Home > Society > Religion in India > Channa
Channa
the role of Channa was crucial in escape of young Siddhartha from the palace.

Share this Article:

Channa,  Head Charioteer of Buddha- Siddhattha crossing the Anoma river on Kanthaka; and Channa is clinging to the tail of the horseChanna was the head charioteer and royal servant of Gautama . He was instrumental in bringing the prince face to face with reality. King Suddhodana was given the responsibility of looking after the needs of the prince. At an early age it was predicted by sage Asita that Siddhartha would renounce the worldly pleasures to become an ascetic. Hence he had been pampered with all kinds of luxury to abstain him from knowing about the pain and suffering that exists in the world. The Dhammapada conveys that Channa later achieved arhanthood.

Channa controlled the chariot, which was pulled by Kanthaka, Siddhartha`s favorite horse. It was at this time that Siddhartha saw an elderly man, a sick man, a funeral and an ascetic. This event brought major changes in Siddhartha and he decided to leave the palace and lead the life of an ascetic. Channa helped the prince to get away from the palace while the guards were sleeping. He saddled Kanthaka and guided Siddhartha to the banks of river Anoma. Though he initially refused to leave the young prince but Siddhartha convinced him to return back to the kingdom. At last Channa returned with the prince`s his weapons, accessories and hair.

When Siddhartha returned to Kapilavastu, as Buddha Channa became a Buddhist monk. He also joined the Sangha. After much toil he finally became an Arhant. The legends about Channa are quite popular and are also mentioned in various Buddhist texts that depict the early life of Buddha and his transformation from a prince to an ascetic.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Religion in India


Religion in Indus Valley Civilization
Religion in Indus Valley Civilisation included Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Details about the religion in Indus Valley Civilization have been gathered from archaeological artefacts.
Shaivism Religion
Shaivism is the second largest “religious community” in modern India with its roots deeply seated in the Hindu Vedic belief.
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is among the more popular denominations of Hinduism, with its own distinctive ideas about spirituality and morality. Vaishnavism concentrates on worshipping god Vishnu and of his incarnations.
Hinduism Religion
Hinduism is more of a philosophy which is a way of living according to the understanding of the principles of Vedas and Upanishads.
Islam
Islam is a religion that beliefs in Allah as the one and only God and creator of the Universe. Islamic law or Sharia is characterised by the five pillars of Islam which comprise the essential duties of every Muslim.
Christianity
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and it is the largest religion in the world.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy that encompasses a wide variety of beliefs, practices and traditions that are chiefly based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and its later disciples.
Jainism
Jainism chronologically preceded the religion of Buddhism. It is considered as one of the oldest religions of India. Jainism in India shared with Hinduism and Buddhism. It is an integral part of South Asian religious belief and practice, but it is not a Hindu sect and not a Buddhist heresy, as earlier scholars believed.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, closely related to Judaism, Christianity and Islam was founded by Zoroaster.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a religion started by Guru Nanak in land of Punjab in 15th century A.D.
Iyer Brahmin
Iyer Brahmins are originally from Tamil Nadu of South India. The Iyers have always taken an interest in preserving the arts and sciences.
Barai Caste
Barai Caste is the professional cultivator caste of betel leaf. Tamboli and Pansari are the terms used indifferently for Barai Caste. The diversity of names of the sub-divisions of Barai Caste discloses the mixed elements that formed the caste.
Dangi Caste
Dangi Caste is largely distributed in the high land regions, and the word Dangi is said to have originated from the geographical features of their territory. Main occupation of the members of Dangi Caste is cultivation.
Nadar Caste
One of the most renowned castes of Tamil Nadu is the Nadar caste. The Nadar community is a mixture of sub-castes and classes of different origins, which came under one banner of Nadar caste gradually.
Kumbhakar Caste
Kumbhakar is the potter caste who manufactures all kinds of earthen vessels.
Gujjars in Maharashtra
Gujjars in Maharashtra have several sub-castes. Here, in this state the Gurjars are listed as a separate caste. They are included in the Maharashtra OBC list.
Awasthi Brahmin
Awasthi is a surname or a family name of a particular sub-caste of Brahmins in the Indian continent.
Bhoyar Caste
Bhoyar Caste is largely found in the Central Provinces of the country. Traditional occupation of Bhoyars is agriculture. They are good cultivators and mostly grow sugarcane.
Gujjars in Mughal Era
Gujjars in the Mughal era enjoyed great power. Further their power increased with the decline of Aurangzeb, Mughal emperor.
Origin of Vaishnavism
Origin of Vaishnavism shares its attributes to many sources and religious evolution, dating back to pre-Vedic epoch.