The Suryavansh and Chandravansh

Suryavansh

The Solar Dynasty

The history of Suryavansh begins with Vaivasvat Manu the son of Vivasvan Surya. Surya had two wives Sangya and Chhaya. Manu also called Satyavrat was born to Sangya and was the eldest son of the family. This Solar Dynasty produced a number of illustrious and brave kings.

Lineage of Vaivasvat Manu Vaivasvat Manu had worshipped Lord Hari, for the purpose of obtaining illustrious offspring, and he got ten sons of whom the eldest was named Ikshvaku. Ikshvaku had one hundred sons - Vikukshi, Nimi and Dandak were the eldest three of them. Once, Ikshvaku sent his eldest son Vikukshi to collect tubers for the offerings to be made to their ancestors. Vikukshi collected sacred Shash tubers. But, he himself was feeling tired and hungry, so he ate one of them. He gave the remaining tubers to his father. King Ikshvaku gave those tubers to Guru Vasishth for offering to the ancestors. Vasishth informed the king that the tubers were defiled and not fit for offerings. Thus told by Vashishth, Ikshvaku learned the deed of his son and expelled him out of his kingdom in anger. Vikukshi passed his life in exile and returned home only after the death of his father. He became famous as Shashad. Puranjay was the son of Vikukshi. A fierce battle had taken place between the gods and the demons. In the battle, the gods had sought the help from Puranjay. But Puranjay stipulated that he would fight only when Indra agreed to become his vehicle. Indra took the guise of a big and heavy ox and bore Puranjay on his back. Since, Puranjay had taken seat near ox’s hump, he came to be known as Kakutsth and Indravah. He fought a fierce battle with the demons, and defeated them. In the lineage of Puranjay, were born Aneyna - Prithu - Vishtrabhva -Chandrayuvanashva - Shavasta - Vrihadashva - Kuvalyashva - Dridashva -Tandrashva – Kapilashva -Yuvnashva. Yuvanashva had no son, so in desperation he gave up his kingdom and, accompanied by his queens, came to stay in the forest. There he organized a grand Yagya, Indrayag with a desire of a son and in the auspices of the great sages.  But during the Yagya, Yuvnashva felt extremely thirsty and without giving a thought, he drank some of the water from the urn that had been sanctified with mantras. Since, the water was meant to produce a child, Yuvnashva begot a child with auspicious signs. Immediately after birth the child began to cry for milk. So to quiten him Indra himself put his index finger in the child’s mouth, and since then, the child got the name Maandhata. Maandhata became a great emperor. He was also known as Trasdasyu because big robbers like Ravan had an inherent fear of him. He married Bindumati, the daughter of Shatabindu. They had three sons- Purukutsa, Ambarish (second) and Muchkund. They also had fifty daughters also all of whom married sage Saurabhi. At that time, a Gandharv tribe of collective name Mauneya had defeated the Nags and snatched all their wealth and powers. The Nags prayed to Lord Vishnu to rescue them. Lord Vishnu told them that he would appear in Mandhata’s son Purukutsa and get them justice. Purukutsa was married to Narmada, who took him to Rasaatal where Lord Vishnu appeared in his body. Thus having the strength of Lord Vishnu, Purukutsa defeated and killed the Gandharvs. Pleased by the action of Narmada, the Nags blessed her with a boon that whoever remembered her would have no fear of snake venom, and Purukutsa that he would have an immortal son. Purukutsa and Narmada had a son Trasdasyu. Lineage of Trasdasyu continued as follows- Anaranya- Vrihadashva- Haryashva- Hasta- Suman- Tridhanva- Trayaruni and Satyavrat. Satyavrat became famous as Trishanku in later course due to his desire to attain heaven without dying. His son Harishchandra became famous in the three worlds for his adherence to the principles of truth. He was severely tested by Vishwamitra but still never wavered from tha path of truth. His lineage grew as follows- Rohitashva- Harit- Chanchu- Vijay and Vasudev. Vijay had a son Ruruk. Ruruk’s son was Vrik who had a son Baahu. Baahu had two queens, but it was only after a long time of their marriage, that Baahu’s elder queen conceived a son. Baahu’s enemies together attacked his kingdom and defeated him. The king could not suffer the ignominy of his defeat and died. After sometime, the second queen, getting envious of the other queen’s pregnancy, fed her with poison. But the poison could not harm the foetus, which stayed unborn for a period of seven years because of the poison’s effect! Staying at the hermitage of sage Aurv, the elder queen gave birth to a son. Since the child was born with the effect of the poison, sage Aurv named him Saagar. One day, Saagar asked his mother about his father. The queen narrated the whole incident to him. Sagar then and there took an oath to exterminate the Kshatriyas who had been the cause of his father’s death. Acting as per his oath, Sagar destroyed Haihaya Kshatriyas whereas Shak Kshatriyas got their heads shaven out of fear. Since those Kshatriyas had started following barbaric and heinous practices, Brahmins boycotted them. As a result they became Malechhas. King Sagar had two queens, Sumati, the daughter of Kashyap; and Keshini, the daughter of Vidarbha’s king. Keshini had a son Asmanjas whereas Sumati had sixty thousand sons. Now Saagar had resolved to organize one hundred Ashvmamedh Yagyas after his victory. His ninety-nine Yagyas completed without hassles, but during the hundredth Yagya, Indra stole the horse and tethered it in the hermitage of the sage Kapil. Sagar’s sixty thousand sons saw that the Yagya horse was tethered in Kapil’s hermitage, tand began to abuse the sage. The sage opened his eyes, and instantaneously, all but four of the princes were incinerated by the power of his meditation! The four sons who were saved were named Varhiketu, Suketu, Dharmaketu and Panchajana. It was Anshuman, the son of Asmanjas, who pacified sage Kapil and brought back the horse. Kapil told Anshuman that the salvation of his ancestors would be possible only if their ashes were touched by Gangaji. Since then, all the kings in Sagar’s lineage observed severe penance to bring the Ganges on earth for the salvation of their ancestors. Anshuman’s son Dileep observed severe penance, but his efforts like that of his father, could not succeed. Then, Bhagirath, the son of Dileep, started penance and finally succeeded in requesting the sacred river Ganga to arrive on earth. The holy waters of the Ganges washed the ashes to the confluence at Ganga Sagar. By the mere touch of Ganges’ holy water, Bhagirath’s ancestors attained salvation. From Bhagirath was born Shrut, of whom, there was Nâbh. From Nâbh was born Sindhudvip of whom thereafter Ayutayu was born. His son Rituparna was a friend of Nal. From Nal he received the art of training horses in exchange for secrets of gambling. Rituparna had a son named Sarvakam. From him there was Sudas whose son Saudâs was the husband of Madyanti and who ascended the throne after him. Saudas sometimes went out to hunt and had in the past killed a rakshas, but the brother that he had let go, pursued him in revenge. With evil intentions he posed as the king’s cook and presented the king’s spiritual master, Guru Vasishth, the flesh of a human being as food. Checking his food, the mighty master found it unfit for consumption and holding the king responsible, cursed him saying: ‘For this you’ll become a man-eater indeed!’ Saudâs though got enraged because he was cursed without any fault and had taken a palmful of water in order to curse his guru, but his wife Madyanti stopped him. He spilled the water potent of the shrapa- mantra over his legs, and acquired a black spot on his leg [for which he was known as Kalmashpad]. Finding out that the demon was to blame, the king performed a penance for twelve years. Living in the forest, he once saw a Brahmin couple, and suffering from hunger he caught the Brahmin. The Brahmin’s wife, cried loudly from her deepest being and pronounced angered a curse against the king. ‘Because you’ve devoured the husband of a woman in pain for begetting a child, o sinner, you will also find death when you try to have intercourse, o traitor of civilization!’ Thus, when after twelve years Saudâs was released from the curse of Vasishth, he remained sonless. Rishi Vasishth then was permitted to beget a child in Madyanti, his wife. She verily bore the child for seven years in her womb not delivering, but with her abdomen struck by a stone, was a son born, who therefore was called Ashmak (of us). From Ashmak was Balik born. This child was protected by a human shield consisting of women and named thereafter as ‘Nârikavach’. When there were no rulers around anymore [as Lord Parshuram had killed them all], he became Mulak, the progenitor of the Kshatriyas. From Balik there was a son named Dashrath. His son was Aidavidi and from him, there was the famous king Vishvasah who had Khatvang who, on the request of the godly, had killed numerous daityas in battle. From Khatvang there was the mighty Dirghbahu or Dilip born. Dilip and his wife Sudakshina, looked after the Divine Cow Nandini and her calf, and were blessed with a valiant son. He was the renowned and dexterous Raghu, who became famous due to his battle prowess and generosity. His son was the brave Aja who married the nymph Indumati, and thus was born the great king Dashrath. He had three queens, Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi, but was still without a son. Meanwhile, the rakshas Ravan had put the three worlds in fear. His atrocities had put people and even the demigods into so much misery, that they decided to go to Lord Vishnu to seek his help. On the prayers of the gods, were from Dashrath’s three queens born, the incarnations of the Supreme Lord Hari, Shri Raam, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughna.

