1. Chiranjeevi:(8) Immortal(s) in Hindu Mythology
Chiranjeevins are the eight long-lived persons in Hinduism. The word is a
combination of "chiram" (long) and jeevi (lived). This word is often confused with
immortality ("amaratva").
1. Ashwathama, was a man cursed to immortality and eternal suffering without
love from anybody for his role in the murder of the five sons of the Pandavas and
his attempted murder of Arjuna's grandson. Ashwathama was Pandava's teacher
and Dronacharya's Son. He was cursed by the god to remain deserted as he killed
five sons of pandavas.
2. Mahabali, a righteous demon King (Bali), whose pride was curbed by lord
Vishnu lives in Patala. He was blessed and sent there by Visnhu's incarnation of
Vamana. He conquered heaven, earth, and the underworld, but was forced to give
it back by Vamana.
3. Vyasa, a sage who narrated the Mahabharata, he was also a sage in the epic. He
was blessed by Lord Vishnu and Ganesha and was the ‘Maharshi’ who parted the
Vedas. He is called as Rishi VEDVYAS.
4. Hanuman, who served Lord Rama in Ramanyan. Hanuman, the son of pavana, is
Immortal by his own desire, till the name of Lord Ram exists and was blessed by
devi Sita.
5. Vibhishana, Ravana's brother who was made King of Lanka and blessed by lord
Ram.
6. Kripacharya, a teacher of the princes in the Mahabharata. Kripacharya was
Ashwatthama's maternal uncle and Dronacharya's brother in law. He was blessed
by Shri Krishna in Mahabharat to remain immortal.
7. Parashurama, was the son of Rishi Jamadagni and 6th incarnation (Avatar) of
lord Vishnu.
8. Markandeya, a great Sage (Rishi). Lord shiva gave him his own 12 years of life.
2. There are several other personages known as chiranjeevins,
like Jambavantha (Jambavan). However, in Hinduism, "immortal" does not
mean eternal. Even immortal things are dissolved at the end of the universe,
including its secondary creator Brahma. The only eternals are Vishnu and Shiva of
the Trimurti, i.e. manifestations of Brahman (the Supreme
Reality), Sheshanaga (the Eternal Serpent), and the fourVedas.