Chapter 24 - The History of the Race of Yadu

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Introductory:

The genealogies of the royal houses described in this chapter are given in order to clarify their mutual relations: They are the successors to the throne, not necessarily the sons of the predecessor

(1) Cedi (Vaidarbhas or Kaiśikas)

Vidarbha—>Kuśa—>Romapāda—>Babhru—>Kṛti—>Uśika—> Cedi—> Caidya etc.

(2) Cedi-pa-s (Vāsavas or Cedipas)

Vasu-Uparicara—>Cedipa or Pratyagra—>Damaghoṣa—>Śiśupāla—>Dhṛṣṭaketu.

(3) Yādavas

Vidarbha—>Kratha—>Kunti—>Dhṛṣṭi—>Nivṛti—>Daśārha—>Vyoman—>Jīmūta—> Vikṛti—> Bhīmaratha—> Navaratha—> Daśaratha—>Śakuni—> Karambi—>Devarāta—>Devakṣatra—>Madhu—> Kuruvaśa—> Puruhotra—> Anu I—Āyu—>Sātvata.

(4) Sātvatas

Sātvata—>Andhaka I—> Kukura—>Vahni—>Kapotaroman—> Viloman—>Anu II—>Andhaka II—>Dundubhi—> Aridyota—> Punarvasu—>Āhuka—Ugrasena—>Kaṃsa

(5) Satvatas

Sātvata—> Mahābhoja—> Bhajamāna II—> Vidūratha—> Śūra I—> Śini—>Svayambhoja—>Hṛḍika—Devamīḍha—>Śūra II—>Vasudeva—>Kṛṣṇa

(6) Vṛṣṇis

Vṛṣṇi I married to Gāndhārī >Sumitra—>Nimna—Satrājit—[Prasena]
Bhaṅgakāra—>Sabhākṣa.
Vṛṣṇi I married to Mādrī >Yudhājit—>Vṛṣṇi II (Pṛṣṇi)
[Śvaphalka] [Citraka]
[Akrūra etc.] [Pṛthu etc.]
Vṛṣṇi I—>Devamīḍha—>Śūra II—> Vasudeva—> Kṛṣṇa—> Sāmba—> Vajra.
Vṛṣṇi—>Śini II—>Satyaka—>Yuyudhāna—>Jaya—> Kuṇi—> Asaṅga—> Yugandhara.
Vṛṣṇi I—Śini I.

Śrī Śuka said:

1. Vidarbha begot on her (Bhojyā) two sons by name Kuśa and Kratha, and the third one Ṛomapāda who was the delight of the Vidarbha family.

2. Romapāda’s son was Babhru, from whom was born Kṛti. His son was Uśika from whom proceeded (the line of) kings like Caidya and others (i.e. Damaghoṣa etc.)

3. Kratha (the second son of Vidarbha) had a son called Kunti, from whom was born Dhṛṣṭi (Vṛṣṇi) whose son was Nirvṛti (Vidhṛti). From him sprang a son named Daśārha, whose son was Vyoma.

4. His son was Jīmūta whose son was Vikṛti, the father of Bhīmaratha. His son was Navaratha, from whom was born Daśaratha.

5. From his son Śakuni was born Kerambhi from whose loins appeared Devarāta. His son was Devakṣatra. From him was born Madhu, whose son was Kuruvaśa of whom was born Anu.

6-8. Anu’s son was Puruhotra whose son was Āyu from whom Sātvata was born. Sātvata had seven sons—Bhajamāna, Bhaji, Dīpta, Vṛṣṇi, Devavṛdha, Andhaka, Mahābhoja, Oh noble king! Bhajamāna’s sons were Nimloci, Kiṅkiṇī and Dhṛṣṭi, through one wife, while by another wife, he had three sons viz. Śatājit, Sahasrājit and Ayutājit, Oh Lord.

