The truth about Sahastrarjun.

A tribute to the only mard of mahishmati. He is not Bahubali his real name is "Arjuna" of the Haihay clan.
He was a expert at using all weapons, is capable enough to defeat 100 Hanumans, Vayudevs, and Suryas combined. I will provide authentic quotes, links and sources to unmask the truth about this character. No one has talked about the references this character got in Mahabharat.

Length of his empire:
He, O Pandu's son, was endued with a thousand arms; and by the favour of Dattatreya he likewise had a celestial car made of gold. And, O protector of the earth, his rule extended over the entire animated world, wheresoever located on this earth.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03115.htm

Power of Sahastrarjun's chariot:
And the car of that mighty monarch could proceed everywhere in an unobstructed course. And grown resistless by the virtue of a granted boon, he ever mounted on that car, trampled upon gods and Yakshas and saints on all sides round. And all the born beings wheresoever placed, were harassed by him.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03115.htm

His adversaries made an appeal to Vishnu:
Then the celestials and the saints of a rigidly virtuous life, met together, and thus spake to Vishnu, the god of gods, the slayer of demons, and possessed of prowess that never failed, saying "O blessed and revered lord, for the purpose of preserving all the born beings, it is necessary that Arjuna should be killed by thee."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03115.htm

Encounter with Indra:
And the mighty ruler of the Haihaya tribe placing himself on his celestial car, affronted Indra, while that deity was enjoying himself with Sachi, his queen.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03115.htm

Vishnu's council:
Then, O Bharata's son, the blessed and the revered god (Vishhnu) held a consultation with Indra, with a view to destroying Kartavirya's son. And on that occasion, all that was for the good of the world of beings, was communicated by the lord of gods; and the blessed god worshipped by the world, to do all that was necessary, went to the delightful Vadari wood which was his own chosen retreat for practising penances.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03115.htm

Sahastrarjun pulled down a few trees that were described to be large:
"And he wantonly pulled down the large trees of the wood."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03116.htm

Sahastrarjun had an ability to create animals:
"When gratified, I am able to create many creatures. When angry, I am able to destroy all."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13b117.htm

Sahastrarjuns exploit of world conquest began before he attained boons:
"Endued with a thousand arms and great beauty the mighty Kartavirya, in days of yore, became the lord of all the world. He had his capital in the city of Mahishmati. Of unbaffled prowess, that chief of the Haihaya race of Kshatriyas swayed the whole earth with her belt of seas, together with all her islands and all her precious mines of gold and gems. Keeping before him the duties of the Kshatriya order, as also humility and Vedic knowledge, the king made large gifts of wealth unto the Rishi Dattatreya. Indeed, the son of Kritavirya thus adored the great ascetic who, becoming pleased with him, asked him to solicit three boons."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13b117.htm

Boons that Sahastrarjun gained:
Thus requested by the Rishi in respect of boons, the king addressed him, saying, "Let me become endued with a thousand arms when I am in the midst of my troops. While, however, I remain at home let me have, as usual only two arms! Indeed, let combatants, when engaged in battle, behold me possessed of a thousand arms, observant also of high vows, let me succeed in subjugating the whole earth by dint of my prowess. Having acquired the earth righteously, let me sway her with vigilance. There is a fourth boon which, O foremost of regenerate persons, I solicit thee to grant. O faultless one, in consequence of the disposition to favour me, it behoveth thee to grant it to me. Dependent that I am on thee, whenever I may happen to go wrong, let the righteous come forth to instruct and set me right!" Thus addressed, the Brahmana replied unto the king, saying So let it be! Even thus were those boons acquired by that king of blazing effulgence.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13b117.htm

Sahastrarjun conquered the earth again and gave her to a bunch of unknown "brahmins";
"Meanwhile the mighty son of Kritavirya, Arjuna of the Kshatriya order and ruler of the Haihayas, endued with great energy, highly virtuous in behaviour, and possessed of a thousand arms through the grace of (the great Rishi) Dattatreya, having subjugated in battle, by the might of his own arms, the whole earth with her mountains and seven islands, became a very powerful emperor and (at last) gave away the earth unto the Brahmanas in a horse-sacrifice."
Commentary - his conquest resulted in the completion of a "ashwamedh" yagya.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a049.htm