Lineage of Shri Raam Lord Raam and his consort Devi Sita had two sons, Luv and Kush. Of Kush and Kumudvati, there was Atithi, and from him there was Nishadh; Nishadh’s son was Nabh, Pundarik came after him and Kshemdhanva was his son. His son was Devanik whose son was Anih whose son was Pariyatra. Pariyatra’s son was Balsthal who had a son called Vajranabh who stemmed from the sun-god Surya. From Sagana [the son of Vajranabh] there was a son called Vidhriti from whom the son Hiranyanabh was born who became a teacher of yoga after Jaimini. From Pushpa, the son of Hiranyanabh, was born Dhruvsandhi from whom there was Sudarshan. After him came Agnivarna whose son was named Shighra and Maru was his son. Maru still resides in Kalâp-grâm [bundle of communities] and he will, at the end of Kali-yug, beget a son named Savarni in order to revive the lost dynasty of the sun-god.(!) There was a son born to him called Prasushrut who had Sandhi of whom was Amarshan born. From his son Mahasvân the person of Vishvabahu took birth. From him there was Prasenajit from whom again Takshak took birth. From Takshak, there was Brihadbal, the one who was killed in the great Mahabharat fight, by the hands of Abhimanyu.

Other sons of Ikshvaku Ikshvaku’s other son Nimi, once decided to organise a Yagya that was to last for one thousand years. He wanted the sage Vasishth to guide the Yagya. But Indra had already booked Vasishth for a period of five hundred years. So sage Vasishth expressed his inability to conduct any other Yagya and requested the king to wait till he was free from Indra’s obligations. Nimi kept quite at that time. Taking his silence as an approval, the sage began the Yagya for Indra. But the king meanwhile started Yagya in the auspices of other sages like Gautam etc. At the completion of Yagya for Indra, sage Vasishth hurried back to the earth to conduct Yagya for King Nimi. But here he found that a Yagya was already in progression. This infuriated the sage to the extent that he cursed Nimi, who was sleeping at that time, to lose his body at once. When the king learned about the curse and that he was cursed in sleep, he cursed the sage in retaliation to lose his body at once before giving up his own body. By the curse of Nimi, Vasishth’s body was destroyed but he himself entered the semen of Mitra-varun. Thereafter, one day Mitra-varun happened to sea the elf Urvashi. Her amorous beauty caused the ejaculation of his semen spontaneously and thus sage Vasishth was reborn. On the other hand, at end of Yagya when the gods appeared to accept their due share from the offerings, the sages prayed to them to grant Nimi his desire to stay with his people forever. The gods granted that desire, and thus, blinking of eyes came into practice because of Nimi’s stay there. In order to save the kingdom from anarchy, the sages churned the dead body of Nimi with a stick of Bombax tree and produced a son. Because of his uncommon birth became he known as Vaideh [‘free from a body’] because of being born from Videha [Nimi that was without a body]. The city he founded, both were known as Mithila (being born of the churning). From him there was a son named Udavasu, the one born from him was Nandivardhan, Suketu followed him and his son had the name Devrat, a great ruler. From him there was Brihadrath, Mahavirya was his son and he became the father of Sudhriti who had a son named Dhrishthaketu. He on his turn had Haryashva after whom there was Maru. Maru’s son was Pratipak and from him was Kritarth born. From him came Devamidh and his son Vishrut had one named Mahadhriti. Kritirath followed and from him there was Maharom as a son whose son Svarnarom had a son called Hrashvarom to follow in the dynasty. From him was Shirdhvaj [King Janaka] born who for the performance of sacrifices plowing the earth had Goddess Sita [the wife of Lord Rama] bestowed to him. His brother was Kushadhvaj who’s three daughters Urmila, Mandvi and Shrutkirti married Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughna respectively. Kushadhvaj’s son was king Dharmadhvaj whose two sons were Kritdhvaj and Mitdhvaj. Kritdhvaj had Keshidhvaj and Mitdhvaj’s son was Khandikya. Kritadhvaj’s son was an expert in the science of transcendence. From Bhanuman, Keshidhvaj’s son, there was born Shatdyumna. Shuchi was his son and of him was the son Sandvaj born. Urjaketu, his son, had Aja who thereafter had Purujit as his son. Also he had a son Arishthanemi, and from his son Shrutayu was born Suparshvak who fathered Citrarath of whom the son Kshemadhi became the next king of Mithila. His son named Samarath had one named Sathyarath. From him was Upagupta born, who was a partial expansion of Agni [the god of fire]. Vasvanant [of Upagupta] had a son thereafter known by the name of Yuyudh who had a son called Subhashan and his son was Shrut. He had Jay who had Vijay, whose son was Rita. Of him was the son Shunak born, then came Vitahavya and his son was Dhriti. Dhriti begot the son Bahulashva and of him there was Kriti who had a son called Mahavashi. The kings yet to come.. All these kings of the Ikshvaku-dynasty are dead and gone. Now listen to the ones to come- after Brihadbal there will be a son named Brihadran. Brihadran’s son will be Urukriya, of whom will Vatsavriddha take birth. Prativyoma will be his son and of him there will be Bhanu, whose son Divak will be a great military commander. Sahdev from him will beget a great hero: Brihadashva, from whom there will be Bhanuman. From Bhanuman will come Pratikashva who will father Supratik. Marudev will be born thereafter and after him there will be Sunakshatra; next will be Pushkar and then his son Antariksh will have Sutapâ whose son will be Amitrajit. Brihadraj then of him will bring Barhi, Kritan’jay born of him will have a son called Ranan’jay and of him Sanjay will take birth. From him will thereafter be Shakya whose son will be the memorable Shuddhod, the father of Langal of whom there will be Prasenajit who on his turn will father Kshudrak. Ranak will take birth from him, Surath will be the next son, and the one of him named Sumitra will end the line of all these kings in the Brihadbal-dynasty. Of all these descendants of Ikshvaku will Sumitra be the last to appear in the future because getting to him as a king will be the culmination indeed for Kali-yuga! Other sons of Vaivasvat Manu Vaivasvat Manu and his wife Shradha had other sons also. They were Sudyumna, Drishta, Nrig, Nabhag, Prishdhar, Vrishah, Karush, Vasumant, Shrayati and Narishyant. 