Sindhudvīpa

Sindhudvīpa was a king. The Mahābhārata names him among the great rājarshis (kings who were also ṛshis). Through tapas (austerity) and through dāna (giving) that was justly earned and truthfully given, he attained parama-siddhi (the highest perfection).

In the teaching on hiṃsā and dharma

The Aśvamedhika Parva tells how Vasu of Cedi fell to Rasātala. He fell because he wrongly approved paśu-hiṃsā (the killing of animals) in a yajña (fire ritual). In this account, Vaiśampāyana names Sindhudvīpa among the line of ancient rājarshis and munis who are remembered for reaching parama-siddhi through tapas and through dāna that was justly earned and given in truth.

Sindhudvīpa is named together with Viśvāmitra, Asita, Janaka Mahārāja, Kakshasena and Ārshisheṇa. They stand as examples of one principle. A person who lives by tapas within the fire of dāna-dharma (the duty of giving) is purified and reaches svarga (heaven). This is true whether the person is a brāhmaṇa, a kshatriya, a vaiśya or a śūdra.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Aśvamedhika Parva, Chapter 91