Sahastrarjun is called to aid and help devas:
"On a certain occasion, solicited by the thirsty god of fire, O son of Kunti, the thousand-armed monarch of great prowess gave alms unto that deity. Springing from the point of his shafts, the god of fire, possessed of great energy, desirous of consuming (what was offered), burnt villages and towns and kingdoms and hamlets of cowherds. Through the prowess of that foremost of men, viz., Kritavirya of great energy, the god of fire burnt mountains and great forests. Assisted by the king of the Haihayas, the god of fire, caused by the wind to blaze forth with energy consumed the uninhabited but delightful retreat of the high-souled Apava. Possessed of great energy, Apava, O mighty-armed king, seeing his retreat consumed by the powerful Kshatriya, cursed that monarch."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a049.htm

Sahastrarjun (in Ashwamedh parva).
Just by using archery he annexed the whole world into his empire.
Quote; "There was a king of the name of Karttaviryya-Arjuna who was endued with a thousand arms. He conquered, with his bow, the Earth, extending to the shores of the ocean."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m14/m14029.htm
Commentary - yet namards compare him to hanutati of all people 🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣
The 4 clans that may have been his biggest supporters.
Quote "Dravidas and Abhiras and Pundras, together with the Savaras, became Vrishalas through those men who had Kshatriya duties assigned to them (in consequence of their birth), falling away (from those duties)."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m14/m14029.htm
Was an expert fisherman:
"With these mighty arrows shot by thee, those creatures which have taken shelter in me are being killed, O tiger among kings. Do thou, O lord, grant them security."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m14/m14029.htm

Commentary - he slew many creatures underwater with his arrows. It is clear Sahastrarjun fired the arrows when he was above the water (either in a flying chariot or on a riverbank, ground next to lake etc). It means he could not see any of the targets he struck because they were covered with water, this proves the accuracy of Sahastrarjun and the power of his boon as his attacks never fail to take a life or hit a person.

Different versions have been described about his battle with Parshuram.

1st description:
"Put forth his valour on the field of battle, and with sharpened arrows with flattened tips, which were shot from a beautiful bow, cut down Arjuna's arms, which numbered a thousand, and were massive like (wooden) bolts for barring the door. He, already touched by the hand of death, was overpowered by Rama, his foe."

https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03116.htm

2ndescription
"I beheld also another weapon, viz., that sharp-edged battle-axe which, in days of yore, was given unto Rama by the gratified Mahadeva for enabling him to exterminate the Kshatriyas. It was with this weapon that Rama (of Bhrigu's race) slew in dreadful battle the great Karttaviryya who was the ruler of all the world. It was with that weapon that Jamadagni's son, O Govinda, was able to exterminate the Kshatriyas for one and twenty times. Of blazing edge and exceedingly terrible, that axe was hanging on the shoulder, adorned with a snake, of Mahadeva. Indeed, it shone on Mahadeva's person like the flame of a blazing fire."
commentary; the only time Parshuram used this axe was when he fought Sahastrarjun and other Kshatriyas, he never uses it against overrated Bhishma or protagonist Ram (son of Dashrath). It leads me to believe that the reason is due to Sahastrarjun being a close combat fighter unlike the other 2 opponents of Parshuram.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13a014.htm

3rdescription.
"His father having been slain and his calf having been stolen by the Kshatriyas, he without any boast, slew Kartavirya who had never been vanquished before by foes. With his bow he slew four and sixty times ten thousand Kshatriyas already within the jaws of death. In that slaughter were included fourteen thousand Brahmana-hating Kshatriyas of the Dantakura country, all of whom he slew. Of the Haihayas, he slew a thousand with his short club, a thousand with his sword, and a thousand by hanging." [end quote]
Commentary; unknown as per this quote "how" parashuram slew Kartavirya. Because its said "haihayas were killed due to a club, some due to the sword, others by handing" and "slew kartavirya" nothing about how he was slain is mentioned.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07067.htm

4th description.
The puissant Rama, the son of Jamadagni, filled with wrath, lopped off the arms of Arjuna and brought back, O monarch, his sire's calf which was wandering within the inner enclosures of the king's palace. Then the foolish son of Arjuna, repairing together to the retreat of the high-souled Jamadagni, felled with the points of their lances, O king, the head of the Rishi from off his trunk while the celebrated Rama was out for fetching sacred fuel and grass.
Commentary; their was no contest for Parashuram, i guess the details of the exact battle are left out so unfortunately nothing suggests that a prime warrior like Sahastrarjun had even injured his slayer.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a049.htm

