Pratardana is otherwise called as Dyuman, Shatrujit, Vatsa, Rithadhvaja and Kuvalayashva. He was a contemporary of Lord Rama and was a best friend of Rama. He was the son of King Divodasa of Kashi who was the younger brother of Queen Sumitra and was a brother-in-law of Dasharatha. He was the great-grandson of Dhanvantari who composed Ayurveda Sastra and also the nephew of Queen Sumitra. Once, during Lord Rama's reign Sage Narada visited him. He took the promise that he must not give obeisance to Sage Vishwamitra. He acted in the court of Rama as Narada said. Sage Vishwamitra became angry. He ordered to kill King Pratardana. King Pratardana ran to seek refuge at the feet of Lord Hanuman to protect from Rama's arrows. Hanuman promised to do so as he asked. This caused a war between Hanuman and Rama. When the war began, king Pratardana hid himself behind Hauman. He saw Sage Vishwamitra passing through the river Sarayu. Hanuman summoned King Pratardana to ask forgiveness to Vishwamitra. Pratardana apologized for his mistake to Sage Vishwamitra. Sage Vishwamitra forgave and gave blessings. Thus, he attained salvation.
References
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose, Bharata Press, Calcutta (1883–1896)
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