Adhyaya 24
Navama SkandhaAdhyaya 2467 Verses

Adhyaya 24

The Yadu–Vṛṣṇi–Andhaka Genealogies and the Purpose of Kṛṣṇa’s Advent

Continuing the dynastic flow of Yadu’s descendants, this adhyāya enumerates key branches—Vidarbha’s line, the Kratha–Kunti–Vṛṣṇi succession, and the Sātvata progeny—establishing the familial matrix from which the Vṛṣṇis, Bhojas, Andhakas, and Śūrasenas arise. It highlights Devāvṛdha and Babhru through traditional stuti-verses, linking lineage with spiritual merit and even liberation for descendants. The chapter then details prominent Yādava lines (Śini, Satyaka, Yuyudhāna) and the Akrūra branch, before focusing on the Andhaka line culminating in Āhuka, Devaka, and Ugrasena—introducing Kaṁsa and the political setting of Kṛṣṇa’s birth. The Śūra–Māriṣā lineage is expanded to Vasudeva (Ānakadundubhi) and his siblings, and Kuntī’s boon from Durvāsā leads to Karṇa’s birth, bridging Bhāgavata genealogy with Mahābhārata history. The narrative culminates in a theological pivot: Kṛṣṇa’s appearance is self-willed, not karma-driven; He descends to relieve the earth’s burden, protect devotees, and make liberation accessible through hearing and remembrance. This sets the transition from ancestry to līlā: from “who begot whom” to “why Bhagavān comes.”

Shlokas

Verse 1

श्रीशुक उवाच तस्यां विदर्भोऽजनयत् पुत्रौ नाम्ना कुशक्रथौ । तृतीयं रोमपादं च विदर्भकुलनन्दनम् ॥ १ ॥

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: By the womb of the girl brought by his father, Vidarbha begot three sons, named Kuśa, Kratha and Romapāda. Romapāda was the favorite in the dynasty of Vidarbha.

Verse 2

रोमपादसुतो बभ्रुर्बभ्रो: कृतिरजायत । उशिकस्तत्सुतस्तस्माच्चेदिश्चैद्यादयो नृपा: ॥ २ ॥

The son of Romapāda was Babhru, from whom there came a son named Kṛti. The son of Kṛti was Uśika, and the son of Uśika was Cedi. From Cedi was born the king known as Caidya and others.

Verse 3

क्रथस्य कुन्ति: पुत्रोऽभूद्वृष्णिस्तस्याथ निर्वृति: । ततो दशार्हो नाम्नाभूत् तस्य व्योम: सुतस्तत: ॥ ३ ॥ जीमूतो विकृतिस्तस्य यस्य भीमरथ: सुत: । ततो नवरथ: पुत्रो जातो दशरथस्तत: ॥ ४ ॥

The son of Kratha was Kunti; the son of Kunti, Vṛṣṇi; the son of Vṛṣṇi, Nirvṛti; and the son of Nirvṛti, Daśārha. From Daśārha came Vyoma; from Vyoma came Jīmūta; from Jīmūta, Vikṛti; from Vikṛti, Bhīmaratha; from Bhīmaratha, Navaratha; and from Navaratha, Daśaratha.

Verse 4

क्रथस्य कुन्ति: पुत्रोऽभूद्वृष्णिस्तस्याथ निर्वृति: । ततो दशार्हो नाम्नाभूत् तस्य व्योम: सुतस्तत: ॥ ३ ॥ जीमूतो विकृतिस्तस्य यस्य भीमरथ: सुत: । ततो नवरथ: पुत्रो जातो दशरथस्तत: ॥ ४ ॥

The son of Kratha was Kunti; the son of Kunti, Vṛṣṇi; the son of Vṛṣṇi, Nirvṛti; and the son of Nirvṛti, Daśārha. From Daśārha came Vyoma; from Vyoma came Jīmūta; from Jīmūta, Vikṛti; from Vikṛti, Bhīmaratha; from Bhīmaratha, Navaratha; and from Navaratha, Daśaratha.