5th description.
"Then that king proceeded, filled with great wrath. Arrived at that retreat, he found Rama himself. With his kinsmen he began to do many acts that were hostile to Rama, and caused much trouble to that high-souled hero. Then the energy, which was immeasurable of Rama blazed forth, burning the troops of the foe, O lotus-eyed one. Taking up his battle-axe, Rama suddenly put forth his power, and hacked that thousand-armed hero, like a tree of many branches. Beholding him slain and prostrated on the earth, all his kinsmen, uniting together, and taking up their darts, rushed at Rama, who was then seated, from all sides."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m14/m14029.htm
Commentary; though its true this quote says Sahastrarjun did hostile actions to Parashuram and gave the brahmin warrior trouble its also true that the quote says "with his kinsmen he began to do" meaning that Sahastrarjun was not alone, he had the help of many people. At least 2 if not more mards were aiding him. It appears that in the begininng team Sahastrarjun was winning then Parshuram somehow gained the upperhand.

This also leads me to believe the possibility that Sahastrarjun didnt take the fight seriously because he believed his servants would do most of the work so he would not have to use his full power, ability, competence etc.

6th description:
"In olden days, Rama, the son of Jamadagni, in anger at the death of his father, slew with his battle axe the king of the Haihayas. And Rama, by cutting off the thousand arms of Arjuna (the Haihaya king), achieved a most difficult feat in the world."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01105.htm

Commentary; it is likely Bhishma is just repeating what he heard from other people as he was not alive during the time of Sahastrarjun or he was not a present eye witness to the incident, so he is just skipping over the details of their battle.

------------------------
How he killed Jamdagni.
"Adhering to a barbarous mentality Kaartaviirya Arjuna put my father to death, when the ascetically powerful father of mine has isolated himself from arsenal."
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/baala/sarga75/bala_75_frame.htm

Commentary; this could mean many things, first it might mean Jamdagni was unarmed when he died, second it might mean Sahastrarjun had Jamdagni bound or imprisoned and that he died through hanging, execution etc, maybe Sahastrarjun just told someone else to kill him, or Sahastrarjun was considered responsible for his death because he ordered a person to execute him, or maybe Sahastrarjun himself killed Jamdagni, regardless this appears to be the only time in Ramayana & Mahabharat that Parashuram talked about how his father died.

DIFFERENT REASONS FOR THE CONFLICT WITH BHARGAV'S CLAN.

As per the Gandharva in Chaitrarath Parva the conflict of Sahastrarjun and the Bhrigus (parshurams family) happened as a result of a wealth dispute. And who was the successor of the Haihay dynasty after Sahastrarjun's father died is unknown:
"There was a celebrated king of the name of Kritavirya. That bull among the kings of the earth was the disciple of the Veda-knowing Bhrigus. That king, O child, after performing the Soma sacrifice, gratified the Brahmanas with great presents of rice and wealth. After that monarch had ascended to heaven, an occasion came when his descendants were in want of wealth. And knowing that the Bhrigus were rich, those princes went unto those best of Brahmanas, in the guise of beggars. Some amongst the Bhrigus, to protect their wealth, buried it under earth; and some from fear of the Kshatriyas, began to give away their wealth unto (other) Brahmanas; while some amongst them duly gave unto the Kshatriyas whatever they wanted. It happened, however, that some Kshatriyas, in digging as they pleased at the house of particular Bhargava, came upon a large treasure. And the treasure was seen by all those bulls among Kshatriyas who had been there. Enraged at what they regarded as the deceitful behaviour of the Bhrigus, the Kshatriyas insulted the Brahmanas, though the latter asked for mercy."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01181.htm

According to Santi Parva it was Sahastrarjun's children that sowed the seed for his downfall:

son of Sahastrarjuna

"His powerful sons, always haughty and cruel, in consequence of that course, became the indirect cause of his death. The princes, O bull of Bharata's race, seize and brought away the calf of Jamadagni's homa cow, without the knowledge of Kritavirya, the ruler of the Haihayas. For this reason a dispute took place between the high-souled Jamadagni (and the Haihayas)."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a049.htm

Personality.

