Among the endless stars of Sanatan Dharma’s universe, two epics burn the brightest, Ramayana and Mahabharata.
At first, Ramayana and Mahabharata may seem like two very different stories from two different ages. Ramayana from the Treta Yuga and Mahabharata from the Dwapara Yuga. But what if time in these epics isn’t as simple as it looks?
What if some characters, sages, warriors and even divine beings lived through both ages? What if they were part of both stories? Is it just a coincidence? A rebirth? Or something planned by the divine? Today, we’ll explore 7 such timeless beings who were part of both Ramayana and Mahabharata. They connect these two great epics like hidden threads – linking events, eras, and destinies.
Let’s travel back to where it all began with Vedic Stories.
1. Jambavant – The Timeless Bear Warrior
Jambvant is believed to have been one of the first beings created by Brahma. He was born during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), making him one of the oldest beings in the epics.
In the Ramayana, he is a wise and loyal warrior in Shree Ram’s army. He helps Hanuman realize his power and plays an important role in finding the Sanjeevani Booti to save Lakshman.
Fast forward to the Mahabharata, Jambavant appears again. When Shree Krishna is accused of stealing the Syamantaka jewel, he finds it in Jambavant’s cave. A 27 day long fierce battle follows between Krishna and the elder bear warrior. In the end, Jambavant realizes Lord Krishna is an avatar of Vishnu. He offers him the jewel and his daughter, Jambavati, in marriage. Jamvant was blessed to live till the end of the Kalpa, that means he’s still alive.
Read More About Jambavan here – Jambavan Story: Satyug to Kaliyug Mystery Explained
2. Hanuman – The Everlasting Devotee
Lord Hanuman is one of the most loved characters in the Ramayana, who needs no introduction. His strength, wisdom, and deep devotion to Lord Ram are well known.
But did you know Hanuman also appears in the Mahabharata?
Yes, Hanuman meets Bhima, his spiritual brother, as both are sons of Vayu (the Wind God). In the forest during pandavas exile, Bhima encounters a monkey blocking his path. Confident in his strength, Bhima tries to move the monkey’s tail but fails. That monkey was none other than Hanuman himself, who appears to teach Bhima a lesson in humility.
Later, at Krishna’s request, Hanuman sits within the flag on Arjuna’s chariot, giving strength and protection to pandavas. Hanuman’s presence in both yugas is not just symbolic, he is a living bridge of devotion between Rama and Krishna.
3. Vibhishana – The King of Lanka
Vibhishana, the brother of Ravana, chose dharma over blood ties and joined Lord Rama in the battle against Lanka. After Ravana’s defeat, he was crowned king of Lanka. But his story doesn’t end there.
Vibhishana was believed to be blessed with a long life, living from the Treta Yuga into the Dwapara Yuga. Some stories say he was still ruling Lanka during Lord Krishna’s time and even met him. He also took part in Yudhisthira’s Rajasuya Yagna, where he met the Pandavas, especially Sahadeva and contributed gifts to their treasury.
His continued reign symbolizes the reward of righteousness and the timeless strength of choosing dharma, even when it means standing alone.
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4. Parashurama – The Warrior Sage of All Yugas
Parashurama, an immortal avatar of Vishnu, who never fully left the world.
In the Ramayana, he appears at Sita’s swayamvara. When Ram broke Shiva’s divine bow – Pinaka. Parashurama arrives in anger but soon sees Ram’s divinity and blesses him. In Mahabharata, Parashurama plays a crucial role again, this time as a teacher. He trains great warriors like Bhishma and Karna in powerful weapons.
He is one of the Chiranjivi (immortal), who has lived through many yugas and is destined to reappear again during the end of Kali Yuga.
5. Rishi Durvasa – The Sage with a Terrible Temper
Durvasa Muni, known for his quick temper and great powers, appears in both the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
In the Ramayana, Durvasa Muni came to Ayodhya to meet Lord Rama. He said that if he couldn’t meet Rama, he would curse the kingdom. To fulfill his duty, Lakshmana interrupted an important meeting between Rama and Yamraj so that Durvasa could meet him. Because of this, Lakshmana was sent into exile and later died.
Years later, in the Mahabharata, Durvasa gave Kunti a special mantra to call upon gods and have children. This helped her give birth to Karna and the Pandavas
During the Pandavas’ exile, Durvasa once visited them unexpectedly with hundreds of disciples. When Draupadi was unable to feed them, she prayed to Krishna. Krishna ate a single grain left in the Akshaya Patra, and miraculously, Durvasa and his disciples felt fully satisfied and left peacefully, without causing any curse.
6. Mayasura – The Architect of Realms
Mayasura, the demon architect, is another fascinating link between the two epics. In Ramayana, he is the father of Mandodari, Ravana’s queen. Though he was from the asura clan, he was a skilled divine craftsman.
In Mahabharata, Mayasura survived the burning of the Khandava forest. Grateful to Arjuna and Krishna for sparing his life, he built the grand Maya Sabha palace for the Pandavas in Indraprastha.
This palace had many illusions that tricked Duryodhana and led to the Kurukshetra war.
7. Rishi Bharadwaja – The Seer of Generations
Rishi Bharadwaja is an important sage in both epics.
In the Ramayana, he welcomes Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana during their exile and gives them advice. His ashram by the Ganga is a calm and peaceful place for rest.
In the Mahabharata, his son Dronacharya becomes the teacher of the Kauravas and Pandavas. Rishi Bharadwaja’s role in both stories shows the lasting importance of knowledge, guidance, and dharma across time.
Watch this story come alive in our YouTube video click here to watch now.
8. Many More Beyond Time
These seven characters are just a glimpse into the interconnectedness of Ramayana and Mahabharata. They remind us that in the realm of divine time (Yuga Dharma), some beings are born not just to fulfill one destiny, but to echo through generations.
Other characters known to appear in both epics include –
- Kakabhushundi, the crow sage who is said to have witnessed both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata multiple times through time travel.
- Narada Muni, the divine sage, moves freely across realms and ages, offering wisdom and playing a key role in many events.
- Shiva and Vishnu, through their various avatars, symbols, and stories, form the spiritual core of both epics.
- Indra, Surya, and Vayu, the Vedic gods, appear in both eras as celestial fathers of key heroes.
- Kashyapa Rishi, the great sage, is seen as the ancestor of many divine and demonic beings whose stories span across both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Conclusion
The threads of destiny are woven in ways that challenge our understanding of time, space, and life. In these timeless characters, we see that dharma continues, heroes return, and stories never truly end, they transform.
Till then, keep reading Vedic Stories.