Verse 5

करम्भि: शकुने: पुत्रो देवरातस्तदात्मज: । देवक्षत्रस्ततस्तस्य मधु: कुरुवशादनु: ॥ ५ ॥

From Daśaratha came a son named Śakuni and from Śakuni a son named Karambhi. The son of Karambhi was Devarāta, and his son was Devakṣatra. The son of Devakṣatra was Madhu, and his son was Kuruvaśa, from whom there came a son named Anu.

Verse 6

पुरुहोत्रस्त्वनो: पुत्रस्तस्यायु: सात्वतस्तत: । भजमानो भजिर्दिव्यो वृष्णिर्देवावृधोऽन्धक: ॥ ६ ॥ सात्वतस्य सुता: सप्त महाभोजश्च मारिष । भजमानस्य निम्‍लोचि: किङ्कणो धृष्टिरेव च ॥ ७ ॥ एकस्यामात्मजा: पत्‍न्यामन्यस्यां च त्रय: सुता: । शताजिच्च सहस्राजिदयुताजिदिति प्रभो ॥ ८ ॥

The son of Anu was Puruhotra, the son of Puruhotra was Ayu, and the son of Ayu was Sātvata. O great Āryan King, Sātvata had seven sons, named Bhajamāna, Bhaji, Divya, Vṛṣṇi, Devāvṛdha, Andhaka and Mahābhoja. From Bhajamāna by one wife came three sons — Nimloci, Kiṅkaṇa and Dhṛṣṭi. And from his other wife came three other sons — Śatājit, Sahasrājit and Ayutājit.

Verse 7

पुरुहोत्रस्त्वनो: पुत्रस्तस्यायु: सात्वतस्तत: । भजमानो भजिर्दिव्यो वृष्णिर्देवावृधोऽन्धक: ॥ ६ ॥ सात्वतस्य सुता: सप्त महाभोजश्च मारिष । भजमानस्य निम्‍लोचि: किङ्कणो धृष्टिरेव च ॥ ७ ॥ एकस्यामात्मजा: पत्‍न्यामन्यस्यां च त्रय: सुता: । शताजिच्च सहस्राजिदयुताजिदिति प्रभो ॥ ८ ॥

The son of Anu was Puruhotra, the son of Puruhotra was Ayu, and the son of Ayu was Sātvata. O great Āryan King, Sātvata had seven sons, named Bhajamāna, Bhaji, Divya, Vṛṣṇi, Devāvṛdha, Andhaka and Mahābhoja. From Bhajamāna by one wife came three sons — Nimloci, Kiṅkaṇa and Dhṛṣṭi. And from his other wife came three other sons — Śatājit, Sahasrājit and Ayutājit.

Verse 8

पुरुहोत्रस्त्वनो: पुत्रस्तस्यायु: सात्वतस्तत: । भजमानो भजिर्दिव्यो वृष्णिर्देवावृधोऽन्धक: ॥ ६ ॥ सात्वतस्य सुता: सप्त महाभोजश्च मारिष । भजमानस्य निम्‍लोचि: किङ्कणो धृष्टिरेव च ॥ ७ ॥ एकस्यामात्मजा: पत्‍न्यामन्यस्यां च त्रय: सुता: । शताजिच्च सहस्राजिदयुताजिदिति प्रभो ॥ ८ ॥

The son of Anu was Puruhotra, the son of Puruhotra was Ayu, and the son of Ayu was Sātvata. O great Āryan King, Sātvata had seven sons, named Bhajamāna, Bhaji, Divya, Vṛṣṇi, Devāvṛdha, Andhaka and Mahābhoja. From Bhajamāna by one wife came three sons — Nimloci, Kiṅkaṇa and Dhṛṣṭi. And from his other wife came three other sons — Śatājit, Sahasrājit and Ayutājit.

Verse 9

बभ्रुर्देवावृधसुतस्तयो: श्लोकौ पठन्त्यमू । यथैव श‍ृणुमो दूरात् सम्पश्यामस्तथान्तिकात् ॥ ९ ॥

The son of Devāvṛdha was Babhru. Concerning Devāvṛdha and Babhru there are two famous songs of prayer, which were sung by our predecessors and which we have heard from a distance. Even now I hear the same prayers about their qualities [because that which was heard before is still sung continuously].