1). One of them was Prishadhar. He was ordered by his guru to herd cows and look after their protection. One night while it was raining, a tiger entered the cowshed and got all the cows up in fear, scattering all around in the field. When the strong animal seized one of them, that cow began to cry of distress and fear. Prishadhar upon hearing the screaming, and having taken up his sword, attacked the tiger, but in the dark of the night, he cut the cow’s head off mistaking her for the tiger! The tiger was also hit and fled most afraid leaving blood on its trail. Prishadhar, thinking he had killed the tiger, to his dismay discovered the next morning that he had killed the cow. The family preceptor Vasishth cursed him for the - unintended - sinful deed saying: ‘Having acted like a Shudra, you cannot belong to the Kshatriyas anymore, and therefore shall be your Karma to become one.’ The warrior thus being cursed by his guru accepted it with folded hands and took up the vow of celibacy as approved by the sages. Unto Vâsudev, the Supreme Lord and Soul of all, the Transcendent and Pure, he was unalloyed in the mode of bhakti equal and kindhearted to each living being. In that order of life, he achieved the ultimate transcendental goal, when seeing a forest fire, he allowed his body to beconsumed by it. 2). Another son, Kavi or Vasuman, the youngest, had no attachments to material pleasures and after giving up his father’s kingdom, entered, the transcendental world always keeping the effulgent Supreme Person in his heart. 3). From the son of Manu, Karush [or Tarush] was there a dynasty of Kshatriyas called the Kârûshas who as kings of the northern realm were highly religious protectors of the Brahminical teachings. 4). From Dhrishtha [or Shrishtha] came about a caste of Kshatriyas who in the world, having achieved the position of brahmins, were named the Dharshtha. 5). Of Nriga there was the succession of first Sumati, Bhutajyoti and thereafter Vasu. Of Vasu his son Pratik was there one named Oghvan [’the uninterrupted tradition’] who was the father of another Oghvan who had a daughter named Oghvati. She married Sudarshan. 6). From Narishyant there was Chitrasen and Riksha was his son, and of him was there Midhvan. Midhvan’s son was Purna and Indrasen was Purna’s son. From Indrasen there was Vitihotra, of him there was Satyashrava, Urushrava was his son and of him was Devdatt born. Devdatt’s son was the powerful Agniveshya who was Agni in person from whom came forth a dynasty of Brahmins known as the Âgniveshyâyans. 7). Another son of Manu named Shryati was a brahminical king and so he became one who gave instruction on things as the functions to be performed on the second day in the arena of sacrifice of the descendants of Angira. He had three sons- Uttanabarhi, Anart and Bhurishen and a lotus-eyed daughter called Sukanya who with her husband Chyavan helped the Ashvin Kumars in gaining the Madhu-Vidya.. Qnarta, begot Revat, who built a beautiful city in the deep ocean (!) called Kushasthali, and lived materially happy and ruled kingdoms. He had a hundred sons of whom the eldest was Kakudmi. Raivat took Revati with him and approached Brahma who asked about a suitable match for her. At that time, Gandharvas were singing near Brahma. Raivat listened to their songs intently and forgot about the passage of time. Many ages passed like that but Raivat felt as if only an hour had passed. When the Gandharvas stopped singing, Raivat once again asked Brahma about a suitable match for Revati. Brahma asked Raivat about his own choices first. Raivat counted the names of many deserving princes and kings all of whom belonged to earth. Brahma said smiling- "No one even in the progeny of these people is alive on earth because here listening to the Gandharvas songs you have passed four ages. Presently even the age of eighteenth Manu is about to end on earth and Kali Yuga is about to start." These words frightened Raivat who greeted Brahma and asked- "O Lord! Now tell me whom should I marry Revati to?" Brahma said- "That unborn all pervasive Parmeshwar Lord Vishnu had taken an incarnation on earth. O king! Your capital at Kushasthali which was equal to Indra's abode Amravati is now Dwarkapuri. In that Dwarkapuri, stays Baldev who is a part of Lord Vishnu. Marry this daughter to him because she is a jewel among the women folk and Baldev is praised all over the world by all. Hence only he deserves to be your son-in-law." Hearing the verdict of Brahma, Prajapati Raivat descended on the earth and saw that an amazing transformation had taken place in the appearance of people who were now smaller in stature, ugly, dull and devoid of strength. Even his capital Kushasthali had acquired a new appearance and was now known as Dwarkapuri. Raivat found out Baldev and married his granddaughter Revati to him. But Revati appeared quite large and taller in stature than Baldev because of age difference. Baldev pressed her slightly with anterior part of his plough and she assumed a stature equal to normal women. After handing his daughter over to the most powerful Lord Baladev, the king retired to the Badarikashram, the place of Lords Nar-Narayan. 8). From Dishtha there was Nâbhâg [unlike his uncles Nabhag nor the Nâbhâg that was also called Nriga]. He, answered to the profession of the Vaishyas. His son was Bhalandan and of him there was Vatsaprîti. From him there was the son named Pramshu and his son was Pramati. Know Khanitra as Pramati’s successor. He was followed by Chakshush and his son Vivimshati. Vivimshati’s son was Rambh and his son was a very religious one named Khaninetra. Of him there was the scion Karandham. The latter’s son was Avikchit whose son was Marut who became the emperor. The great mystic Samvarta, the son of Angira, engaged him in performing a yagya. The like of Marut’s sacrifice has never been seen since, as all he used was made of gold and everything he had was of the greatest beauty. Indra became intoxicated of drinking the som-rasa, the twice-born were royally compensated, the shining ones [Maruts] offered foodstuffs and all divinities of the universe were part of the assembly. Marut’s son was Dama and of him, there was one with the power to expand the kingdom, Rajyavardhan. From his son Sudhriti was a son born named Nar. His son was called Keval and Dhundhuman was his. From him came Vegvan and from Vegvan there was Budh whose son was Trinabindu, a great king. Alambusha, a nymph accepted him as her husband. She was a goddess worthy of him, a girl of heaven and reservoir of all good qualities from whom a couple of sons and a daughter named Ilavila were born. Trinabindu’s sons were Vishal, Shunyabandhu and Dhumraketu. From Vishal, rose a dynasty and a place named Vaishali. Hemchandra was his son and Dhumrâksh was his, and from his son Samyam there were two sons named Krishâshva and Devaj. From Krishashva, there was a son named Somdatt. A son of Somdatt named Sumati then begot one called Janmejaya. 