Kuruksetra death count

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna Sumit,

 

> Is it true that the population of the warriors during

> Mahabharat war was greater than today's world population? Do we have

> any data to prove this?

 

>From Srila Prabhupada's lecture SB 1.8.46 - Los Angeles, May 8, 1973:

 

Prabhup€da: So Mah€r€ja Yudhi˜hira was very much aggrieved. He was

thinking, VaiŠava, that “I am a petty king, and for giving me the

throne, so many people have been killed.” That is the greatest war

within the recollection of five thousand years, Kuruketra, battle of

Kuruketra. What is this figures? Six million, four hundred thousand

people died in that battle. What is the statistics of the last war?

How many people died? Is there any statistics?

Devotee: Two million.

Prabhup€da: Two million. And here it is six million.

Devotee: 640,000,000.

Prabhup€da: Eh? Last war?

Devotee: No, Kuruketra, 640,000,000.

Prabhup€da: Oh. Six hundred forty?

Devotee: Bhagavad-g…t€, 640,000,000.

 

1. This number (640,000,000) is not found in the BG but in SB 1.8.46

purport and comes supposedly from Mahabharata Adi Parva (20) - it

should be Udyoga Parva 20.

2. I heard it is a misprint. Prabhupada was surprised and mentioned

6,400,000 which is more probable.

3. Traditionally, according to Mbh and SB, there were 18 aksauhinis

involved (astadasaksauhiniko, SB 3.3.14) and one aksauhini is 21,870

chariots, 21,870 elephants, 109,350 infantry and 65,610 cavalry (SB

1.8.48 purp. says 109,650 infantry and 65,600 cavalry but the previous

numbers are found in SB 1.16.34 note, 9.15.30 purp. which is a quote

from Mbh Adi and again in SB 10.50.4 word by word). This makes

together 3,936,600 soldiers (without chariot and elephant drivers and

others). So 6,400,000 could be the right number if everyone is

counted. You may do more research on the net and let me know.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Your servant, bh. Jan

 

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