Verse 10

बभ्रु: श्रेष्ठो मनुष्याणां देवैर्देवावृध: सम: । पुरुषा: पञ्चषष्टिश्च षट् सहस्राणि चाष्ट च ॥ १० ॥ येऽमृतत्त्वमनुप्राप्ता बभ्रोर्देवावृधादपि । महाभोजोऽतिधर्मात्मा भोजा आसंस्तदन्वये ॥ ११ ॥

“It has been decided that among human beings Babhru is the best and that Devāvṛdha is equal to the demigods. Because of the association of Babhru and Devāvṛdha, all of their descendants, numbering 14,065, achieved liberation.” In the dynasty of King Mahābhoja, who was exceedingly religious, there appeared the Bhoja kings.

Verse 11

बभ्रु: श्रेष्ठो मनुष्याणां देवैर्देवावृध: सम: । पुरुषा: पञ्चषष्टिश्च षट् सहस्राणि चाष्ट च ॥ १० ॥ येऽमृतत्त्वमनुप्राप्ता बभ्रोर्देवावृधादपि । महाभोजोऽतिधर्मात्मा भोजा आसंस्तदन्वये ॥ ११ ॥

“It has been decided that among human beings Babhru is the best and that Devāvṛdha is equal to the demigods. Because of the association of Babhru and Devāvṛdha, all of their descendants, numbering 14,065, achieved liberation.” In the dynasty of King Mahābhoja, who was exceedingly religious, there appeared the Bhoja kings.

Verse 12

वृष्णे: सुमित्र: पुत्रोऽभूद् युधाजिच्च परन्तप । शिनिस्तस्यानमित्रश्च निघ्नोऽभूदनमित्रत: ॥ १२ ॥

O King, Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who can suppress your enemies, the sons of Vṛṣṇi were Sumitra and Yudhājit. From Yudhājit came Śini and Anamitra, and from Anamitra came a son named Nighna.

Verse 13

सत्राजित: प्रसेनश्च निघ्नस्याथासतु: सुतौ । अनमित्रसुतो योऽन्य: शिनिस्तस्य च सत्यक: ॥ १३ ॥

The two sons of Nighna were Satrājita and Prasena. Another son of Anamitra was another Śini, and his son was Satyaka.

Verse 14

युयुधान: सात्यकिर्वै जयस्तस्य कुणिस्तत: । युगन्धरोऽनमित्रस्य वृष्णि: पुत्रोऽपरस्तत: ॥ १४ ॥

The son of Satyaka was Yuyudhāna, whose son was Jaya. From Jaya came a son named Kuṇi and from Kuṇi a son named Yugandhara. Another son of Anamitra was Vṛṣṇi.

Verse 15

श्वफल्कश्चित्ररथश्च गान्दिन्यां च श्वफल्कत: । अक्रूरप्रमुखा आसन् पुत्रा द्वादश विश्रुता: ॥ १५ ॥

From Vṛṣṇi came the sons named Śvaphalka and Citraratha. From Śvaphalka by his wife Gāndinī came Akrūra. Akrūra was the eldest, but there were twelve other sons, all of whom were most celebrated.

Verse 16

आसङ्ग: सारमेयश्च मृदुरो मृदुविद् गिरि: । धर्मवृद्ध: सुकर्मा च क्षेत्रोपेक्षोऽरिमर्दन: ॥ १६ ॥ शत्रुघ्नो गन्धमादश्च प्रतिबाहुश्च द्वादश । तेषां स्वसा सुचाराख्या द्वावक्रूरसुतावपि ॥ १७ ॥ देववानुपदेवश्च तथा चित्ररथात्मजा: । पृथुर्विदूरथाद्याश्च बहवो वृष्णिनन्दना: ॥ १८ ॥

The names of these twelve were Āsaṅga, Sārameya, Mṛdura, Mṛduvit, Giri, Dharmavṛddha, Sukarmā, Kṣetropekṣa, Arimardana, Śatrughna, Gandhamāda and Pratibāhu. These brothers also had a sister named Sucārā. From Akrūra came two sons, named Devavān and Upadeva. Citraratha had many sons, headed by Pṛthu and Vidūratha, all of whom were known as belonging to the dynasty of Vṛṣṇi.