9). Another son of Manu, Nabhag, had a learned son Nâbhâg, [not the uncle also called Nriga nor the Nâbhâg of Dishtha,] who had went into the forest for performing penances. Returning from a celibate life, he found that the elder brothers had divided the property amongst themselves. He obtained sacrificial riches from the descendants of Angira and was blessed by Rudra, the great lord and guardian of the Dharma. By Nâbhâg was the most exalted and highly celebrated devotee, Ambarish born. He was a great devotee of the lotusfeet of Krishna. In horse-sacrifices by the Sarasvati river flowing through the desert countries, executed by Brahmins like Vasishth, Asit and Gautam, he worshipped the Supreme Controller, with opulence and all the prescribed paraphernalia and remuneration. Pleased with his unalloyed devotional service, the Lord granted him the protection of His chakra Sudarshan. Once on the banks of the Yamuna, the king observed in the month of Kartik [Oct.-Nov.] for three nights, a full fast after which he took a bath and worshiped the Lord. The learned who had arrived at his place were fed sumptuously and donated sixty crores nicely decorated, young cows with gold-covered horns and silverplated hooves. He was then confronted with the visit of sage Durvasa. Although he came there uninvited, the king showed him respect, by standing up and offering him a seat, with all regards falling to his feet and asking him to eat something. Durvasa gladly accepted that request, and went to perform the necessary rituals. With less than an hour to go before ending of the Dvadashi fast, and no sign of the sage’s return, the king set to wonder about what now would be the right idea of dharma: ‘Failing to respect the brahmin sage is an offense as well as not to break with the fast at the right time; what now is the best thing to do? Let me touch water only so that I meet with the end of the vow correctly, as drinking water is indeed as well eating as not eating.’ When Durvasa was done with the rituals at the bank of the Yamuna and returned, he was well received by the king but from his omniscience, the sage understood what had taken place. Trembling all over with rage, with his face screwed up and frowning, being very hungry, he addressed the perpetrator standing there with folded hands. ‘Alas, this one here, has in the madness of his opulence, transgressed the Dharma! This man has, after welcoming me as his guest, taken food without giving it me: right now I’ll show you what the repercussion is.’ Speaking thus and red with anger, he pulled out, a bunch of hair and created from it a fiery demon. But by the grace of the Original Supersoul, who had arranged for the protection of His devotee, the Chakra burnt that demon to ashes. Seeing how the disc was now moving at him and how his own attempt had failed, Durvasa began to run in great fear wherever he could go to save his life. Without the shelter of a protector, looking for someone who could give him shelter, he at last approached Lord Brahma: ‘O my Lord protect me from the fire released at me by the Invincible One.’ Lord Brahma said: ‘With a flick of His eyebrows will the place where I am, along with this whole universe burn after one day of my life. I, Rudra, and all the rulers of living beings and the demigods - we all carry out His orders. How can I save you from His chakra?’ Turned down, Durvasa went for shelter to him, who always resides on Kailash. Shiv Shankar said: ‘We relative to the Supreme One lack in power, my dear - with us rotating in Him, the Unborn One, Lord Brahma, I, and others all-perfect in knowledge have met with the limits of all knowing, but none of us can fully comprehend His illusory energy and that which is covered by it. Therefore you should seek refuge with the Lord who will not fail you in His auspiciousness.’ Disappointed Durvasa went thereafter to the Supreme Lord, scorched by the fire of the invincible weapon. He fell down at His lotus feet trembling all over and said he: ‘O Infallible and Unlimited One, o Desire of the Saintly, o Master give me, this great offender, protection! Not knowing of Your inconceivable prowess have I committed a great offense at the feet of the ones dear to Your Lordship; please be so kind to do whatever is needed to counteract an offense like this.’ The Supreme Lord said: ‘O twice-born one, I am not self-willed, I indeed am fully committed to My bhaktas; it is because they are devotees that My heart is controlled by the saintly and by those that hold those bhaktas dear. Their spouse, house, children, relatives, their very lives and wealth - if they unto Me for the Transcendence gave up on all these taking their shelter, then how can I give up on them? The saintly are always in My heart and I am verily always in theirs; they know nothing apart from Me and and I do not have the least interest apart from them. ‘With this action of yours, you have become your own enemy; now waste no time and forthwith go to him [Ambarîsh] because of whom this happened - you see: the power applied against the devotee is harmful to the one who employs it. Penance and knowledge are the two causes for the upliftment of the learned ones, but with an upstart do they bring the performer the exact opposite. O brahmin, go therefore to the king, the son of Nâbhâg, to pacify him the great personality - only then there will be peace for you.’ When Durvasa finally returned to Ambarish at the banks of Yamuna, and asked forgiveness, the Chakra returned to the Supreme Lord. Thus, the Lord showed to the world, the importance of respecting His devotees. 10). The most interesting lifestory is of the eldest son of Manu called Sudyumna. He spent cycles in his life born first as a woman Ila, then turned into a man by the request of Manu to the gods. He then became a brave and just ruler. In this form he had three valiant sons Gaya, Vimal and Utkal. Then unknowingly, when he entered Shiv’s sacred grove, he was turned into a woman again and lost all memory of his previously spent life. It was in this form of Ila that Chandra’s son Budh found her roaming in the jungle and fell in love with her. She then gave birth to Pururava who became the scion of the Lunar Dynasty.

 Chandravansh

The Lunar Dynasty

The Lunar Dynasty starts with the son of Chandrama, the Moon-god. Chandrama had eloped with Tara, the wife of Brihaspati from whom he got a son Budh. Budh came across Ila, the daughter of Vaivasvat Manu, wandering in the forest and enchanted by her beauty, married her. They begot a mighty son, Pururava or Yela (from Ila) who was a very virtuous king and became one of the six World-Monarchs. He established the city of Prayaag which later became the capital of his kingdom.

