Lunar dynasty

In Hindu mythology, the Lunar dynasty (also known as Somavansha, Chandravansha and as Ailas) is one of the four principal houses of the Kshatriya varna, or warrior–ruling caste.This legendary dynasty was descended from the moon (Soma or Chandra), while the other principal houses, the Solar Dynasty (Suryavanshi) claims descent from the sun (surya),[1]

According to the Mahabharata, the dynasty's progenitor Ila ruled from Pratishthana, while his son Shashabindu ruled in the country of Bahli.[2]

The great sage Vishvamitra the son of king Gadhi of Kanya Kubja dynasty was a descendant of Amavasu son of Pururava of Chandravansha clan.[3]

The Ailas also known as Chandravanshis were a dynasty of kings of ancient India. Pururavas, the son of Ila was the founder of this dynasty. The Mahabharata (Sabha Parva:14) mentioned about the Ailas as, "The numerous royal lines and other ordinary Kshatriyas all represent themselves to be the descendants of Aila and Ikshvaku. The descendants of Aila, as indeed, the kings of Ikshwaku’s race, are each divided into a hundred separate dynasties." Aila is a synonym of Pururavas meaning son of Ila.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Paliwal, B. B. (2005). Message of the Purans. Diamond Pocket Books Ltd. p. 21. ISBN 978-8-12881-174-6.
  2. ↑ Doniger, Wendy (1999). Splitting the difference: gender and myth in ancient Greece and India. University of Chicago Press. p. 273. ISBN 978-0-226-15641-5. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  3. ↑ A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature. Trübner & Company. 1879. p. 364.
  4. ↑ Encyclopaedia of the Hindu world, Volume 1 By Gaṅgā Rām Garg
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.