Verse 17

आसङ्ग: सारमेयश्च मृदुरो मृदुविद् गिरि: । धर्मवृद्ध: सुकर्मा च क्षेत्रोपेक्षोऽरिमर्दन: ॥ १६ ॥ शत्रुघ्नो गन्धमादश्च प्रतिबाहुश्च द्वादश । तेषां स्वसा सुचाराख्या द्वावक्रूरसुतावपि ॥ १७ ॥ देववानुपदेवश्च तथा चित्ररथात्मजा: । पृथुर्विदूरथाद्याश्च बहवो वृष्णिनन्दना: ॥ १८ ॥

The names of these twelve were Āsaṅga, Sārameya, Mṛdura, Mṛduvit, Giri, Dharmavṛddha, Sukarmā, Kṣetropekṣa, Arimardana, Śatrughna, Gandhamāda and Pratibāhu. These brothers also had a sister named Sucārā. From Akrūra came two sons, named Devavān and Upadeva. Citraratha had many sons, headed by Pṛthu and Vidūratha, all of whom were known as belonging to the dynasty of Vṛṣṇi.

Verse 18

आसङ्ग: सारमेयश्च मृदुरो मृदुविद् गिरि: । धर्मवृद्ध: सुकर्मा च क्षेत्रोपेक्षोऽरिमर्दन: ॥ १६ ॥ शत्रुघ्नो गन्धमादश्च प्रतिबाहुश्च द्वादश । तेषां स्वसा सुचाराख्या द्वावक्रूरसुतावपि ॥ १७ ॥ देववानुपदेवश्च तथा चित्ररथात्मजा: । पृथुर्विदूरथाद्याश्च बहवो वृष्णिनन्दना: ॥ १८ ॥

The names of these twelve were Āsaṅga, Sārameya, Mṛdura, Mṛduvit, Giri, Dharmavṛddha, Sukarmā, Kṣetropekṣa, Arimardana, Śatrughna, Gandhamāda and Pratibāhu. These brothers also had a sister named Sucārā. From Akrūra came two sons, named Devavān and Upadeva. Citraratha had many sons, headed by Pṛthu and Vidūratha, all of whom were known as belonging to the dynasty of Vṛṣṇi.

Verse 19

कुकुरो भजमानश्च शुचि: कम्बलबर्हिष: । कुकुरस्य सुतो वह्निर्विलोमा तनयस्तत: ॥ १९ ॥

Kukura, Bhajamāna, Śuci and Kambalabarhiṣa were the four sons of Andhaka. The son of Kukura was Vahni, and his son was Vilomā.

Verse 20

कपोतरोमा तस्यानु: सखा यस्य च तुम्बुरु: । अन्धकाद् दुन्दुभिस्तस्मादविद्योत: पुनर्वसु: ॥ २० ॥

The son of Vilomā was Kapotaromā, and his son was Anu, whose friend was Tumburu. From Anu came Andhaka; from Andhaka, Dundubhi; and from Dundubhi, Avidyota. From Avidyota came a son named Punarvasu.

Verse 21

तस्याहुकश्चाहुकी च कन्या चैवाहुकात्मजौ । देवकश्चोग्रसेनश्च चत्वारो देवकात्मजा: ॥ २१ ॥ देववानुपदेवश्च सुदेवो देववर्धन: । तेषां स्वसार: सप्तासन् धृतदेवादयो नृप ॥ २२ ॥ शान्तिदेवोपदेवा च श्रीदेवा देवरक्षिता । सहदेवा देवकी च वसुदेव उवाह ता: ॥ २३ ॥

Punarvasu had a son and a daughter, named Āhuka and Āhukī respectively, and Āhuka had two sons, named Devaka and Ugrasena. Devaka had four sons, named Devavān, Upadeva, Sudeva and Devavardhana, and he also had seven daughters, named Śāntidevā, Upadevā, Śrīdevā, Devarakṣitā, Sahadevā, Devakī and Dhṛtadevā. Dhṛtadevā was the eldest. Vasudeva, the father of Kṛṣṇa, married all these sisters.

