Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Shurasena included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana’).
Story of Śūrasena
A King of Yaduvaṃśa.
General.
Śūrasena’s kingdom was Mathurāpurī. This country was originally ruled by Kings of the Solar dynasty. Devī Bhāgavata, 4th Skandha explains how the Yādava Kings came to rule over Mathurā.
There was a region called Madhuvanam in the Kālindī river valley. Madhu, the Asura, who lived in Madhuvana had a son named Lavaṇa. Lavaṇa who was a tyrant and an oppressor of the gods, was killed by Śatrughna who established his rule there. In course of time, the place came to be known as "Madhurā". After Śatrughna’s time his two sons ruled over the country. Thus the Solar dynasty came to an end and Mathurā purī came under the rule of Yadus. The first King of Yaduvaṃśa was Śūrasena. Vasudeva, father of Śrī Kṛṣṇa was the son of this Śūrasena. After the death of his father, since Vasudeva took up the occupation of tending cows, Ugrasena became King there. Kaṃsa was the son of this Ugrasena.
Other details.
(i) Śūrasena’s daughter Kuntī was adopted and brought up by the king named Kuntibhoja. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Refer Chapters 67, 109 and 110).
(ii) Devamīḍha, father of Śūrasena had another name, "Citraratha". (Mahābhārata Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 147, Verse 29).