Sūratha, son of Jayadratha

Sūratha was a son of Jayadratha, king of the Saindhavas, and of Duśśalā, the daughter of Dhṛtarāshṭra. He is named in the Aśvamedhika Parva of the Mahābhārata as the father of an infant boy whose life was saved by Duśśalā’s plea.

When the Pāṇḍavas’ Aśvamedha horse passed through Sindhu under Arjuna’s guard, the Saindhava princes rose against him to avenge the death of Jayadratha. Duśśalā came onto the field herself, carrying Sūratha’s infant son, who was her own grandson. She begged Arjuna for peace. Arjuna was moved to pity. He spared the child and all the worn-out Saindhava warriors. Sūratha himself is not shown on the field.

This Sūratha is a different person from King Sūratha of the Devī Māhātmya in the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, who becomes Sāvarṇi Manu. The two share only a name.

Family and the Aśvamedha episode

Sūratha was a son of Jayadratha, the Saindhava king whom Arjuna slew at Kurukshetra. His mother was Duśśalā, the only daughter of Dhṛtarāshṭra and Gāndhārī.

During the digvijaya (the horse’s journey of conquest), the Saindhava princes, who were Jayadratha’s kinsmen, faced Arjuna and were overcome in battle. Duśśalā then came onto the field with Sūratha’s infant son. She asked for mercy for the child and for the surviving warriors. She said to Arjuna: “This is your nephew’s son — a mere child… this grandson of mine.”

Arjuna remembered Gāndhārī and Dhṛtarāshṭra. He put down his weapon and gave safety to the child and peace to the Saindhavas. (Mahābhārata, Aśvamedhika Parva, Chapter 78)

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Aśvamedhika Parva, Chapter 78