As per Santi Parva he was a positive king for members of the brahmin caste:
"The mighty Arjuna, however, of great prowess, always devoted to peace, ever regardful of Brahmanas and disposed to grant protection (unto all class), and charitable and brave, O Bharata, did not think of that curse denounced on him by that high-souled Rishis."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a049.htm

In "Anusasan Parv" he is boastful and seems a little negative. Claims of Sahastrarjun:
"Deity or man, there is none in the three worlds who can hurl me from the sovereignty I enjoy. Hence, I am certainly superior to the Brahmanas. This world that is now regarded as having Brahmanas for its foremost denizens shall soon be made such as to have Kshatriyas for its foremost denizens. There is none that is capable of bearing my might in battle! Hearing these words of Arjuna, the welkin-ranging goddess became agitated."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13b117.htm

Lineage; Kritavirya is the dad of Sahastrarjun. They are not the same person, they have similar names (Sahastrarjun used to be adressed as "Kartaveerya").

Why Sahastrarjun was better than Laxman.

Sahastrarjun was never defeated before his last fight (the only one he lost):
"His father having been slain and his calf having been stolen by the Kshatriyas, he without any boast, slew Kartavirya who had never been vanquished before by foes."
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07067.htm

Laxman was defeated by multiple warriors.

Kabandha, Viswavasu, Wiradh (each once).
Ravan (twice), Meghanad (twice).
Failed to stop Kumbhkarn's advance to Ram.
Could not defeat Atikay without secrets being revealed to him by a third party (Vayu).
Murdered Indrajeet unfairly by ganging up on the warrior with assistance of 33 allies.

Refuting arguments of laxman bhakts.
1 - "Sahastrarjun lost less because he did not fight as much, he did not have as active a life as Laxman"
Debunk; if you were unbiased then you would see that Mahabharat mentions multiple times that Sahastrarjun had battles with gods, yakshas, brahmins and kshatriyas many times. He was a world conqueror. Kartavirya Arjuna clearly fought more battles his record list was longer. What was Laxman? In Laxmans career he stayed back watching his brother Ram doing most of the fighting, even in aranya kanda not just yuddha kanda. Laxman alone fought Atikay, and then alone fought Meghanad. Everytime Laxman fights a warrior of credit then he either loses or he only wins due to outside help. Laxmans only solo achievement is the slaughter of Virupaksha.
2 - "Laxman is a portion of Seshnag, he lifts the world or vishnu he can not be considered inferior to anyone who is not shiva, brahma or vishnu"
Debunk; Balram was Seshnag too, he was a portion of vishnu, yet as per mahabharat he was included among the warriors that left mathura because of Jarasandh's power. Being seshnag doesnt make laxman immune to anything. Even Parashuram was beaten twice by Ram and Bhishma. Parashuram does not have a weapon that could negate Sammohan astra. But Drona, Arjun, Bhishma, Indra do have nullification weapons. So what is Laxman?
3 - "Laxman did not need boons Sahastrarjun wins only due to his boons."
Debunk; honestly this is just a desperate argument and point, because their is a quote in Mahabharat that states Sahastrarjun did a campaign and won many kingdoms as a result of it, this was before he got any boons from Dattatrey, he had no protection or assistance from a powerful elder brother, even so Sahastrarjun earned his boons through his own actions they are his power, he has every right to use them as he trained.

the only mard of aryavarth

4 - "Laxman survived impact of brahmastra and brahma-spear"
Debunk; even Vibeeshan who has zero fine weapons survived that impact, even hanuman did and the same hanuman was knocked pretty easily by Indra's vajra in one attack only, the same Indra lost when he was confronted by Sahastrarjun. Now what exactly is this point? It does not give Laxman anything impressive compared to Sahastrarjun.
5 - "Laxman was directly adressed as superior to Sahastrarjun by lord Ram"
Debunk; this point is the only good one on the list. As it not only has authenticity as per Ramayana but also is worth debating.
Here is the quote "Lakshmana, who was able to loose five hundred arrows in one shot, was surpassing kartavirya himself in the science of archery"
Here is the source material;
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga49/yuddha_49_frame.htm
Other quotes from this link that namards never talk about:
"It can be possible, if I were to look for her, to find a consort equal to Seetha in this world of mortals" [WORDS OF SREE RAM]
my commentary; people never talk about this quote cause most Ramayan enthusiasts only highlight the comparison given by Ram of Sahastrarjun and Laxman
another quote
"Woe unto me to my wicked deed and to my lack of nobility. Through my fault, Lakshmana has fallen and lies indeed on a bed of arrows as on who has yielded up his life!"
Commentary; shri Ram blamed himself for his brother dying and ignored Meghanad's actions.
My opinion on the quote; it is clearly an exaggeration as many incorrect claims were made by the characters of Ramayana.
If we still take it literally it only means Laxman can hold his own in archery against Sahastrarjun, people ignore their are other modes of warfare.
Sahastrarjun was considered to have a thousand arms, thus he could use upto 500 bows at once, the statement of a thousand arms is considered a metaphor too as a human can not have that ability.
One among the many lies of Ramayana:
"You are the knower of virtuousness and gratefulness and you do not retreat from battlegrounds, or, on your own word, thus what you have said is conclusive as well as coherent." [end quote]
http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/kish/sarga36/kishkindha_36_frame.htm
Commentary; as per Laxman this Sugreev did not retreat from Vali multiple times.

