आभीरस्

{ ābhīras }

Puranic Encyclopaedia

ĀBHĪRAS   A few details: 1) A low-caste people. People living in the estuary of the rivers of Sindhū and Sarasvatī were generally called Ābhīras. In the [Sabhā Parva of Mahābhārata] we find Nakula defeating these people during his victory march after the great Mahābhārata battle. 2) Once Ābhīras went to Dharmaputra with many gifts. [Ślokas 11-13, Chapter 51, Sabhā Parva, M.B.] . 3) Once it was prophesied by Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, that low-caste people like Ābhīras and Śakas would become rulers of states in different parts of Bhārata during Kaliyuga. [Ślokas 35-36, Chapter 188, Vana Parva, M.B.] . 4) In the Garuḍavyūha (Battle array named after Garuḍa) which Droṇa created during the Kurukṣetra battle he included Ābhīras also. [Śloka 6, Chapter 20, Droṇa Parva, M.B.] . 5) Because of the hatred of Śūdras and Ābhīras a sacred lake named Vināśana disappeared from the river, Sarasvatī. [Ślokas 1 and 2, Chapter 37, Śalya Parva, M.B.] . 6) Ābhīras were Kṣatriyas formerly. Afraid of Paraśurāma they fled and lived in mountain-caves not continuing their hereditary work and thus became Śūdras. [Śloka 16, Chapter 29, Aśvamedhika Parva, M.B.] . 7) When Dvārakā was destroyed by floods and all the Yādavas were killed Arjuna went north taking along with him the wives of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. At that time Ābhīras were among those who attacked and carried away the women. [Ślokas 47-63, Chapter 7, Mausalya Parva, M.B.] .