Jarita
Female bird from the Mahabharata, mother of four Vedic interpreters.
Jarita (Sanskrit: जरित, IAST Jaritā) is a figure from the Mahabharata, described as a female bird of the species called Sarngika. Her story involves the saint Mandapala, who assumed the form of a male bird and fathered four sons with her before abandoning her. She is noted for her devotion to protecting her children during the conflagration of the Khandava Forest.
- species
- Sarngika bird
- known_for
- Mother of four sons; devotion to her children during the Khandava Forest fire
- associated_texts
- Mahabharata, Rigveda
- sons
- Jaritari, Sarisrikta, Stambamitra, Drona
- also_referenced_as
- A tribe in the Rigveda; an earthen water jug
Lore & Background
Jarita was a female bird of the species Sarngika. The saint Mandapala, having returned from the shades because he had no son, assumed the form of a male bird and by her had four sons: Jaritari, Sarisrikta, Stambamitra, and Drona. After their birth, Mandapala abandoned her. During the conflagration of the Khandava Forest, Jarita showed great devotion to the protection of her children. They were eventually saved through the influence of Mandapala over the god of fire.
Reader's Guide
Jarita's significance lies in her role as a devoted mother in the Mahabharata, whose story highlights themes of parental sacrifice and divine intervention. Her sons are described as 'interpreters of the Vedas,' and hymns of the Rigveda bear the names of the second and third sons, Sarisrikta and Stambamitra. Additionally, the name Jarita appears in the Rigveda as a tribe, referenced in hymns X.27.1, III.15.5, and VIII.100.4. The term also refers to an earthen water jug, though it is an uncommon name. Jarita's legacy is thus multifaceted, spanning mythological narrative, Vedic literature, and linguistic usage.
Did You Know?
- Jarita was a female bird of the species Sarngika.
- Her four sons were named Jaritari, Sarisrikta, Stambamitra, and Drona.
- Her sons were 'interpreters of the Vedas,' and two Rigveda hymns bear the names of Sarisrikta and Stambamitra.
- The name Jarita also refers to a tribe mentioned in the Rigveda and to an earthen water jug.
More in Legendary birds 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record