Story of Akrūra

Genealogy.

Descended from Viṣṇu in the following order: Brahmā-Atri-Candra-Budha-Purūravas-Āyus-Nahuṣa-Yayāti-Yadu (Chapter XII of Agni Purāṇa). Descending from Yadu in order were Sahasrajit-Śatajit-Hehaya-Dharma-Kunti-Bhadrasena-Dhanaka-Kṛtavīrya Kārttavīryārjuna-Madhu-Vṛṣṇi (Chapter XXIII of Navama Skandha, Bhāgavata). The Vṛṣṇi dynasty begins and from Vṛṣṇi in order descended Yudhājit-Śini-Satyaka-Sātyaki-Jaya-Kuṇi-Anamitra-Pṛśni-Śvaphalka-Akrūra. (Chapter XXIV of Navama Skandha, Bhāgavata).

Birth.

Śvaphalka of the Vṛṣṇi dynasty married Nandinī, daughter of the King of Kāśī and Akrūra was born to them. Akrūra was an uncle of Śrī Kṛṣṇa but is respected more as a worshipper of Kṛṣṇa.

Other details.

(1) He became famous as a commander of the Yādava army. (Chapter 220 of Ādi Parva, Mahābhārata).

(2) Akrūra was also present for the Śvayaṃvara (wedding) of Pāñcālī. (Śloka 18, Chapter 185 of Ādi Parva, Mahābhārata).

(3) At the time of Arjuna’s eloping with Subhadrā, a grand festival was going on in the Raivata mountain and Akrūra was partaking in the same. (Śloka 10, Chapter 218, Ādi Parva, Mahābhārata).

(4) Akrūra accompanied Kṛṣṇa with the dowry intended for Subhadrā. (Śloka 29, Chapter 220, Ādi Parva, Mahābhārata).

(5) Akrūra came to the country called Upaplavya for attending the marriage of Abhimanyu. (Śloka 22, Chapter 72, Virāṭa Parva, Mahābhārata).

(6) Akrūra and Āhuka always quarrelled with each other both alleging that the other sided with the opposite camp of Kṛṣṇa. (Ślokas 9 to 11, Chapter 81, Śānti Parva, Mahābhārata).

(7) Kaṃsa planning to kill Balabhadrarāma and Śrī Kṛṣṇa conducted a festival called Cāpapūjā (worship of the bow). It was Akrūra whom Kaṃsa sent to bring Balabhadra and Kṛṣṇa for the festival. Akrūra understood the plot, informed Kṛṣṇa about it and also advised Kṛṣṇa to kill Kaṃsa. (Daśama Skandha, Bhāgavata).

(8) Akrūra fought against Jarāsandha on the side of Kṛṣṇa. (Daśama Skandha).

(9) On another occasion Kṛṣṇa, Balabhadra and Uddhava sent Akrūra to Hastināpura to get tidings about Kuntī and the Pāṇḍavas. Akrūra met his sister Kuntī and talked to her for a long time and also met Dhṛtarāṣṭra and talked to him after which he returned to Dvārakā. (Daśama Skandha).

(10) Akrūra went to Hastināpura as a messenger from Śrī Kṛṣṇa. (Refer sub-para 3 of para 13 under Kṛṣṇa).

Domestic life.

Akrūra married Sutanū, daughter of Āhuka and got two sons named Devaka and Upadevaka. (Navama Skandha).

Syamantaka and Akrūra.

Refer para 2 under the word Kṛtavarmā.