9-11. Babhru was the son of Devāvṛdha in eulogizing whom the following couplet is recited:

“Just as we hear from far afar, so we see (them) from near. Babhru is the greatest among human beings while Devāvṛdha is just like gods (lit. equal in comparison with gods). Through the spiritual guidance of Babhru and Devāvṛdha fourteen thousand and sixty-five men attained immortality (liberation from saṃsāra.)”

Mahābhoja (the seventh son of Sātvata) was pious, and religious-minded. Kings born in his family-line were (known as) Bhojas.

12. Vṛṣṇi’s son was Sumitra, whose son was Yudhājit, Oh chastiser of enemies. His son was Śini who had Anamitra as his son. From Anamitra appeared Nimna.

13. Satrājit and Prasena were the two sons of Nimna. Another Śini, a son of Anamitra had a son Satyaka.

14. Satyaka’s son was Yuyudhāna whose son was Jaya from whom was born Kuṇi. His son was Yugandhara. Anamitra had another son named Vṛṣṇi.

15. Vṛṣṇi had two sons—Śvaphalka and Citraratha. Śvaphalka begot on Gandinī twelve famous sons (in addition to Akrūra), but Akrūra was the foremost of them all.

16-17. (The names of those sons are:) Āsaṅga, Sārameya, Mṛdura, Mṛduvid, Giri, Dharmavṛddha, Sukarmā, Kṣetropekṣa, Arimardana, Śatrughna, Gandhamāda and Pratibāhu. They had a sister called Sucīrā. Akrūra also had two sons—

18. Viz. Devavān and Upadeva. Citraratha had sons such as Pṛthu, Vidūra and many others—all descendants of Vṛṣṇi.

19. Andhaka^[1] had four sons: Kukura, Bhajamāna, Śuci and Kambalabarhiṣa. Kukura’s son was Vahni, whose son was Viloma.

20. He had a son Kapotaroma whose son was Anu. His friend was Tumbaru (the famous celestial musician. From Anu was born Andhaka, from whom was born Dundubhi. His son was Aridyota, the father of Punarvasu.

21. Punarvasu had a son called Āhuka, and a daughter named Āhukī. Āhuka’s sons were Devaka and Ugrasena. Devaka had four sons:

22. Viz. Devavān, Upadeva, Sudeva, Devavardhana. They had seven sisters such as Dhṛtadevā and others, Oh King!

23. (In addition to Dhṛtadevā) the sisters were Śāntidevā, Upadevā, Śrīdevā, Devarakṣitā, Sahadevā and Devakī all of whom Vasudeva (Kṛṣṇa’s father) married.

24. Kaṃsa, Sunāma, Nyagrodha, Kaṅka, Śaṅku, Suhū, Rāṣṭrapāla, Śṛṣṭi [Sṛṣṭi?] and Tuṣṭimān were the sons of Ugrasena.

25. The daughters of Ugrasena were Kaṃsā, Kaṃsāvatī, Kaṅkā, Śarabhū, Rāṣṭrapālikā, and they were the wives of Vasudeva’s younger brothers.

26. Śūra was born of Vidūratha (the son of Citraratha). His son was Bhajamāna of whom was born Śini. From him was born Svayambhoja whose son was Hṛdika.

27. Hṛdika’s sons were Devabāhu, Śatadhanu, and Kṛtavarmā. Śūra (Śūrasena) was the son of Devamīḍha (who, as explained by Bhāvāratha Dīpikā on the strength of Parāśara i.e. Viṣṇu Purāṇa to be the fourth son of Hṛdika^[2]). Māriṣā was Śūra’s wife.

28-30. He begot on her ten sons of spotless character viz. Vasudeva, Devabhāga, Devaśravas, Anaka, Sṛñjaya, Śyāmaka, Kaṅka, Śamīka, Vatsaka, Vṛka. They call Vasudeva, the father of Hari (lit. the source of Hari’s birth), as Anakadundubhi, as the celestial kettledrums (dundubhis) and still bigger drums (Ānakas) were sounded at his (auspicious) birth. And their five sisters Pṛthā, Śrutadevā, Śrutakīrti, Śrutaśravas.