Verse 22

तस्याहुकश्चाहुकी च कन्या चैवाहुकात्मजौ । देवकश्चोग्रसेनश्च चत्वारो देवकात्मजा: ॥ २१ ॥ देववानुपदेवश्च सुदेवो देववर्धन: । तेषां स्वसार: सप्तासन् धृतदेवादयो नृप ॥ २२ ॥ शान्तिदेवोपदेवा च श्रीदेवा देवरक्षिता । सहदेवा देवकी च वसुदेव उवाह ता: ॥ २३ ॥

Punarvasu had a son and a daughter, named Āhuka and Āhukī respectively, and Āhuka had two sons, named Devaka and Ugrasena. Devaka had four sons, named Devavān, Upadeva, Sudeva and Devavardhana, and he also had seven daughters, named Śāntidevā, Upadevā, Śrīdevā, Devarakṣitā, Sahadevā, Devakī and Dhṛtadevā. Dhṛtadevā was the eldest. Vasudeva, the father of Kṛṣṇa, married all these sisters.

Verse 23

तस्याहुकश्चाहुकी च कन्या चैवाहुकात्मजौ । देवकश्चोग्रसेनश्च चत्वारो देवकात्मजा: ॥ २१ ॥ देववानुपदेवश्च सुदेवो देववर्धन: । तेषां स्वसार: सप्तासन् धृतदेवादयो नृप ॥ २२ ॥ शान्तिदेवोपदेवा च श्रीदेवा देवरक्षिता । सहदेवा देवकी च वसुदेव उवाह ता: ॥ २३ ॥

Punarvasu had a son and a daughter, named Āhuka and Āhukī respectively, and Āhuka had two sons, named Devaka and Ugrasena. Devaka had four sons, named Devavān, Upadeva, Sudeva and Devavardhana, and he also had seven daughters, named Śāntidevā, Upadevā, Śrīdevā, Devarakṣitā, Sahadevā, Devakī and Dhṛtadevā. Dhṛtadevā was the eldest. Vasudeva, the father of Kṛṣṇa, married all these sisters.

Verse 24

कंस: सुनामा न्यग्रोध: कङ्क: शङ्कु: सुहूस्तथा । राष्ट्रपालोऽथ धृष्टिश्च तुष्टिमानौग्रसेनय: ॥ २४ ॥

Kaṁsa, Sunāmā, Nyagrodha, Kaṅka, Śaṅku, Suhū, Rāṣṭrapāla, Dhṛṣṭi and Tuṣṭimān were the sons of Ugrasena.

Verse 25

कंसा कंसवती कङ्का शूरभू राष्ट्रपालिका । उग्रसेनदुहितरो वसुदेवानुजस्त्रिय: ॥ २५ ॥

Kaṁsā, Kaṁsavatī, Kaṅkā, Śūrabhū and Rāṣṭrapālikā were the daughters of Ugrasena. They became the wives of Vasudeva’s younger brothers.

Verse 26

शूरो विदूरथादासीद् भजमानस्तु तत्सुत: । शिनिस्तस्मात् स्वयंभोजो हृदिकस्तत्सुतो मत: ॥ २६ ॥

The son of Citraratha was Vidūratha, the son of Vidūratha was Śūra, and his son was Bhajamāna. The son of Bhajamāna was Śini, the son of Śini was Bhoja, and the son of Bhoja was Hṛdika.

Verse 27

देवमीढ: शतधनु: कृतवर्मेति तत्सुता: । देवमीढस्य शूरस्य मारिषा नाम पत्‍न्यभूत् ॥ २७ ॥

The three sons of Hṛdika were Devamīḍha, Śatadhanu and Kṛtavarmā. The son of Devamīḍha was Śūra, whose wife was named Māriṣā.

Verse 28

तस्यां स जनयामास दश पुत्रानकल्मषान् । वसुदेवं देवभागं देवश्रवसमानकम् ॥ २८ ॥ सृञ्जयं श्यामकं कङ्कं शमीकं वत्सकं वृकम् । देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुरानका यस्य जन्मनि ॥ २९ ॥ वसुदेवं हरे: स्थानं वदन्त्यानकदुन्दुभिम् । पृथा च श्रुतदेवा च श्रुतकीर्ति: श्रुतश्रवा: ॥ ३० ॥ राजाधिदेवी चैतेषां भगिन्य: पञ्च कन्यका: । कुन्ते: सख्यु: पिता शूरो ह्यपुत्रस्य पृथामदात् ॥ ३१ ॥

