Daruka

Quick Facts

About Daruka

The driver of Krishna's own car, keeper of the four horses Saivya, Sugriva, Meghapushpa and Valahaka. Woken at midnight before the day of Arjuna's vow, he was told that if the vow looked like failing his master would take up the discus himself, and was ordered to have the Garuda-bannered chariot ready at the sound of the Panchajanya. At the end he stood by Krishna in the ruin at Prabhasa and carried the news of the Yadava slaughter to the Kurus.

In Their Words

Let the horses be yoked. The man you drive has already won.

Daruka

Traits

• Steady
• Trusted
• Swift
• Devoted

Story Appearances

• What Krishna Told His CharioteerThe charioteer given the midnight order❧ 17 min
• Balarama Returns to the SeaLast attendant at the Yadava end❧ 16 min
• The Iron MacesMessenger sent to Arjuna❧ 20 min

Stories Featuring Daruka

15 further tales on this site name Daruka, in canonical reading order.

• Krishna Takes Leave of IndraprasthaThe farewell on the road to Dwaraka, and the promise to returnSabha Parva ‧ 11 min
• The Meal He Chose to EatA king's banquet refused, a servant's supper acceptedUdyoga Parva ‧ 17 min
• The Order Yudhishthira GaveA king overrules the guard his brother postedDrona Parva ‧ 20 min
• The Grandson of Shini Crosses the OceanOne chariot sent through the whole Kaurava hostDrona Parva ‧ 21 min
• The Arrows He Did Not Want to ShootArjuna, Kripa, and a lesson in arms turned back on its teacherDrona Parva ‧ 16 min
• Portents Before the Fourteenth DayThe night the sky and the rivers answered Arjuna's vow, and the morning ritual of a kingDrona Parva ‧ 21 min
• Arjuna Rides Out for KarnaThe car is yoked again, the omen birds go on ahead, and the field between Arjuna and Karna breaks into duelsKarna Parva ‧ 23 min
• The Errand Before the GriefKrishna drives to Hastinapura to reach a mother before her curse doesShalya Parva ‧ 16 min
• The Plunder of the Kaurava CampThe victors ride into Duryodhana's empty tents, and Arjuna's chariot turns to ashShalya Parva ‧ 14 min
• Uttanka's CloudsThe Sage Who Nearly Cursed GodAshvamedhika Parva
• Arjuna's Hymn at PartingOn the road to Hastinapur, Arjuna praises Krishna and gives him leave to go homeAshvamedhika Parva ‧ 16 min
• The Omens of DwarakaA City Watches Its Own Death ApproachMausala Parva ‧ 17 min
• The Death of VasudevaKrishna's Father Outlives EveryoneMausala Parva ‧ 16 min
• Arjuna Empties DwarakaOne bowman escorts a dead city inland, and the sea walks behind himMausala Parva ‧ 18 min
• Uddhava Takes His LeaveThe one Yadava who left Prabhasa before the grass turned to ironMausala Parva ‧ 12 min

Character Arc

1. 1The Night OrderTold to arm the car in case the vow fails
2. 2The AnswerTells Krishna that whom he drives cannot lose
3. 3The ErrandRides to Hastinapura with news of the Vrishni ruin

Key Relationships

• Charioteer to➝Krishna
• Messenger to➝Arjuna
• Companion at the end➝Vabhru

Places in Daruka's Story

Drawn from the stories Daruka appears in.

• Dwarakaद्वारका
• Pandava Campपाण्डव शिविर
• Kurukshetraकुरुक्षेत्र
• Hastinapurहस्तिनापुर
• Kambojaकम्बोज
• Magadhaमगध
• Prabhasaप्रभास
• The Oceanसमुद्र
• Nagalokaनागलोक
• Indraprasthaइंद्रप्रस्थ
• Takshashilaतक्षशिला
• Mathuraमथुरा

Related Characters

Others counted among the Pandavas.

• ❈Yudhishthira
• ⛏︎Bhima
• ◎Arjuna
• ✧Nakula
• ❧Sahadeva
• ✶Draupadi