Chiranjivi

In Hindu scriptures, a chiranjivi () is an immortal being fated to remain alive on Earth until the end of the current epoch, the Kali Yuga.

Several such figures are traditionally enumerated, collectively referred to as the Chiranjivi.

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Etymology and scriptural context The Sanskrit nominal stem चिरञ्जीविन् () is a compound composed of the adjective चिर]] ()—here in its adverbial form चिरम् () —and the noun जीविन्]] () , itself derived from the verbal root √जीव्]] () . The specific form चिरञ्जीवी () is the masculine nominative singular of this stem.

While the term cirañjīvin denotes profound longevity, often extending for an entire kalpa (aeon), it is distinct from amaratva, which signifies absolute immortality. The distinction is illustrated in mythological narratives: at the end of the last manvantara (age of Manu), the asura Hayagriva attempted to attain immortality by swallowing the Vedas as they escaped from the mouth of Brahmā, but the scriptures were retrieved by Viṣṇu in his Matsya incarnation. Likewise, other Avatar of Viṣṇu—Narasiṃha and Rāma—slew Hiranyakashipu and Rāvaṇa, respectively, both of whom had sought immortality through devotion to Brahmā and Śiva. In this context, "immortal" can signify not absolute eternity but rather survival until the cosmic dissolution, when all embodied beings, including Brahmā himself, are destined to lose their material form with the Pralaya. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 3.32.8–10

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List The extant Purāṇas, the Rāmāyaṇa, and the Mahābhārata generally describe seven immortal personalities in the Hindu pantheon.

Nanditha Krishna (2014). 9788184751826, Penguin UK. . ISBN 9788184751826

Some scholars opine the count to be eight. Each chiranjivi embodies a distinct attribute of humankind; that attribute persists among humankind for as long as the chiranjivi lives.Malayalam book Bharata Paryatanam (A journey through the Mahabharata) by Kuttikrishana Marar.

+ ! Name ! Description
Ashvatthama	The son of Drona. Droṇa performed many years of severe penance to please Shiva to obtain a son who possessed the same valour as the deity. He is regarded to be an avatar of one of the eleven Rudras. He was cursed to be immortal by Krishna for the attempted murder of Parikshit, suffering from incurable painful sores and ulcers. Devdutt Pattanaik (2003). 9780892818709, Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. . ISBN 9780892818709
Mahabali	The king of the asuras, he was regarded to be a benevolent ruler. He overran the Trailokya and overthrew Indra. He was exiled to the realm of Patala, the netherworld, by Vamana, an avatar of Viṣṇu, to restore cosmic order, Tracy Pintchman (2005). 9780791482568, State University of New York Press. . ISBN 9780791482568 and was blessed with immortality by the deity.
Vyāsa	The sage and author of the Mahābhārata. He represents erudition and wisdom. He is the son of sage Parashara and Satyavati, a fisherwoman. J. P. Mittal (2025). 9788126906161, Atlantic Publishers & Dist. . ISBN 9788126906161 He was born towards the end of the Dvapara Yuga]].
Hanumān	A great vanara]] devotee of Rāma. Philip Lutgendorf (2007). 9780198042204, Oxford University Press. . ISBN 9780198042204 A Brahmacharya]], he stands for selflessness, courage, devotion, intelligence, strength, and righteous conduct.
Vibhishana	A brother of Rāvaṇa. A Rakshasa]], Vibhīṣaṇa defected to Rāma's side before the Laṅka War owing to his devotion to dharma. He was later crowned the King of Lanka after Rāvaṇa's death. He stands for righteousness.
Kripa	The royal guru of the princes in the Mahābhārata. Along with his nephew Aśvatthāmā, he was among the lone survivors of the Kaurava warriors who fought in the Kurukshetra War. Ramesh Menon (2006). 9780595401888, iUniverse. . ISBN 9780595401888
Parashurama	The sixth avatar of Viṣṇu. He is knowledgeable in the use of all the divine weapons (astra) and the treatises (śāstra). The Kalki Purana states that he will reemerge at the end of time to be the martial guru of Kalki. He is stated to instruct the final avatar to undertake penance to receive celestial weaponry, required to save mankind during the end times. Wendell G. Johnson (2017). 9781440839412, Bloomsbury Publishing USA. . ISBN 9781440839412

Other individuals who are sometimes additionally included to the list are the following:

Roshen Dalal (2014). 9788184752779, Penguin UK. . ISBN 9788184752779

+ ! Name ! Description
Markandeya	A sage and the author of the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa. Fated to be an exemplary child who would die at the age of sixteen, his devotion to Śiva rescued him from an early death from Yama, the god of death. The deity blessed him with immortality for his ardent faith. Eva Rudy Jansen (1993). 9789074597074, Binkey Kok Publications. . ISBN 9789074597074
Kakabhushundi	A devotee of Rāma, he narrates the story of the Rāmāyaṇa to Garuda in the form of a crow. Tulsidas (2024). 9780674295667, Harvard University Press. . ISBN 9780674295667
Jambavan	The king of the bears. He was born from the yawn of Brahmā and was already six manvantaras old during the period of the Rāmāyaṇa. He assisted Rāma in his quest to rescue his wife in the epic. Vettam Mani (2015). 9788120805972, Motilal Banarsidass. . ISBN 9788120805972
Agastya	A great sage. He is the composer of many hymns in the Ṛgveda and is regarded the father of Siddha medicine. Marion Zimmermann (2007). 9783638771269, GRIN Verlag. . ISBN 9783638771269
Narada	A mind-born son of Brahmā and sage-divinity. He travels to different worlds and delivers tidings carrying his veena]]. Amaresh Datta (1987). 9788126018031, Sahitya Akademi. . ISBN 9788126018031

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Chiranjivi Shloka The Chiranjivi Shloka () is a hymn that names the Chiranjivi and states the effects of their meditation: The mantra states that the remembrance of the eight immortals (Aśvatthāmā, Mahābali, Vyāsa, Hanumān, Vibhīṣaṇa, Kṛpa, Paraśurāma, and Mārkaṇḍeya) offers one freedom from ailments and longevity.

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