Through Māriṣā, King Śūra begot Vasudeva, Devabhāga, Devaśravā, Ānaka, Sṛñjaya, Śyāmaka, Kaṅka, Śamīka, Vatsaka and Vṛka. These ten sons were spotlessly pious personalities. When Vasudeva was born, the demigods from the heavenly kingdom sounded kettledrums. Therefore Vasudeva, who provided the proper place for the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, was also known as Ānakadundubhi. The five daughters of King Śūra, named Pṛthā, Śrutadevā, Śrutakīrti, Śrutaśravā and Rājādhidevī, were Vasudeva’s sisters. Śūra gave Pṛthā to his friend Kunti, who had no issue, and therefore another name of Pṛthā was Kuntī.

Verse 29

तस्यां स जनयामास दश पुत्रानकल्मषान् । वसुदेवं देवभागं देवश्रवसमानकम् ॥ २८ ॥ सृञ्जयं श्यामकं कङ्कं शमीकं वत्सकं वृकम् । देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुरानका यस्य जन्मनि ॥ २९ ॥ वसुदेवं हरे: स्थानं वदन्त्यानकदुन्दुभिम् । पृथा च श्रुतदेवा च श्रुतकीर्ति: श्रुतश्रवा: ॥ ३० ॥ राजाधिदेवी चैतेषां भगिन्य: पञ्च कन्यका: । कुन्ते: सख्यु: पिता शूरो ह्यपुत्रस्य पृथामदात् ॥ ३१ ॥

Through Māriṣā, King Śūra begot Vasudeva, Devabhāga, Devaśravā, Ānaka, Sṛñjaya, Śyāmaka, Kaṅka, Śamīka, Vatsaka and Vṛka. These ten sons were spotlessly pious personalities. When Vasudeva was born, the demigods from the heavenly kingdom sounded kettledrums. Therefore Vasudeva, who provided the proper place for the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, was also known as Ānakadundubhi. The five daughters of King Śūra, named Pṛthā, Śrutadevā, Śrutakīrti, Śrutaśravā and Rājādhidevī, were Vasudeva’s sisters. Śūra gave Pṛthā to his friend Kunti, who had no issue, and therefore another name of Pṛthā was Kuntī.

Verse 30

तस्यां स जनयामास दश पुत्रानकल्मषान् । वसुदेवं देवभागं देवश्रवसमानकम् ॥ २८ ॥ सृञ्जयं श्यामकं कङ्कं शमीकं वत्सकं वृकम् । देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुरानका यस्य जन्मनि ॥ २९ ॥ वसुदेवं हरे: स्थानं वदन्त्यानकदुन्दुभिम् । पृथा च श्रुतदेवा च श्रुतकीर्ति: श्रुतश्रवा: ॥ ३० ॥ राजाधिदेवी चैतेषां भगिन्य: पञ्च कन्यका: । कुन्ते: सख्यु: पिता शूरो ह्यपुत्रस्य पृथामदात् ॥ ३१ ॥

Through Māriṣā, King Śūra begot Vasudeva, Devabhāga, Devaśravā, Ānaka, Sṛñjaya, Śyāmaka, Kaṅka, Śamīka, Vatsaka and Vṛka. These ten sons were spotlessly pious personalities. When Vasudeva was born, the demigods from the heavenly kingdom sounded kettledrums. Therefore Vasudeva, who provided the proper place for the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, was also known as Ānakadundubhi. The five daughters of King Śūra, named Pṛthā, Śrutadevā, Śrutakīrti, Śrutaśravā and Rājādhidevī, were Vasudeva’s sisters. Śūra gave Pṛthā to his friend Kunti, who had no issue, and therefore another name of Pṛthā was Kuntī.