31. And Rājādhidevī were his five daughters. (Pṛthā’s) father Śūra gave her in adoption to his friend Kunti who was childless,

32. From the sage Durvāsas whom she pleased (by her services), she obtained the lore (mantras) of invoking gods (Devahutī Vidyā). For testing the efficacy of that lore, she invoked the lustrous sun.

33. She was astounded to see the (sun)-god appearing instantly in her presence. (Being embarrassed, apologetically) she said, “It is just for testing the efficacy of the lore that the mantra was used. Excuse me, Oh god, and (kindly) go your way.”

34. ‘The sight of gods is never fruitless, Oh lady! I shall beget a son for you, and see to it that your virginity is unimpaired, Oh girl of beautiful waist!’

35. Assuring her thus, the sun-god impregnated her and returned to the firmament. She instantly gave birth to a son who was (brilliant) like another sun.

36. Being afraid of a public censure, she abandoned him (in a box) in the river. Your really valorous great grandfather Pāṇḍu married her.

37. Vṛddhaśarmā of Kāruṣa dynasty married Śrutadevā of whom was born Dantavakra, one of the Diti’s sons (viz. Hiraṇyākṣa) who was formerly attendant of god Viṣṇu, called Vijaya but cursed by the sage (Sanaka).

38. Dhṛṣṭaketu of Kekaya family wedded Śrutakīrti and had five sons in the Kekaya family.

39. Jayasena begot by Rājādhidevī two sons viz. Vinda and Anuvinda. Damaghoṣa, the king of Cedi, married Śrutaśravā.

40. Śiśupāla was her (Śrutaśravā’s) son. Thus the (account of his) birth is narrated. By Kaṃsā, Devabhāga had two sons, Citraketu and Bṛhadbala.

41. Devaśravas had by Kaṃsavatī two sons—Suvīra and Iṣumān, while Ānaka begot on Kaṅkā (two sons viz.) Satyajit and Purujit.

42. Sṛñjaya procreated from Rāṣṭrapālī, Vṛṣa, Durmarṣaṇa and other sons, while Śyāmaka had Harikeśa and Hiraṇyākṣa by Śūrabhūmī.

43. Vatsaka begot on a celestial nymph Miśrakeśī, Vṛka and other sons, while Vṛka had by his wife Durvākṣī sons such as Takṣa. Puṣkara, Śāla and others.

44. By Sudāminī, Śamīka had Sumitra, Arjunapāla and other sons, while Kaṅka begot on Karṇikā, Ṛtadhāman and Jaya.

45. Ānakadundubhi (Vasudeva) had Pauravī, Rohiṇī, Bhadrā, Madirā, Rocanā, Ilā and Devakī (and others) as wives. Out of them Devakī was prominent.

46. By Rohiṇī, Vasudeva procreated Bala, Gada, Sāraṇa, Durmada, Vipula, Dhruva, as well as Kṛta and others.

47. Vasudeva’s sons by Pauravī were Subhadra, Bhadravāha, Durmada, Bhadra as well as others beginning with. Bhūta, all together being twelve (in number).

48. Nanda, Upananda, Kṛtaka, Śūra and others were the children of (Vasudeva’s wife) Madirā, while Kausalyā gave birth to one son Keśin, the delight of his family.

49. Rocanā bore (to Vasudeva) Hasta, Hemāṅgada and other sons. He begot on Ilā, Uruvalka and other chiefs of Yadus.

50. Ānakadundubhi (Vasudeva) had only one son Vipṛṣṭha from Dhṛtadevā, while the sons of Sāntidevā [Śāntidevā?] were Śrama, Pratiśruta and others, Oh king!

51. Ten kings beginning with Kalpavarṣa were the sons of Upadevā; while Śrīdevā had six sons viz. Vasu, Haṃsa, Suvaṃśa and (three) others.

