Lunar dynasty

According to Hindu mythology, the Lunar dynasty (IAST: Candravaṃśa or Somavaṃśa in Sanskrit) is one of the principal houses of the Kshatriya varna, or warrior–ruling caste. This legendary dynasty was said to be descended from moon-related deities (Soma or Chandra).[1]

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

Chandravansh Dynasty

10th century BCE
Kingdom of Kuru
CapitalPratisthan, Mathura, Hastinapur
Common languagesSanskrit
Religion
Hinduism
GovernmentMonarchy
Monarch 
History 
• Established
10th century BCE
Today part ofIndia

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 Indo-Aryan tribes as described in the Vedas.[3]

According to the Mahabharata, the dynasty's progenitor Ila ruled from Prayag, and had a son Shashabindu who ruled in the country of Bahli.[4] Ila's descendants were also known as the Ailas or Chandravansha.[5]

In Mahabarata

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 almost the entire Yaduvanshi lineage, with the exception of few. Vajra, the great-grandson of Krishna, is crowned as the king of Indraprastha by the Pandavas. Other survivors are also given certain positions by them.

References

Citations
  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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