Chandravanshi
Chandravanshi refers to a person belonging to Lunar dynasty of ancient India. The Chandravanshi clan is also an ancient Kshatriya (warrior) dynasty of Rajputs[1][2] of India.[3] They are said to be descendants from the Moon (Chandra). The term Chandravanshi literally means Descendants of the Moon in Sanskrit. The Hindu God Krishna is believed to be born in the Yaduvansh branch of the Lunar dynasty.[4]
According to the Shatapatha Brahmana, Pururavas was the son of Buddha (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 Vedic tribes as described in the Vedas.
According to the Mahabharata, the dynasty's progenitor Ila ruled from Prayag, and had a son Shashabindu who ruled in the country of Bahli. The son of Ila and Budha was Pururavas who became the first Chandravanshi emperor of the planet. Ila's descendants were also known as the Ailas
In Hindu texts, the Kurukshetra war that forms the subject of the Indian Epic Mahabharata, 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.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Experts, Disha (2021-08-01). Indian History, Culture & Panorama Quick Revision Material for UPSC & State PSC General Studies Exams. Disha Publications. ISBN 978-93-91025-04-5.
- ↑ Series-16 Indian History–Medieval India. Upkar Prakashan.
- ↑ Tomar, Vikas (2020-11-19). Ruler's Creed. Partridge Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4828-7166-1.
- ↑ Experts, Disha (2018-12-17). The History Compendium for IAS Prelims General Studies Paper 1 & State PSC Exams 3rd Edition. Disha Publications. ISBN 978-93-88373-03-6.
