Lunar Dynasty
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In Hindu mythology, the Lunar Dynasty (Chandra-vanshi or Soma-vanshi) is one of the two principal houses of the Kshatriya Varna, or ruling caste. The Lunar Dynasty claims descent from the Moon (Soma), while the other principal house, the Solar Dynasty (Surya-vanshi) claims descent from the Sun (Surya).
The Chandra-vanshi lineage is one of the three lineages into which the Kshatriya caste of Hindus is divided, the other two being the Suryavanshi and the Agnivanshi, descended from Agni. According to legend, the Chandra-vanshis are descended from Chandra,in theLunar Dynasty or the Hindu Moon God.
The Yaduvanshi lineage is the major branch of the Chandra-vanshi lineage. The Yaduvanshis claim descent from the Hindu God Krishna, who in turn was born into a Chandra-vanshi dynasty. Chandela Rajput dynasty who built Khajuraho were Chandra-vanshis. The Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri also traced their ancestry back to the Chandra-vanshi or "lunar branch".[1]
[edit] Kings of the Lunar Dynasty
According to Puranic legend the kings in the Lunar Dynasty were:
- Soma (or Chandra), son of Atri (father) and Bhadra (mother). Once he kidnapped Tara, the wife of Brihaspati, and did not return her despite the requests of the Devas, upon which a war known as Devasur Sangram ensued. Soma returned Tara afterward, although he had a son by Tara, named Budha.
- Budha, also called Rajputra, married Ila, the daughter of Suryavanshi Manu.
- Pururawa
- Ayu
- Nahusha
- Yayati was an important king of this dynasty. His eldest son was Yadu, ancestor of the Yadavs. According to theHarivamsa, Krishna was born in the dynasty of Yadu, and was therefore known as Yadav.
- Sini or Rajan Saini and Satyaki (who founded the Saini Vansha of the Sura-Sena, which is one of the eleven Vanshas of Krishna).
- Puru
- Janmejaya
- Prachinvan
- Praveer
- Manusth
- Abhayad
- Sundhawa
- Bahugavi
- Sanyati
- Ahyati
- Rodrashwa
- Richeyu
- Matinar
- Sumati
- Ilin
- Dushyanta married Shakuntala, the daughter of sage Vishvamitra and the Apsara Menaka. Kalidasa wrote the epic Abhijñānashākuntala on the life of Dushyanta
- Bharata, son of Dushyanta and Shakuntala. India was named "Bharata" after him.
- Bhumanyu
- Vrihatkshatra
- Suhotra
- Hasti
- Ajmeedh
- Riksha
- Sanwaran
- Kuru, founder of the city of Kurukshetra.
After Kuru the order of succeeding kings is not in Vishnu Purana, Bramha Purana, Bhagwata and Mahabharata. They include
- Abhishyantu
- Parikshit
- Janmejaya
- Surath
- Vidurath
- Riksh II
- Bhimsen
- Prateep
- Shantanu married firstly Ganga and secondly Satyavati. According the condition of marriage of Satyavati, her son Vichitravirya became the next king.
- Vichitravirya
- Bhishma (regent)
- Pandu
- Dhritrashtra
- Yudhishthira
- Parikshit
- Janamejaya
The history of these kings is found in the epic Mahabharata.
According to Vishnu Purana
- Shatanik I
- Sahastranik
- Ashwameghdutta
- Adhiseemkrishna
- Nichakshu
- Ushna
- Chitrarath
- Shuchidratha
- Vrisnivan
- Susena
- Suneeth
- Ruch
- Nrachakshu
- Sukhibal
- Pariplav
- Sunay
- Meghawi
- Nripanjay
- Durva
- Tigmatma
- Vrihdrith
- Vasudat
- Shatanik II, considered a contemporary of Gautama Buddha (c. 5th century BCE).
- Udayan
- Vahinar
- Dandpani
- Niranibh
- Kshemak
[edit] References
- ^ Robin James Moore. Tradition and Politics in South Asia. 1979. Vikas Publishing House.
[edit] External links
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