Chiranjivis (Sanskrit nominative sing. ciranjīvī, चिरंजीवी) are the "immortals" in Hinduism who are to remain alive throughout this Kali Yuga until the start of next Satya Yuga.
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The term is often written Chiranjeevi in English. The word is a combination of "chiram" (long) and jīvi (lived). This word is often confused with immortality ("amaratva").
In Hinduism, "immortal" does not mean eternal. Even "immortal" outer bodies are dissolved at the end of the universe, along with that of its secondary creator Brahma.[1]
At the end of one universe, i.e. at the end of one Kalpa and the beginning of another, a demon attempted to become eternal by "swallowing" the Vedas as they escaped from Brahma's mouth, but the Vedas were restored by Vishnu's avatar, Matsya. Vishnu also killed other asuras like Hiranyakasipu and Ravana who tried to become immortal by obtaining boons from Shiva.
In Hindu theology, it has been expounded in several puranas and epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana that there exist seven long lived personalities, in the Hindu pantheon. On the earth they have been considered exceptions. They existed in the past ages — Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga — and are still there in Kali Yuga. Apparently, they are intended to represent seven different natures/characteristics which will stay with mankind forever.[2]
These seven chiranjeevis are:
A mantra about the seven immortals is said to give human beings good luck and long life if recited every day:
"Ashwathaama Balir Vyaso Hanumanash cha Vibhishana Krupacharya cha Parashuramam Saptaita Chiranjeevanam"
...which means Ashwathama, Maha Bali, Vyasa, Hanuman, Vibhishana, Kripacharya and Parashurama, are the 7 long lived personalities.
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