Lineage of Pururava Pururava helped Indra defeat the mighty demon Keshi and attracted by his virtues, elf Urvashi approached him with a desire to marry him. Pururava welcomed Urvashi, and together they begot six sons- Ayu, Shrutayu, Satyayu, Ray, Vijay and Jay. 1). The youngest son Jay or Amavasu built the kingdom of Kanyakubj over the North-western regions. had a son Bhima and Bhima in turn had a son Kanchan. Jahnu was the son of Kanchan's son, Suhotra. At the time of Ganga's descend on earth, when Jahnu saw his hermitage inundated, he drank all her water. He released the Ganges only when the Devrishis prayed him. Since then Ganges also came to be known as Jahnavi, the daughter of Jahnu. Lineage of Jahnu grew as follows- Jahnu, Sumant, Ajak, Balakashva and Kusha. Kusha had four sons- Kushamb, Kushnam, Adhurtraja and Vasu. Kushamb observed severe penance with a desire to have a son like Indra. Pleased by his penance, Indra himself took birth as his son. He came to be known as Kaushik. Kaushik had a daughter named Satyavati who got married to Richeek. Sage Richeek prepared kheer in two parts- one for his wife Satyavati and another for Satyavati's mother. Instructing Satyavati, he went to the forest. When Satyavati and her mother were about to eat the kheer, her mother exchanged her part of kheer with that of her daughter saying that her son had to foster the world while the son of the sage had nothing to do with wealth and all that. Satyavati agreed to that and ate that part of kheer, which was reserved for her mother whereas her mother ate Satyavati's part. When Richeek returned from the forest, he noticed formidable changes in the body of his wife. He understood that she had eaten her mother's part of the kheer. Angrily the sage predicted that she would have a son who would be Kshatriya-like in virtues whereas her mother would have Brahmin-like son. Satyavati begged pardon and requested the sage to change his prediction saying that the crime was committed by mistake and that she would be happy to have a Kshatriya-like grandson but not a son. At her request the sage changed his prediction. As per the prediction, Satyavati gave birth to Jamadagni whereas her mother gave birth to Vishwamitra. After giving birth to Yamdagni turned into a river named Kaushiki. In later course, as a partial incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Parashuram took birth as the son of sage Yamdagni. 2). In the lineage of Vijay or Vishvasu, there had occurred a king Gaadhi. Gaadhi had a daughter Satyvati. Satyvati was married to the sage Richik. Richik and Satyvati begot Yamdagni who married Renuka, the daughter of sage Renu. Yamdagni and Renuka begot the mighty Lord Parshuram. 3). Of the eldest son of Pururava, Aayu, and his wife Prabha, the daughter of Rahu, there were the powerful sons Nahush, Kshatravriddha, Raji, Rabh and Anena. Ayu also established the city of Mathura on the banks of the river Yamuna. (The tartars from mid-Asia trace their origin to Ayu, and in their language, Ayu symbolizes Moon) Of Kshatravriddha’s son Suhotra there were three sons: Kashya, Kush and Gritsamad. From Gritsamad there was Shunak and from him came Shaunak, a muni most excellent in the sacred verses. Kashi the son of Kashya had Rashtra who fathered Dirghatma. From Dirghatma there was Dhanvantari who as an incarnation of Vasudev, the Enjoyer of Sacrifices, and was the founder of Ayur-vedic medicine; remembering Him all diseases can be overcome. From His son Ketuman took birth a son named Bhimarth and from him was there Divodas whose son Dyuman was also known as Pratardana. He indeed well-known also carried the names S’atrujit, Vatsa, Ritradhvaja and Kuvalayashva. From him there were Alarka and other sons. From Alarka there was Santati, from him came Sunîth, his son was Niketan and Niketan’s son was Dharmaketu from whom Satyaketu was born. After Dhrishthaketu, there was, from him Sukumar who ruled the entire planet. Vitihotra was his son and Bharg born from him brought forth a son named Bhargbhumi, ruler of man. From Kush, Kshatravriddha’s grandson, was Prati born. A son of him named San’jay had a son Jay who had as son Krita of whom next king Haryabal was born. From Sahadev, his son, there was Hîn of whom Jayasen as his son had Sankriti. Sankriti had also one named Jay, a dutiful kshatriya and a mighty warrior. from Rabh was Rabhas born. From him came Gambhir and Akriya was his son. The descendant that took birth from him was called Brahmavit. From Anena, there was a son Shuddh from whom Shuchi was born who had Chitrakrit for his son who was also known as Dharmasârthi. From him was Shantraj born who followed all kinds of Vedic rituals and celibacy [and so the line ended with him]. Of Raji there were five-hundred sons who were most powerful. On the request of the godly, he returned the heavenly kingdom back to Indra. But Indra, afraid of the enmity of Prahlad and others, gave it back and clasped Raji’s feet surrending himself to him. When their father passed away, the sons when requested to return the heavenly kingdom to the great Indra did not do so. By Dev-guru Brihaspati, were oblations offered in the fire so that Indra could kill all of Raji’s sons fallen from the path. None of them remained alive. Of king Nahush were there, the six of Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Aayati, Viyati and Kriti. The eldest son Yati, knowing what assuming power entails, did not accept the kingdom offered by his father, [with the argument that] the person who enters such a position cannot be serious in self-realization. When his father was forced to leave his elevated position because of having offended Indra’s wife Shachi, and had degraded to the life of a snake, Yayati became the king. The four brothers younger than him were allowed to rule the different directions. Yayati so ruling the world married with Devyani, the daughter of Shukracharya and Sharmishthha, the daughter of Vrishparvan.

He obtained five valiant sons from his two wives. Thus, Yadu and Turvasu were the ones that Devyani gave birth to, and Druhyu, Anu and Puru were born to Sharmishthha. Devyani however, was not happy with the turn of events, and boiling with anger, left for her father’s house. Following his sweetheart, the king tried to propitiate her with meaningful words but he couldn’t even appease by massaging her feet. Shukra angry with him said: ‘You womanizing deceitful man, may you immediately enter the old age that disfigures the human body and leaves it unfit for pursuit of pleasure.’ Yayati was repentant and begged for forgiveness. Shukra then replied: ‘For the sake of my daughter, you may for some time, exchange your age with the youth of one who wants to take your place.’ Thus the king took the opportunity to change place asking from the eldest son: ‘O Yadu, beloved son, please give me your youth in exchange for this old age! With what the father of your mother gave me my dear son, let me by the good of your age enjoy life for a few more years!’ Yadu said: ‘I’m not happy with accepting your old age while you remain in youth. Without [having had] the experience of bodily happiness will a person [like me] never become indifferent about material pleasures!’ Turvasu requested by the father and Druhyu and Anu also, refused to accept his request. Although he was the youngest of age, the king finally asked Puru saying: ‘You, of a better quality, should not like your older brothers, refuse me, dear son.’ Puru said: ‘What o King, is the life of a man, if he is unable to repay the father who gave him his body. He who acts in respect of his father’s idea is the best, he who acts on his command is but mediocre, low class is he who acts without faith, but a fool is he who defies his fathers words.’ This way, it was Puru, who accepted the old age of his father. When his father took Sanyas, he gave back the youthful body to his faithful son. He made [of his other sons] Puru, the ruler of the central kingdoms and the official bearer of the Somvanshi title, Druhyu king over the western direction, Yadu over the south-central side, Turvasu over the south-eastern part and Anu over the north. These five rulers became very famous and were collectively called the Panchjanya.

