the [[Bahlika Kingdom|Vahlikas]]. (5,198). 100 Kekaya brothers were generals in the Kaurava army along with others like Vinda and Anuvinda, of [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]] (6,16).

The camp of the Kekayas used to have loud sound of song and slapping of palms which their soldiers, engaged in dance and revelry, used to make. (7,84)

=== The appearance of Kekaya brothers on Pandava side ===

The Kekaya brothers, were all of ''the hue of Indragopaka insects'' (mix of red and black colors) (5,141). All of them had '''purple flags''' (5,57). The five Kekaya brothers, resembling (in hue) the insects called Indragopakas, had red coats of mail, red weapons and red banners. (7,10). The five Kekaya brothers were borne by steeds of deep red hue. They were of the splendour of gold and had standards of the red hue, and were decked with chains of gold (7,23).

The Kekaya brother is lying on the ground, slain by [[Drona]]. Their coats of mail, of the splendour of heated gold, and their tall standards and cars and garlands, all made of the same metal, are shedding a bright light on the earth like so many blazing fires. (11,25)

=== Kekayas in Kurukshetra War ===

==== On Pandava Side ====

(7–21,83,107), (8–3,
Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas, became protectors of [[Arjuna]]’s car-wheels, along with the '''Kekaya brothers''', and [[Dhrishtaketu]], and [[Chekitana]] of great valour. (6,19). The Kekaya brothers at the head of their troops, encountered in battle the five [[Gandhara Kingdom|Gandhara]] princes with their troops. (6,45).

*Kekaya king is mentioned as fighting for the [[Pandavas]] at (6,52).
*The king of the Kekayas, owning an akshauhini, formed the right wing of a [[Pandava]] battle-array (6,69). The five Kekaya brothers consisted the left wing of another array at another day of the war (6,75)
*[[Dushasana]] fought with the five Kekaya brothers. (6,79)
*The chief of the Kekayas, who was equal to [[Bhima]] himself in battle and surrounded by Kekaya warriors, has been slain by Kekaya, the brother by the brother. (8,6)
*1700 Kekaya troops, skilled in smiting, united with a body of the Panchala troops checked the [[Kauravas]] trying to capture [[Yudhishthira]]. (8,62)
*Drona, with his swift-going shafts, slew all the Kaikeyas (7,152)
*The five Kekaya brothers are lying on the ground, slain by Drona. (11,25)

===== Battles of Vrihadkshatra =====

[[Kripa]] rushed against Vrihadkshatra, the ruler of the Kaikeyas. (6,45). Excellent steeds of the Sindhu breed, of beautiful limbs, and of the hue of the smoke of straw, quickly bore the Kaikeya prince, Vrihatkshatra. (7,23). Vrihatkshatra and others rushed against Drona (7,33). The mighty car-warrior among the Kaikeyas, viz., Vrihatkshatra, incessantly scattering keen shafts that resembled the thunder in force, proceeded towards [[Drona]]; then Kshemadhurti of great fame quickly rushed against Vrihatkshatra (7,103). Having slain his foe, Kshemadhurti, the mighty car-warrior Vrihatkshatra became filled with joy (7,104). Vrihadkshatra and others rushed against [[Ashwathama]] (7,198).

===== Death of Vrihatkshatra =====

The mighty car-warrior of the Kaikeyas, Vrihatkshatra the eldest of five brothers, rushed against [[Drona]], the generalissimo of the [[Kauravas]]. He baffled Drona's Brahma weapon with his Brahmna weapon. Drona, with a third shaft well-shot from his bow, pierced Vrihatkshatra himself in the chest. Thereupon, the latter, thus struck in the chest, fell down from his car, slain. (7,122).(8,5)

===== Death of Kekaya Prince Visoka and Kekaya commander Ugrakarman =====

[[Karna]] slew '''Visoka''', the son of the ruler of the Kaikayas. Upon the slaughter of the Kaikaya prince, the commander of the Kaikaya division, '''Ugrakarman''', rushed with speed and striking Prasena, Karna's son. Then Karna, with three crescent-shaped arrows, cut off the arms and the head of his son’s assailant. (8,82)

