Sadnova

In the ancient history of India, Sadnova is mentioned as the youngest son of the Raja of Chitapur.

There is a mythical story relating Sadnova. The Raja, father of Sadnova gathered his army and prepared to march out against Arjuna. Raja ordered that a large cauldron of boiling oil should be made ready. As whoever failed to march out with him should be thrown in the boiling oil.

The youngest son of the Raja, Sadnova was following his father to the battlefield. Before leaving the palace he went to the inner apartments to take leave of his mother. He kissed the ground before her and said that he was going out to fight with Arjuna. His mother said to him that if Sadnova is killed in the battlefield then it will be well but if he runs away from the battlefield then he is coward. If Sadnova does so then his mother shall be ridiculed by the people.

Sadnova took his leave and as he went out he met his sister. His sister put a garland of flowers round his neck and bade him to be brave and courageous like a man in the battlefield. If Sadnova does not show his valiance then her husband would admonish her.

When Sadnova left his sister, his young wife came up to him and said that she feared that her husband would be killed in the battlefield. She also said that after Sadnova`s death, he would marry another woman in Swarga or heaven. She further stated that if Sadnova dies then she will burn herself with his dead body, and get united with him eternally.

Sadnova comforted her by saying that she need not TO worry. In reply she said him that she will wait for him until he returns from the combat. She desired that he would embrace her before he went and Sadnova did accordingly.

In the meantime Raja had gone forth and when he heard that his son, Sadnova had delayed to join him then he was in great anger. The consulted with the Brahmans as what he should do. The counselors advised the king to keep his words that if he fails to keep his words then his soul will be sent to Naraka.

Thus the Rajas ordered his son be thrown into the cauldron of boiling oil. Sadnova dedicated all his thoughts in praying to God. When Sadnova was cast into the cauldron, the boiling oil ceased to bubble up and became immediately cold.

The persons standing there were astonished and cried in joy. Sadnova arose out of the cauldron and went out with the army to fight against Arjuna. In the combat zone Sadnova showed his courageousness but was defeated and was slain along with his fellowmen.

Sadnova was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil for delaying to join his father in an expedition against Arjuna. Sadnova prayed to God, and the oil became quite cold. Sadnova came out unhurt and went with the army to fight against Arjuna, but he and all his brethren were slain.

Then the Raja restored a horse and accompanied the army of Arjuna. After this the horse had a fourth adventure and entered into a pond and was changed into a mare. Then again entering another pond he was changed into a lion and attacked Arjuna. Then Arjuna fearful, prayed to God and the lion was changed to horse.