Yaduvansh Of Yadu, [Yayati’s first son] there was a great dynasty. Since he had lost the right to rule because of his refusal to fulfill his father’s wish, his descendants began to be known by a different name, that of Yadavs or Yaduvanshis. In this dynasty descended the Supreme Lord Krishna, the Supersoul. Of Yadu there were the four sons celebrated as Sahasrajit, Kroshtha, Nal and Ripu. 1). Yadu’s second son Kroshtha became the principal ruler. He had a son with the name Vrijinvan/Vrajpita. His son was Svahit who next had Vishadgu of whom there was Chitrarath, from whom Shashibindu took his birth, a great yogi who undefeated as an emperor, had all the fourteen kinds of great riches. Under his leadership the Kroshtha Yadavs won many states from the Purus and Druhyus. He had ten thousand wives, and in them he begot thousands of sons and one daughter Bindumati who was married to the famous ruler from Suryavansh- Maandhata. King Maandhata had won the Kanyakubj kingdom from the Anuz along with parts of land from Pauravs and Druhyus. From the mighty sons of Shashibindu, Bhoj was the eldest. Prithushrava [another son] had a son with the name Dharma. Ushna, his son performed a hundred Ashvamedh sacrifices. Of his son Ruchak, there were five sons named Purujit, Rukma, Rukmeshu, Prithu and Jyamagh. Jyamagh’s wife Shaivya, after a long period of sterility, gave birth to the auspicious Vidarbh who later married a chaste girl from the enemy clans that was chosen as his daughter-in-law by Jyamagh himself. Vidarbh had three sons Kaushik, Rompad [who propogated the line of Chedis], and Krath.  Krath’s line progressed as follows: Kunti-Dhrishti-Nirvitti-Darshah (whose generations were called Darshah Yadavs)-Vyom-Bhim-Jimut-Vikriti-Bhimrath-Navrath-Dashrath-Shakuni-Kribhi-Devrat-Devrat-Devshastra-Madhu (whose generations were called the Madhavs)-Kumârvansh-Anshu-Puruhotra/Purumitra-and finally Satvatt. Satvatt had six sons – Andhak, Bhajan, Bhajman, Devvardh, Vrishni and Divya. -King Andhak’s state was in Mathura and he had two sons, Kukur and Bhajman. The generations of Kukur were Drashnu-Kapot Rome-Devatta Viloman-Nal-Abhijit-Punarvasu and Ahuk. Ahuk had two sons, Devak and Ugrasen. Devak’s daughter Devaki was married to Vasudev, the grandson of Devmudh. Ugrasen’s son was the evil Kamsa, who by force dethroned his father and himself became the king and was later killed by Lord Krishna Himself. Bhajman’s generations included Vidurth-Rajdhidev-Shur-Shodashva-Shami-Pratiksharat- and Hridayat. Hridayat had five sons out of which the eldest two supported the Kaurav side in the Mahabharat War. They were Kritvarma and Shatdanva who also killed Shatrajit, the father-in-law of Shri Krishna. 2). From Sahsrajit, was born Shatjit, who had as his sons then Mahahaya, Renuhaya and Haihaya. Dharma then became Haihaya’s son and his son Netra was the father of Kunti [not Kuntî]. Sohan’ji became the son of Kunti and he begot Mahishman who had Bhadrasen. Durmad was born of Bhadrasena together with Dhanak. Dhanak fathered the sons Kritavirya, Kritagni, Kritavarma and Kritauja. Of Kritavirya there was Arjun [Kartaviryarjun] who became emperor over the seven continents and obtained all the great qualities [the eight siddhis] of yoga from Lord Dattatreya, an incarnation of the Supreme Personality. But then he became a tyrant and forced the Bhargav Brahmins of Narmada river to obtain shelter in Ayodhya under the Suryavanshi rulers. This created enmity between the Brahmins and the Haihaya Kshatriyas. Then he forcibly took away the Divine Cow Kamdhenu from the Ashram of Rishi Yamdagni. The rishi’s son Lord Parshuram, who had taken birth for the precise purpose of ridding the Earth of such evil rulers, destroyed his whole clan. Of his thousand sons only five remained alive in the fight with Parashuram: Jayadhvaj, Shursen, Vrishabh, Madhu and Urjit. Jaydhvaj had Talajangh of whom then a hundred sons were born. They made up a cruel Kshatriya clan known as the Talajanghas, that was destroyed thanks to the power [that Sagar] received from sage Aurva. Of Talajangh’s eldest son Vîtihotra, there was Madhu, who had a hundred sons of whom, the celebrated Vrishni was the eldest. In the lineage of Vrishni, there were born Devmudh, Sumitra, Yuddhjit and Samudravijay. Samudravijay had a son Neminath who was a highly realized soul. Sumitra had two sons Prasen and Sâtyaki. Sâtyaki’s son was Shatrajit and his daughter was Satyabhama. Devmudh had a son Shursen, who had a son Vasudev. Vasudev had eight wives. Devaki was the prominent among them. Nine children were born to them. Kansa, the brother of Devaki, killed six of them. Seventh was Balram, who had been transferred to the womb of Vasudev’s first wife Rohini, eighth Lord Shri Krishna, and at ninth place was her daughter Subhadra.    Lineage of Shri Krishna The Supreme Lord Himself came on this planet to wipe out evil before the beginning of the next yuga, Kaliyug. The purpose of His coming was also to fulfill the wishes of all His devotees. Thus, He gave the love of a devoted son to two sets of parents, His friendship to numerous Gopas and Gopis, and Conjugal love to sixteen thousand one hundred and eight queens! Out of these, eight were his principal queens whom he had wed to strengthen political alliances. The rest were celestial damsels who had been captured by the evil demon Narkasur, and when freed by the Lord, they requested only His protection and refused to return back to the heavens.   Lord Krishna’s first wife was Rukmini, the daughter of King Bhishmak of Vidarbh. She was the living incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. They had nine sons and one daughter- Princes Pradyumna, Sucharu, Chakbhadra, Sadasva, Hasva, Charugupta, Charuk, Charuhas and Princess Charukhasti.  His second queen was Satyabhama, the daughter of King Shatrajit. They had seven sons- Princes Bhanu, Bhimrath, Khad, Rohit, Diptiman, Tambrandh and Jalandham. The third queen was Surya, the daughter of King Surya, and the fourth queen was Mantra-vrinda, the daughter of Mantra-vrind. From her, there were three sons-Princes Sumitr, Charumitra and Mitravrind. The fifth queen was Satya, the daughter of King Satyajit, and sixth was Lakshmana, the daughter of King Mandra. The immortal bear-warrior Jambvant, who had asissted the Lord in His Shri Raam incarnation, gave his daughter Jambvati to Him in marriage. She had a son who was named Samb. The eighth queen of the lord was Bhadra, the daughter of King Bhadrasen. Pradyumna was the re-incarnation of Kamdev, and was hence re-united with his wife Rati after coming of age. He had two sons Vrijnabh and Aniruddh. Aniruddh was married to Usha, the daughter of a mighty demon king Banasur who was defeated by Lord Krishna after he had captured Aniruddh and put both him and his daughter under house-arrest. Their son was Mrigketan. When Bana was defeated, his kingdom of Kashyap-pur (Multan) was given to Samb, the son of Jambvati. He built a great temple for Lord Surya there. He also married Rama, a niece of Usha, and had a son called Ushneek. The glorious Yaduvansh went into decadence after the Mahabharat War. Gandhari, the queen of hastinapur remarked to Shri Krishna that if He had wanted, He could have stopped the war anytime. Her extreme grief over the loss of her ninety-nine sons made her blame Shri Krishna for the end of her Kul. Even though she could not put a curse on the Supreme lord Himself, she cursed the Yadu Dynasty to suffer and perish in the next thirty-six years. Thereafter, Yaduvanshis disappeared in the mists of time and their capital city Dwarka, was submerged in the sea. As long as the Supreme Lord was present on Earth, Kaliyug could not arrive, but after the Lord went back to His abode, within seven days, it took hold of the entire planet. Puruvansh Puru, the youngest son of Yayati gave rise to the mighty Puruvansh which ruled the land. Janmejay was the one who appeared from Puru. Prachinvan was his son and from him was there Pravir after whom Manusyu appeared; it was of him that Charupad appeared. The son appearing from him was Sudyu who had a