==== On Kaurava Side ====

The Abhishahas, the [[Surasena Kingdom|Surasenas]], the [[Sivi Kingdom|Sivis]], and the Vasatis, the [[Salwa Kingdom|Salwas]], the [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsyas]], the Amvashtas, the [[Trigarta Kingdom|Trigartas]], and the Kekayas, the [[Sauvira Kingdom|Sauviras]], the Kitavas, and the dwellers of the Eastern, Western, and the Northern countries,--these twelve brave races protected the [[Kaurava]] generalissimo, [[Bhishma]]. (6,18)

*Kekayas along with the Trigartas, the Matsyas (Matsays in the western region) and the Vatadhanas were mentioned as part of the Kaurava army at (6,56)
*The Trigartas and the Madras, with the Kekayas, numbering 25000 urged by [[Duryodhana]], surrounded [[Arjuna]] (6,61)
*The mighty car-warrior, the son of the ruler of the Kaikeyas stayeth on the field for battling for [[Duryodhana]]'s sake. (8,6)

=== Kekaya and Avanti ===

At some places in [[Mahabharata]] people of [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]] is mentioned as Kekayas. This could be an oral-transmission error crept into Mahabharata, or a translation error, or could mean some tribal-link between Avanti and Kekaya. Similar to other western rulers, like the [[Kamboja Kingdom|Kambojas]], the Kekayas also had migrated to east, hence in principle, could reach [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]]. In fact, in [[Ramayana]], there is some indication of a Kekaya kingdom in the eastern sea-shore !

*Vinda and Anuvinda of ''Avanti'', with their troops encountered [[Virata]], the ruler of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsyas]] at the head of his forces. That awful encounter between the Matsyas and the ''Kekayas'' was terrible. (7,23).
*[[Satyaki]] (''a [[Pandava]] general, belonging to the [[Yadu|Yadava]] clan, who was a disciple in arms, of [[Arjuna]]'') checked the Kaikaya princes Vinda and Anuvinda. The two Kaikaya princes, in that battle, shrouded Satyaki. Satyaki shrouded the Kaikaya brothers. Satyaki cut the head of Anuvinda with a razor arrow, sorrowing the Kaikeyas. Satyaki next slew Vinda in a sword fight. ''Amazingly these Vinda and Anuvinda resemble in name to the two other princes named Vinda and Anuvinda who were from [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]]. They however were slain by [[Arjuna]] (7,96)''

=== Other References ===
*A lady named Sumana of Kekaya’s race is mentioned at (13,123)
*Conversation of Kaikeya King and a [[Rakshasa Kingdom|Rakshasa]] is mentioned at (12,76)

== Reference in Bhagavata Purana ==

The five Kekaya brothers were the sons of [[Kunti]]'s sister '''Srutakirti''', wedded to Kekaya king Dhristaketu. Kunti's sister Srutadevi was wedded to the [[Karusha Kingdom|Karusha]] king Vriddhasarma, whose son was [[Dantavakra]]. Kunti's sister Srutasravas was married to the [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]] king Damaghosha whose son was [[Shishupala]]. Kunti's sister Rajadhidevi was married to the [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]] king. ([[Bhagavata Purana]], Canto 9, Chapter 24 (The history of [[Yadu|Yadavas]]), Verses 37–40)

== See also ==

[[Kingdoms of Ancient India]]

== References ==

{{Empty section|date=July 2016}}

==External links==
{{Tribes and kingdoms of the Mahabharata}}

*[[Mahabharata]] of [[Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa]], translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
*[[Ramayana]] of Valmiki
*Mahabhagavata [[Purana]] of [[Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa]]

[[Category:Kingdoms in the Ramayana]]
[[Category:Kingdoms in the Mahabharata]]

Kekeya Kingdom - Revision history

imported>Sutyarashi at 16:04, 3 August 2021