Lunar dynasty (IAST: Candravaṃśa or Somavaṃśa in Sanskrit) is a legendary principal house of the Kshatriya 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 Chandra). The Hindu deity Krishna is believed to be born in the Yaduvansh branch of Lunar dynasty.
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). 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 Indo-Aryan tribes as described in the Vedas.
According to the Mahabharata, the dynasty’s progenitor Ila ruled from Prayag, & had a son Shashabindu who ruled in the country of Bahli. Ila’s descendants were also known as the Ailas or Chandravansha.
Contents
- In Mahabharata
- References
- Citations
- Sources
- External links
In Mahabharata
In Hindu texts, the Kurukshetra war that form the subject of the Indian Epic Mahabarata, was largely fought between rival branches of the Lunar Dynasty, famously resulting in the hesitation of Arjuna 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 Yadhuvanshi lineage is in peril. The sinking of Dwarka sees the destruction of the entire Yaduvanshi lineage with the exception of Vajranabh who was saved by Arjuna & later becomes the King of Mathura. As the only surviving grandson of Krishna all branches claiming descent from Krishna descend through him.