Sages & Others

Hotravahana

होत्रवाहन

The Srinjaya Royal Sage

Who was Hotravahana?

Hotravahana (होत्रवाहन): The Srinjaya Royal Sage, one of the sages and supporting figures in the Mahabharata. An old king of the Srinjayas turned ascetic, who came into the forest hermitage where Amba was being counselled and heard her story from the Brahmanas there.

Quick Facts

Key facts about Hotravahana
Sanskrit nameहोत्रवाहन
Title / EpithetThe Srinjaya Royal Sage
FactionSages & Others
Key traitsAged, Compassionate, Well-connected, Decisive
Notable relationshipsMaternal Grandfather: Princess Amba, Friend: Parashurama, Fellow counsellor: Akritavrana
Featured in1 story

About Hotravahana

An old king of the Srinjayas turned ascetic, who came into the forest hermitage where Amba was being counselled and heard her story from the Brahmanas there. He was her mother's father, and taking the emaciated girl on his lap he told her not to go home but to go to Rama of Bhrigu's line on Mahendra, his own friend, and to name him when she asked. That advice put Parashurama into the field against Bhishma.

In Their Words

Do not go back to thy father's house, daughter. Go to Mahendra, and speak my name.

Hotravahana

Traits

  • Aged
  • Compassionate
  • Well-connected
  • Decisive

Story Appearances

Character Arc

  1. The ArrivalComes to the hermitage and hears Amba's tale
  2. The LapTakes his grandchild up and comforts her
  3. The CounselNames Rama of Bhrigu as the one who can help

Key Relationships

Places in Hotravahana's Story

Drawn from the story Hotravahana appears in.

Others counted among the Sages & Others.