Verse 31

तस्यां स जनयामास दश पुत्रानकल्मषान् । वसुदेवं देवभागं देवश्रवसमानकम् ॥ २८ ॥ सृञ्जयं श्यामकं कङ्कं शमीकं वत्सकं वृकम् । देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुरानका यस्य जन्मनि ॥ २९ ॥ वसुदेवं हरे: स्थानं वदन्त्यानकदुन्दुभिम् । पृथा च श्रुतदेवा च श्रुतकीर्ति: श्रुतश्रवा: ॥ ३० ॥ राजाधिदेवी चैतेषां भगिन्य: पञ्च कन्यका: । कुन्ते: सख्यु: पिता शूरो ह्यपुत्रस्य पृथामदात् ॥ ३१ ॥

Through Māriṣā, King Śūra begot Vasudeva, Devabhāga, Devaśravā, Ānaka, Sṛñjaya, Śyāmaka, Kaṅka, Śamīka, Vatsaka and Vṛka. These ten sons were spotlessly pious personalities. When Vasudeva was born, the demigods from the heavenly kingdom sounded kettledrums. Therefore Vasudeva, who provided the proper place for the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, was also known as Ānakadundubhi. The five daughters of King Śūra, named Pṛthā, Śrutadevā, Śrutakīrti, Śrutaśravā and Rājādhidevī, were Vasudeva’s sisters. Śūra gave Pṛthā to his friend Kunti, who had no issue, and therefore another name of Pṛthā was Kuntī.

Verse 32

साप दुर्वाससो विद्यां देवहूतीं प्रतोषितात् । तस्या वीर्यपरीक्षार्थमाजुहाव रविं शुचि: ॥ ३२ ॥

Once when Durvāsā was a guest at the house of Pṛthā’s father, Kunti, Pṛthā satisfied Durvāsā by rendering service. Therefore she received a mystic power by which she could call any demigod. To examine the potency of this mystic power, the pious Kuntī immediately called for the sun-god.

Verse 33

तदैवोपागतं देवं वीक्ष्य विस्मितमानसा । प्रत्ययार्थं प्रयुक्ता मे याहि देव क्षमस्व मे ॥ ३३ ॥

As soon as Kuntī called for the demigod of the sun, he immediately appeared before her, and she was very much surprised. She told the sun-god, “I was simply examining the effectiveness of this mystic power. I am sorry I have called you unnecessarily. Please return and excuse me.”

Verse 34

अमोघं देवसन्दर्शमादधे त्वयि चात्मजम् । योनिर्यथा न दुष्येत कर्ताहं ते सुमध्यमे ॥ ३४ ॥

The sun-god said: O beautiful Pṛthā, your meeting with the demigods cannot be fruitless. Therefore, let me place my seed in your womb so that you may bear a son. I shall arrange to keep your virginity intact, since you are still an unmarried girl.

Verse 35

इति तस्यां स आधाय गर्भं सूर्यो दिवं गत: । सद्य: कुमार: सञ्जज्ञे द्वितीय इव भास्कर: ॥ ३५ ॥

After saying this, the sun-god discharged his semen into the womb of Pṛthā and then returned to the celestial kingdom. Immediately thereafter, from Kuntī a child was born, who was like a second sun-god.

Verse 36

तं सात्यजन्नदीतोये कृच्छ्राल्लोकस्य बिभ्यती । प्रपितामहस्तामुवाह पाण्डुर्वै सत्यविक्रम: ॥ ३६ ॥

Because Kuntī feared people’s criticisms, with great difficulty she had to give up her affection for her child. Unwillingly, she packed the child in a basket and let it float down the waters of the river. O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, your great-grandfather the pious and chivalrous King Pāṇḍu later married Kuntī.

Verse 37

श्रुतदेवां तु कारूषो वृद्धशर्मा समग्रहीत् । यस्यामभूद् दन्तवक्र ऋषिशप्तो दिते: सुत: ॥ ३७ ॥

Vṛddhaśarmā, the King of Karūṣa, married Kuntī’s sister Śrutadevā, and from her womb Dantavakra was born. Having been cursed by the sages headed by Sanaka, Dantavakra had formerly been born as the son of Diti named Hiraṇyākṣa.

Verse 38

कैकेयो धृष्टकेतुश्च श्रुतकीर्तिमविन्दत । सन्तर्दनादयस्तस्यां पञ्चासन्कैकया: सुता: ॥ ३८ ॥

King Dhṛṣṭaketu, the King of Kekaya, married Śrutakīrti, another sister of Kuntī’s. Śrutakīrti had five sons, headed by Santardana.

Verse 39

राजाधिदेव्यामावन्त्यौ जयसेनोऽजनिष्ट ह । दमघोषश्चेदिराज: श्रुतश्रवसमग्रहीत् ॥ ३९ ॥

Through the womb of Rājādhidevī, another sister of Kuntī’s, Jayasena begot two sons, named Vinda and Anuvinda. Similarly, the king of the Cedi state married Śrutaśravā. This king’s name was Damaghoṣa.