52-53. By Devarakṣitā, he got nine sons such as Gada and others. While he begot eight sons on Sahadevā. Of them, Puruviśruta was most prominent. Just as God Dharma procreated eight Vasus, the noble-minded Vasudeva begot on Devakī eight sons.

54. They were Kīrtimat, Suṣeṇa, Bhadrasena, Ṛju, Sammardana, Bhadra and Saṅkarṣaṇa who was Śeṣa, the Lord of Serpents.

55. Their eighth son was verily Lord Hari himself. And the highly fortunate Subhadrā, your grand mother was their daughter, Oh King!

56. Whenever there is deterioration in righteousness and waxing of sinfulness, the glorious Lord Hari incarnates himself.^[3]

57. Oh King! No cause except his will-power (Māyā) can be attributed for the appearance or deeds of the Lord who is the all-pervading Lord of the universe, the Supreme- most, detached and impartial Witness.

58. The activity of the Lord through his Māyā brings about the birth, continuation and destruction of the jīva (an embodied soul). The recession of Māyā is his Grace, which leads to self-realization.

59. He endeavoured to lighten the burden of the earth which was being over-run by Asuras in the guise of kings leading Akṣauhiṇīs of army.

60. The glorious Lord Viṣṇu (Slayer of demon Madhu) accompanied by Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma) achieved feats which the Lords of gods could not comprehend, even by thought or imagination.

61. For conferring grace on his devotees, he spread his hallowing glory which will also remove the misery, sorrow and ignorance of those who will be born in (the impending) Kali age.

62. Having but once slightly tasted with the joined palms in the form of ears, from the sacred-most stream of his glory, which is sweet like nectar to the ears of the righteous people, a person shakes himself free from tendencies to Karmas.

63-64. Lord Kṛṣṇa whose sportive acts were ever eulogised by (the members of the clans like) Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas, Madhus, Śūrasenas and Daśārhas as well as Kauravas, Sṛñjayas and Pāṇḍavas, delighted the entire humanity with his affectionate smiles and glances, with his sublime speech and his valorous sportive actions and personality, charming in every respect.

65. Drinking (as it were) with their eyes, his countenance appearing most beautiful with ears ornamented with alligator-shaped ear-rings and with brilliant cheeks, a face beaming with graceful sportive smiles, an eternal seat of ecstasy—men and women^[4] steeped in delight, are never satiated but grow angry with Nimi (who causes winking and thus deprives them of their happiness and joy).

66. He manifested himself with his own form, but later on assuming the human form, he went from his father’s house to Vraja. He enhanced its prosperity. He killed all the enemies; he married a number of wives and begot hundreds of sons through them. He worshipped the Supreme person (who is himself) by performing numerous sacrifices, and promulgated thereby the Vedic path that leads to him, amongst the people.

67. Desiring to reduce the heavy burden of the earth, he struck down with his glance the legions of kings in the battle resulting from the internal feuds of the Kuru clans, but (gave credit of victory to Arjuna) by proclaiming the victory (as if) won by Arjuna; he then enlightened Uddhava in the secrets of the highest Truth, and retired to his Supreme Abode.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

On the strength of Viṣṇu Purāṇa 4.14.12 Bhāvāratha Dīpikā gives the name Andhaka, though Bhāgavata Purāṇa does not mention his name.

[2]:

The name however does not appear in the text of the Viṣṇu Purāṇa 4.14.24 in the Gita Press edition. Saṃvat 2026. But Bhāvāratha Dīpikā clearly states:

devamīḍhasya yaḥ śūro nāma putras tasya devamīḍho hṛdikasyaiva sutas tathā'ha parāśaraḥ /

And quotes Viṣṇu Purāṇa 4.14.24 etc.

[3]:

Cf. yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata /
abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṃ sṛjāmyaham // Bh. GĪTĀ

[4]:

VC. insists that these were cowherd women of Vṛṇdāvana and not others, and men were Kṛṣṇa’s mates like Subala and quotes Ujjvala- nīlamaṇi as an authority on this.