son named Bahugav of whom was born Samyati who had a son named Ahamyati. The memorable Raudrashva was his son. He, with an Apsara girl Ghritachi, had ten sons: Riteyu, Kaksheyu, Sthandileyu, Kriteyuka, Jaleyu, Sannateyu, Dharmeyu, Satyeyu, Vrateyu and Vaneyu as the youngest. From Riteyu appeared a son named Rantinav and his three sons, a ruler of man, were Sumati, Dhruv and Apratirath. Kanva was Apratirath’s son. Of him there was Medhatithi of whom there were Prashkann and others who were all twice-born souls. From Sumati there was Rebhi whose son is the known Dushyant. Once, Dushyant went hunting and arrived at the hermitage of sage Kanva. When he came there saw he a woman sitting who shone in her own beauty like the goddess of fortune. The maiden was Shakuntala, and both of them fell in love with each other and decided to marry there and then in a Gandharv marriage. After due time, Shakuntala then gave birth to a mighty son Bharat. Kanva Muni executed in the forest the prescribed ceremonies for the son who as a child was remembered to capture a lion by force and play with it. After his father passed away, his son and he became an emperor of great fame and glory celebrated as a partial representation of the Lord on this earth. With the mark of the Chakra on his right hand and the mark of the lotus-whorl on his soles, was he of worship with a great ceremony and was he promoted to the position of the topmost ruler and master over everything. In the Mashnar sacrifice where Bhrigu rishi was the priest, he gave in charity fourteen lakhs of fine black elephants with the whitest tusks, complete with golden ornaments. Just like it is for certain impossible to seize the heavenly planets by the strength of one’s arms, it is neither possible to parallel the exalted activities of Bharat, nor will any of the human rulers after him ever be able to attain such a thing. He became a world-monarch and this part of the continent has since ever been called Bhaarat in his honour. All such barbarian rulers of man against the Brahminical culture as the Kirats [Africans], the northern tribes [Huns], the Yavans [Greeks] the Paundras [the wild men of south Bihar and Bengal] and the Kanks, the Khasas [the Mongolians] and the Shakas he killed conquering all directions. The great king had three wives, daughters of Vidarbha. After he performed a Marut-stoma sacrifice to beget sons, the Maruts themselves presented him a valiant son Bharadvaj. From Vitatha [Bharadvaj], was born a son Manyu, and from him, there were Brihatkshatra, Jay, Mahavirya, Nar and Garg. #Of them, Nar had Sankriti, and Sankriti had Guru and the extremely generous Rantidev; the glories of whom are sung in this world and the next. #From Garg, there was Shini, from whom came Gârgya, of whom despite of his Kshatriya birth, a whole line of Brahmins originated. #From Mahavirya there was Duritakshay whose sons were named Trayaruni, Kavi and Pushkararuni. They all achieved the position of Brahmins. #Hasti became Brihatkshatra’s son who founded the city of Hastinapur. Ajamidh, Dvimidh and Purumidh were the sons of Hasti. Ajamidh’s descendants were headed by Priyamedh, while Purumidh was without a son. -Yavinar born of Dvimidh had Kritiman for his son and his son well known is Satyadhriti whose son Dridhanemi was the father of Suparshva. Suparshva had Sumati whose son Sannatiman had one called Kriti, who from Lord Brahma got the mystic power to teach the six Prâcyasâma Samhitâ’s [Saam-ved verses]. Of him came Nîp, of whom Udgrayudh was born. His son was Kshemya, of whom came Suvir. From Suvir was there Ripun’jay. The one from him was named Bahurath. -From Ajamîdh there was a son Brihadishu, his son was Brihaddhanu, Brihatkaya came thereafter and his son was Jayadrath. His son was Vishad of whom Syenajit was born and his sons were Rucirâshva, Dridhahanu, Kâshya and Vatsa. Rucirashva’s son was Pâr, from him was Prithusen and then Nip. He begot Brahmadatt, a yogi who from his wife Sarasvati had Vishvaksen. By the instruction of rishi Jaigishavya he wrote a description of yoga. He had a son Udaksen and from him there was Bhallath. -Of Ajamidh from the wife Nalini, was born Neel who then had Shanti as his son. Shanti’s son Sushanti had Puruj, Ark was his son and from him generated Bharmyashva who had five sons with Mudgal as the eldest, Yavinar, Brihadvishva, Kampil and San’jay. He prayed to them: ‘My sons, if you’re really capable, then care for all the different states’. Thus received they the name of Panchâls [Of the Five States]. From Mudgal was there a line consisting of Brahmins known as Maudgalyas. Two non-identical twins, one male and one female were born to Mudgal. The male was called Divodas and the female was Ahalya. From Divodas was Mitrâyu born and his sons, were Chyavan, Sudas, Sahadev and Somak. Somak was the father of Jantu. Of him, there were a hundred sons, and the youngest of them was Prishat. From him was Drupad born, who conducted a massive fire-sacrifice and obtained the beautiful daughter Draupadi [the wife of the Pandavs]. His sons were led by Dhrishthadyumna of whom there was Dhrishtaketu. Of Ahalya's marriage with Gautam rishi was Shatanand born. Of him there was a son Satyadhriti, and of Sharadvan, his son, were, simply by seeing Urvashi, of his semen falling on a clump of shar grass, a male and a female child born. During a hunt, King Shantanu saw the twins whom he out of compassion took with him, naming the boy Krip and the girl Kripi. She later became Dronacharya’s wife. Kuruvansh -Riksha was another son born from Ajamidh. His son Samvaran begot in his wife Tapti, the daughter of Sun-God Surya, the mighty Kuru, who found the city of Kurukshetra. After growing up, Kuru mastered all the four Vedas and other scriptures within a very short period. At the raw age of 24, he became a scholar. When he attained marriageable age, he was married to Saudamini- the daughter of Sudama. Later on, he was appointed as the successor by his father, Samvaran. After becoming the king, Kuru ruled his subjects in a just manner but very soon he got bored of his monotonous life. He knew that only those kings became immortal who accomplished amazing feats. He decided to do something for which people would remember him. With the objective of making his name immortal, he went to the most sacred place called Samantpanchak and decided to cultivate the eight virtues of Tapa, Satya, Kshama, Daya, Shauch, Daan, Yuga and Brahmacharya on its barren land. He started ploughing a piece of land with a golden plough, which was pulled by Lord Shankar’s bull Nandi, and Yamaraj’s buffalo Paundrak. While he was busy ploughing the field, Indra approached him and asked suspiciously as to what he was trying to cultivate. When Kuru revealed his intentions, Indra made fun of him and went back. But Kuru continued to cultivate the land. In a very short time, he had already cultivated the land measuring 7 kosas. Pleased by his perseverance, Lord Vishnu Himself arrived and asked the same question. Kuru told him that all these eight virtues were present in his own body and it would not be a difficult task to cultivate these things. He then offered his own body in a sacrifice to the Lord! Lord Vishnu was pleased with his devotion and asked him to demand anything. Kuru replied- “All the area cultivated by me should become famous as a sacred pilgrimage. All the devotees who visit or die at this sacred pilgrimage must attain salvation. This place should be known by my name.” This is how the most sacred place of pilgrimage- Kurukshetra came into existence. Parikshi, Sudhanu, Jahnu and Nishadh were Kuru’s sons. # From Sudhanu was Suhotra born and from him came Chyavan of whom there was Kriti. Of him there was the famous Uparichar Vasu. His sons headed by Brihadrath were Kushamb, Matsya, Pratyagra, Chedip and others. They all became rulers of the state of Chedi. From Brihadrath was Kushagra born. Of his son Rishabh was Satyahit born who as his offspring had Pushpvân whose son was Jahu. Brihadrath being with also a second wife had a son who was born in two parts! The demoness Jara playfully