Turvasu; 5 Definition(s)

Introduction

Turvasu means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Turvasu (तुर्वसु):—One of the sons of Yayāti (one of the six sons of Nahuṣa) and Devayānī (daughter of Śukrācārya). (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.18.33)

Turvasu (तुर्वसु).—A son born to Yayāti of his wife Devayānī. Yayāti had two wives Śarmiṣṭhā and Devayānī. Of Śarmiṣṭhā, Yayātī had three sons named Druhyu, Anudruhyu and Pūru and of Devayānī, two sons named Yadu and Turvasu.

Once Yayāti called all his five sons to his side and asked them if any one of them would be willing to exchange his youth with his father’s old age. All the four refused but Pūru agreed to accede to his father’s request. Yayāti then cursed Turvasu and all the other three. (See under Yayāti).

1a) Turvasu (तुर्वसु).—A son of Yayāti and Devayānī; refused to part with his youth to his father; he was therefore cursed to have no issue and to live a king among the wicked and low tribes and Mlecchas; became overlord of the Mlecchas in the western part of the kingdom. His son was Vahni.¹ His line became merged with the Paurava line, during the time of Marutta.² Equal to Viṣṇu; father of Garbha; Yavanas take their origin from him,³ got the south-east of the kingdom, when his father retired to the forest.⁴

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 18. 33 and 41; 19. 22; 23. 16; Matsya-purāṇa 24. 53; Vāyu-purāṇa 93. 16.
• 2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 68. 16, 40, 50; 73. 126; 74. 1 and 4; Matsya-purāṇa 33. 9-11; Vāyu-purāṇa 99. 1-4.
• 3) Matsya-purāṇa 32. 9; 34. 30; 48. 1.
• 4) Vāyu-purāṇa 93. 39-44, 89.

1b) A son of Devayānī and Yadu?^*

• * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa I. 1. 132; Vāyu-purāṇa 1. 141.

Turvasu (तुर्वसु) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.70.32) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Turvasu) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

India history and geogprahy

Probably, Greek “Xuthus” was identical with Indian “Turvasu”. According to Puranic sources, Yavanas were the cursed sons of King Turvasu, the son of Chandravamsi King Yayati. Turvasu had many sons. It appears that some of the sons of Turvasu had already migrated to Western Anatolia and Greece in Pre-Ramayana era and came to be known as Aeolians, Achaeans and Dorians.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

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