Parikshita is in the Mahabharata epic the successor of Yudhisthira to the throne of Hastinapura.

Alternate spellings of his name are Pariksita, Pariksit and Parikshit. His name is a common Hindu name across India today.

Birth

Parikshita is the son of Uttara, the Matsya princess and Abhimanyu, the Vrishni son of Arjuna. He is born only after the end of the war.

Uttara is carrying their son in her womb when Abhimanyu is mercilessly and unfairly slain by the Kauravas. Later, Ashwathama attempts to kill the unborn child and his mother by directing the brahmastra towards her tent off the battlefields. She is saved by Lord Krishna.

Prophecy of Life

The chief priest Dhaumya predicts to king Yudhisthira after Parikshita's birth that he will be a great devotee of the Supreme Lord Vishnu, and since he was saved by the Lord Krishna, he will be known as Vishnurata (One who is always protected by the Lord).

Dhaumya Rishi predicts that Parikshita would be

He is given the name Parikshita as he would search and test for the Supreme Lord, whom he had witnessed as an unborn child, across the world and within every human being.

King of Hastinapura

Upon the commencement of the Kali yuga, the dark age of sin, and the departure of Krishna Avatara from the world, the five Pandava brothers retire. Young Parikshita is duly invested as king, with Kripa as his counselor.

See also

• Mahabharata
• Hindu mythology