Kesidhwaja

Kesidhwaja is the great son of Kritadhwaja. He had a cousin named Khandikya, who was renowned for religious rites. Both the cousins Kesidhwaja and Khandikya were hostile to each other and are related in the Puranas.

According to the legend Kesidhwaja and Khandikya were against each other. Kesidhwaja, a king endowed with spiritual knowledge, had debarred his cousin Khandikya from his own kingdom. Khandikya was an expert in effectual religious rites. Khandikya was the ruler of a small kingdom from where he was dethroned and sent to forest.

After driving off his brother, Kesidhwaja found that he needed the help of Khandikya. A cow was killed in the hands of Kesidhwaja and in those days it was supposed to be a sin. Khandikya was the person who could teach him the religious rite for purging himself from this felony.

Kesidhwaja found out his cousin Khandikya and sought for his help. The counselors of Khandikya advised him to kill Kesidhwaja and take his revenge. To this Khandikya replied that by killing his brother he would become the monarch of the whole world. But he will not commit a crime by killing Kesidhwaja, else listen to what his cousin want to known from him.

After listening to what Kesidhwaja wanted to known, Khandikya helped him to learn the religious rites. Kesidhwaja was able to perform an adequate rite of penance. Kesidhwaja thanked his brother Khandikya and offered him the dakshina or gift according to the choice of Khandikya. Khandikya asked for spiritual wisdom which Kesidhwaja freely offered.

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