Conclusion; It is fair to not take the words of Laxman, Rama etc seriously no matter what their position and status is.
--------------------------------------
Comparing Sahastrarjun with shree Ram.

The common factor here is Indra.

Indra has Sammohan baan a weapon that results in making a enemy sleep, something that parashuram could not fight against at all.

Dashrath saw & witnessed both Indra and Ram fight, yet he thought they were equal to eachother:

"Rama is equal to Yama and Devendra in valor, to Brihaspati in wisdom and to a mountain in courage."

http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga1/ayodhya_1_frame.htm

"My eldest son Rama is equal to Devendra in valor. He is the conqueror of cities of enemies."

http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga2/ayodhya_2_frame.htm

Hes one of the kings that aided indra in his aryan invasion attempt:

"your husband Dasaratha went along with you and other holy kings to help Indra in battle, to a famous city called Vaijayata in which the demon Timidhvaja lived"

http://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/ayodhya/sarga9/ayodhya_9_frame.htm

If we bring up Uttar Kanda then..

Sahastrarjun easily defeated Ravan compared to Ram.

Ravan-Ram combat;

That great tumultuous battle, which caused one's hair to stand on end, took place in the sky, on the ground and furthermore on the mountain. While the gods, the demons, Yakshas the super-natural beings, the devils, the serpents and the ogres were witnessing, that great battle occurred for seven days. There was no respite in battle between Rama and Ravana, either in the might or in the day-time or for an hour or even for a instant.

Points; it took Ram seven days and still no weakness, lapse or upperhand against his opponent

Chapter; http://valmikiramayan.pcriot.com/utf8/yuddha/sarga107/yuddha_107_frame.htm

According to Mahabharat;

"With thy own powers of illusion, O Bharata, destroy this illusion of Duryodhana who is an adept in it! One conversant with illusion should be slain with illusion! This is the truth, O Yudhishthira!" "Similarly was the Rakshasa Ravana of Pulastya's race, with his relatives and followers, slain by Rama! Relying upon acts and contrivances, do thou also display thy powers!"

Commentary; Ram could not win fairly against Ravan.

Link; https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09031.htm

Ravan-Sahastrarjun combat;

Conclusion; logic and reasoning will tell you that this is the truth, but if you choose to remove uttar kand then Sahastrarjun's best achievement is not a factor. But he still has his encounter with Indra to brag about.

If we were to consider Uttara Kanda then Sahastrarjun is better than Ram and Ravan.

If we were to exclude Uttara Kanda then Sahastrarjun is at the very least better than laxman, hanuman, sugreev. But inferior to Ram, Ravan etc.

As a emperor its clear Sahastrarjun led conquests all across the region of Aryavarth, he is stated to have conquered "the entire earth" and completed the horse sacrificial ritual. Wherever the horse went either the citizens of that territory would pay tribute to Sahastrarjun and accept his reign or they would reject and Sahastrarjun would have to force it on them.

Sahastrarjuns answer to divine weapons, nuclear missiles, celestial astras:

These can be nullified through his magic (power to summon and create random animals) those animals would get in the way of a projectile fired at him, thus the astra that a enemy used will kill the animal infront of him but it will fail to touch and impact Sahastrarjun himself. Or his boons can prevent him from getting harmed.

One of his boons (as per van parva chapter 115) is that Sahastrarjun will become resistless (meaning no one can resist an attack from Sahastrarjun, if he attacks you with any weapon theirs no way the defender can compete). As a warrior that conquered the world multiple times he is likely to have nullifed or dealt with multiple astras that Aryan kings fired at him.

You really cant compare a noob like Laxman to a world conqueror like Sahastrarjun.