THE UNTOLD BLOODLINE OF MAHABHARATA

THE UNTOLD BLOODLINE OF MAHABHARATA

The Lunar Dynasty (Chandravamsa): The Origin

The Mahābhārata’s main families come from the Lunar (Chandra) dynasty — descended from the Moon God (Chandra).

Chandra (Moon God) 

⬇️ 

Budha (son of Chandra and Tara) 

⬇️ 

Pururavas (founder of Aila or Lunar dynasty) 

⬇️ 

Several generations later came 

⬇️ 

Yayati

Yayati and His Sons:

Son	Mother	Dynasty Founded
Yadu	Devayani	Yadava (Krishna’s lineage)
Turvasu	Devayani	Yavana
Druhyu	Sharmishtha	Bhoja
Anu	Sharmishtha	Mleccha
Puru	Sharmishtha	Paurava (Kuru lineage) — main Mahābhārata line

Note:
1. Devayani was one of the sisters of Asur Guru Shukracharya 
2. Sharmishtha daughter of the daitya king Vrishaparvan

Krishna's Origin:

Yadu had 5 wives 

1.Sahasrajit 

2.Kroshtu 

3.Nala 

4. Rivaka 

5. Nrga 

Krosthu was the one whose child Viprithu became the predecessor of lord Krishna 

(Viprithu ➡️ Viloma ➡️ Anu ➡️ Puruhotra ➡️ Ayu ➡️ Sātvata)

Note:
1. Devayani was one of the sisters of Asur Guru Shukracharya 
2. Sharmishtha daughter of the daitya king Vrishaparvan

 

Family of Vasudeva:

Vasudeva had many wives:

• Devaki 
• Mother of Krishna
• Mother of Balarama (Transferred womb to Rohini)
• Mother of six sons killed by Kamsa
• Rohini (mother of Balarama, Subhadra, and others)
• Mother of Subhadra (Later became the Mother of Abhimanyu)
• Mother of Balarama (Transferred womb from Devaki)
• Others
• Several other wives (total traditionally 8)

 Note:

1. Krishna's foster parents were Nanda and Yashoda

2. Nanda was a close kinsman and friend of Vasudeva. Some texts suggest they were step-brothers.

3. When King Kamsa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva, Rohini was not in the prison. She was living in the home of Nanda and Yashoda in Gokul for her protection. At that time she gave birth to Balarama

4. Subhadra was born much later than Krishna and Balarama, after Kamsa had been killed and her father, Vasudeva, was freed from prison.

The Origin of Pandavas and Kauravas:

Note:

1. King Hasti (Son of Suhotra) has the founder of the city of Hastinapur

2. Kurukshetra is named after King Kuru, a legendary ancestor of the Pandavas and Kauravas. The name means "Kuru's land,"

3. Dhritarashtra mentioned here is not the father of Kauravas

4. India aka Bharat aka Bharatvarsha is named after King Bharat of the Kuru dynasty

King Shantanu’s Family:

Shantanu had two wives:

• Ganga (River Goddess)
• Son: Devavrata (Bhishma) — took vow of celibacy.

• Satyavati (fisherwoman, daughter of Dāśarāja)
• Sons:
• Chitrāngada (killed young)
• Vichitravīrya (died childless)

 

Vyasa’s Connection (Niyoga tradition)

Satyavati was earlier the wife of Parashara Muni the mother of Sage Vyasa (from sage Parashara).

After Vichitravīrya died without heirs, Satyavati asked Vyasa to produce sons with Vichitravīrya’s widows by niyoga (levirate system).

Vichitravīrya’s widows married by Sage Vyasa:

• Ambika → gave birth to Dhritarashtra (born blind)
• Ambalika → gave birth to Pandu (pale and weak)
• Maid-servant → gave birth to Vidura (wise but not royal heir)

Thus:
Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura were half-brothers.

 

Next Generation:

1. Dhritarashtra (blind king)

• Married Gandhari (princess of Gandhara).
• They had 100 sons (and 1 daughter, Duhsala).
• The eldest was Duryodhana.
• The Kauravas also had a sister, Duhsala.
  
• Yuyutsu was the son of King Dhritarashtra, born to a concubine who serves as a maid to Dhritarashtra's queen, Gandhari. His birth occurred after Gandhari failed to give birth to a child after a year, despite her pregnancy. Dhritarashtra, consumed by his desire for an heir, turned to her maid, who was not of the warrior caste and not married to him, and their union resulted in Yuyutsu.
• These 100 brothers are collectively called Kauravas.

2. Pandu (younger brother)

• Had two wives — Kunti and Madri.
• Due to a curse, he couldn’t have children physically, so the wives invoked gods for divine sons.

Children of Kunti:

Son	Invoked God	Note
Yudhishthira	Dharma (Yama)	Virtuous, eldest Pandava
Bhima	Vayu (Wind)	Mighty, strongest
Arjuna	Indra (King of Gods)	Skilled archer

Children of Madri:

Son	Invoked God	Note
Nakula	Ashwini Twin 1	Handsome, horse expert
Sahadeva	Ashwini Twin 2	Wise, astrologer

Note: Nakula and Sahadeva were twins

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