Lunar dynasty

The Lunar dynasty (IAST: Candravaṃśa) is a legendary principal house of the Kshatriyas varna, or warrior–ruling caste mentioned in the ancient Indian texts. This legendary dynasty was said to be descended from moon-related deities (Soma or Lunar).[1] The Hindu deity Krishna is believed to have been born in the Yaduvamsha branch of the Lunar dynasty.

"Somavanshi" redirects here. For the dynasty of present-day Odisha, see Somavamshi dynasty.

Lunar Dynasty
CapitalMathura, Hastinapura
Common languagesSanskrit
Religion
Hinduism
GovernmentMonarchy
Monarch 

According to the Shatapatha Brahmana, Pururavas was the son of Budha (himself often described as the son of Soma) and the gender-switching deity Ila (born as the daughter of Manu).[2] Pururavas's great-grandson was Yayati, who had five sons named Yadu, Turvasu, Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. These seem to be the names of five Vedic tribes as described in the Vedas.[3]

According to the Mahabharata, Lunar dynasty's progenitor Ila ruled from Prayaga, and had a son Shashabindu who ruled in the country of Bahli.[4] The son of Ila and Budha was Pururavas who became the first Chandravamsha emperor of the entirety of the earth. Ila's descendants were also known as the Ailas.[5]

Chandravamsha Family Tree

In Mahabharata
Main article: Kuru Kingdom
See also: Mahabharata and Kurukshetra War

In Hindu texts, the Kurukshetra War, which forms the subject of the Indian epic Mahabharata, was largely fought between rival branches of the Lunar dynasty, famously resulting in Arjuna's turn away from war and the reprimand of his mentor Krishna. Krishna reminds Arjuna that dharma stands above everything, and the text forms an integral cultural cornerstone for all four Kshatriya houses.

By the conclusion of the Kurukshetra War, most of the Yaduvamsha lineage is in peril. The sinking of Dvārakā sees the destruction of the entire Yaduvamsha lineage, with the exception of Vajra, who was saved by Arjuna, and later becomes the King of Mathura.

Branches and rulers of dynasty
Main article: Puru and Yadu Dynasties
See also: Turvasu Druhyu and Anu Dynasties

See also

References
  1. Paliwal, B. B. (2005). Message of the Purans. Diamond Pocket Books Ltd. p. 21. ISBN 978-8-12881-174-6.
  2. Thapar 2013, p. 308.
  3. A. K. Warder (1972). An Introduction to Indian Historiography. Popular Prakashan. pp. 21–22.
  4. 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.
  5. Encyclopaedia of the Hindu world, Volume 1 by Gaṅgā Rām Garg

Sources
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