united the two parts of the baby saying: ‘Come alive, come alive’, so that a son called Jarâsandh was born [who later became an enemy of Lord Krishna]. From him was then Sahadev born of whose son Somapi there was Shrutashrava. # Parikshi [another son of Kuru] had no children while of Jahnu one was born named Surath. From him there was Vidurath of whom Sarvabhaum was born. He had Jayasen and from his son Radhik was Ayutayu born. From him then there was Akrodhan who had a son named Devtithi of whom Riksh was born who had a son called Dilip and of him there was the son Prateep. Of him there were the sons Devapi, Shantanu and Vahlik. Vahlik generated Somdatt and from him were Bhuri, Bhurishrava and Shal. Devapi the eldest rejected kingship and left for the forest so that Shantanu became the king. Shantanu, in his previous life had been the celebrated Mahabhish; whomever he touched with his hands attained youth however old that person would be. Because one indeed primarily by the touch of his hands could get the youth of pleasure, he was known as Shantanu. When Indra, for twelve years had not sent down rain in his kingdom, Shantanu was advised by the wise Brahmins: ‘Give immediately, for the elevation of your stronghold and kingdom, the realm back to your elder brother.’ Thus advised, Shantanu asked Devapi to take charge of the kingdom. But Devâpi had no desire to rule, and gave back the right to reign. When that was said, the demigod showered the rains. Devapi later sought his refuge in the village of Kalâp taking up the practice of yoga. The Som-dynasty lost in Kali-yug will [by him] at the beginning of the next Satya-yuga be re-established! Shantanu begot in his wife Ganga the self-realized great devotee and scholar Bhishm, the best of all defenders of the dharma. He also begot from his second wife Satyavati, the daughter of Das [a fisherman] two sons Chitrangad and Vichitravirya. Satyavati, previous to her marriage to Shantanu had by the mercy of sage Parashar incarnated an expansion of the Lord who was a great muni protecting the Veda’s: Krishna Dvaipayan Vyas. Chitrangad was killed by a Gandharv of the same name. Vichitravirya, the younger son, married two daughters of Kashiraj, Ambika and Ambalika. But he soon died of tuberculosis. There being no offspring, Vyasdev begot Dhritrashtra and Pandu [with Ambika and Ambalika] and Vidur [with maidservant Vinita]. From his wife Gandhara were of Dhritrashthra a hundred sons born, of whom Duryodhan and Dushasan were the eldest, as well as one daughter called Duhsala. Pandu because of a curse had to restrain his sexual life, and so the great Pandav heroes, took birth by means of a mantra given to Kunti, by the sage Durvasa. The three Yuddhishthir, Bheem and Arjun were begotten by Dharma, Indra and Vayu [not mentioning Karna from Surya]. Nakul and Sahdev were in the womb of Madri begotten by the two Ashvins [Nasatya and Dasra]. From these five brothers came [with Draupadi] five sons into this world: Yudhishthhir had Prativindhya, Bheem had Shrutsen, from Arjun came Shrutakirti and of Nakul there was Shatanik. Sahdev had Shrutkarma. There indeed were also other sons: from Yudhishthhir was there with Pauravi a son Devak, Bheem had Ghathotkach with Hidimba and Sarvagat with Kali. Likewise had Sahdeva with Vijaya, the daughter of the Himalayan king, Suhotra born from him. Nakul had with Renumati a son named Narmitra. Arjun had the son Iravan from the womb of Ulup [a Naag-daughter] and the son Babhruvahan with the princess of Manipur Chitrangada, who was adopted by the father -in-law. From Subhadra [Krishna’s sister] was born Abhimanyu who was a great hero who defeated all Atiratha’s [’those who can oppose a thousand charioteers’] and died gloriously in the Mahabharat War. His son was Parikshit, who took birth from Uttara. With the annihilation of the Kuru-dynasty, Ashvatthama, the son of Dron, tried to put him also to death with the heat of the Brahmastra-weapon, but by the mercy of Lord Krishna, he was saved. All the sons of Parikshit, beginning with Janmejay first, Shrutsen, Bheemsen and Ugrasen - were of great power. The eldest son, knowing that his father had died from the bite of Takshak, the king of the snakes, organized and offered in a fire sacrifice almost all the snakes of the world. Shatanik, his son, with Yajn’avalkya thoroughly studied the three Vedas, realized the military art from Kripacharya and with Shaunak achieved the transcendental. Sahasranik his son, had Ashvamedhaj, and from him was Asimakrishna who had a son Nemichakra. With Hastinapur flooded by the river, Nemichakra duly lived at Kaushambi, whereafter from his son called Chitrarath there was the son Shuciratha. From him was born Vrishthiman from whom was Sushen, an emperor born. His son Sunît had one called Nrichakshu and from him was Sukhinal. Pariplav was his son and from Sunay after him was Medhavi; from him there was Nripan’jay, who had Durva and by him Timi took birth. Of Timi, was born Brihadrath of whom Sudas had the son Shatanik. Shatanik had a son named Durdaman and his son was Mahinar. Dandpani, from him, had Nimi from whom Kshemak took birth. With Kshemak closing the row as the monarch there was an end to this dynasty, this source of Brahmins and Kshatriyas respected by the seers and the godly in Kali-yuga. The aftermath of the terrible Mahabharat War, was so mammoth that for a few centuries to come, history came to a standstill. This phase of Indian history would be stagnant until the coming of the Lord again in the form of Buddha, the Enlightened One. Next in the future, will be the kings of Magadh. Other sons of Yayati 1). Turvasu [Yayati’s second son] had the son Vahni. Vahni had next Bharg who begot Bhanuman. Tribhanu, his son, had also one: the magnanimous Karandham. His son was Marut; he, sonless, adopted a Paurav [Dushmant] as his son. Dushmant desirous for the throne, turned back to his clan [the Purus]. 2). Of Druhyu [Yayati’s third son] there was a son Babhru who next begot Setu. Arabdha born from him had Gandhar and of him there was Dharma. He had Dhrita, and of Dhrita there was Durmad of whom the son Praceta had a hundred sons. They as kings accepted the jurisdiction over the northern direction, the uncivilized areas of Mlecchadesh. 3). Of Anu [the fourth son of Yayati] were there the three sons Sabhanar, Chakshu and Pareshnu. From Sabhanar thereafter came Kalanar and a son of him called Srin’jay. Of Janmejay [after him] there was a son Mahâshâl who had Mahamana. Ushinar and Titikshu were the two sons of Mahamana. Shibi, Vara, Krimi and Daksh were the four born from Ushinar. Vrishadarbh, Sudhir, Madra and the self-realized Kekaya were four sons born from Shibi. Of Titikshu there was one called Rushadratha from whom there was Hom who begot Sutapa. Bali was Sutapa’s son. Headed by Anga, Vanga and Kalinga were Suhma, Pundra and Odra known as being born from Dirghatma in the wife of the great conqueror Bali. It were their names that were given to the six states they created in the East [of India]. From Anga came Khalpan into existence and from him appeared thereafter Divirath. From Dharmarath, his son, was Chitrarath born, celebrated as Rompad. Rompad had no son and thus gave to his friend Dashrath, Shanta, his own daughter [to be adopted], who then married Rishyashringa a hermit who lived in the forest. On behalf of the king, Rishyashringa established a Marutvan [son-giving] sacrifice so that Dashrath [as the father-in-law] was delivered a child. And so did Rompad, sonless, indeed achieve offspring; he got Chaturanga who then had Prithulaksh for his son. Brihadrath, Brihatkarma and Brihadbhanu were his sons. From the eldest [Brihadratha] was there Brihanmana and from him was there the one celebrated as Jayadrath. Vijay with him born from Sambhuti had thereafter Dhriti and from him took Dhritavrat his birth, of whom came Satkarma who had Adhirath. He, bathing at the bank of the Ganges found in a basket the baby that was abandoned by Kuntî because it was born before she was married. Being sonless he adopted it as his son [Karna]. Vrishasen was Karna’s son.