Verse 40

शिशुपाळ: सुतस्तस्या: कथितस्तस्य सम्भव: । देवभागस्य कंसायां चित्रकेतुबृहद्ब‍लौ ॥ ४० ॥

The son of Śrutaśravā was Śiśupāla, whose birth has already been described [in the Seventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam]. Vasudeva’s brother named Devabhāga had two sons born of his wife, Kaṁsā. These two sons were Citraketu and Bṛhadbala.

Verse 41

कंसवत्यां देवश्रवस: सुवीर इषुमांस्तथा । बक: कङ्कात् तु कङ्कायां सत्यजित्पुरुजित् तथा ॥ ४१ ॥

Vasudeva’s brother named Devaśravā married Kaṁsavatī, by whom he begot two sons, named Suvīra and Iṣumān. Kaṅka, by his wife Kaṅkā, begot three sons, named Baka, Satyajit and Purujit.

Verse 42

सृञ्जयो राष्ट्रपाल्यां च वृषदुर्मर्षणादिकान् । हरिकेशहिरण्याक्षौ शूरभूम्यां च श्यामक: ॥ ४२ ॥

King Sṛñjaya, by his wife, Rāṣṭrapālikā, begot sons headed by Vṛṣa and Durmarṣaṇa. King Śyāmaka, by his wife, Śūrabhūmi, begot two sons, named Harikeśa and Hiraṇyākṣa.

Verse 43

मिश्रकेश्यामप्सरसि वृकादीन् वत्सकस्तथा । तक्षपुष्करशालादीन् दुर्वाक्ष्यां वृक आदधे ॥ ४३ ॥

Thereafter, King Vatsaka, by the womb of his wife, Miśrakeśī, who was an Apsarā, begot sons headed by Vṛka. Vṛka, by his wife, Durvākṣī, begot Takṣa, Puṣkara, Śāla and so on.

Verse 44

सुमित्रार्जुनपालादीन् समीकात्तु सुदामनी । आनक: कर्णिकायां वै ऋतधामाजयावपि ॥ ४४ ॥

From Samīka, by the womb of his wife, Sudāmanī, came Sumitra, Arjunapāla and other sons. King Ānaka, by his wife, Karṇikā, begot two sons, namely Ṛtadhāmā and Jaya.

Verse 45

पौरवी रोहिणी भद्रा मदिरा रोचना इला । देवकीप्रमुखाश्चासन् पत्‍न्य आनकदुन्दुभे: ॥ ४५ ॥

Devakī, Pauravī, Rohiṇī, Bhadrā, Madirā, Rocanā, Ilā and others were all wives of Ānakadundubhi [Vasudeva]. Among them all, Devakī was the chief.

Verse 46

बलं गदं सारणं च दुर्मदं विपुलं ध्रुवम् । वसुदेवस्तु रोहिण्यां कृतादीनुदपादयत् ॥ ४६ ॥

Vasudeva, by the womb of his wife Rohiṇī, begot sons such as Bala, Gada, Sāraṇa, Durmada, Vipula, Dhruva, Kṛta and others.

Verse 47

सुभद्रो भद्रबाहुश्च दुर्मदो भद्र एव च । पौरव्यास्तनया ह्येते भूताद्या द्वादशाभवन् ॥ ४७ ॥ नन्दोपनन्दकृतकशूराद्या मदिरात्मजा: । कौशल्या केशिनं त्वेकमसूत कुलनन्दनम् ॥ ४८ ॥

From the womb of Pauravī came twelve sons, including Bhūta, Subhadra, Bhadrabāhu, Durmada and Bhadra. Nanda, Upananda, Kṛtaka, Śūra and others were born from the womb of Madirā. Bhadrā [Kauśalyā] gave birth to only one son, named Keśī.

Verse 48

सुभद्रो भद्रबाहुश्च दुर्मदो भद्र एव च । पौरव्यास्तनया ह्येते भूताद्या द्वादशाभवन् ॥ ४७ ॥ नन्दोपनन्दकृतकशूराद्या मदिरात्मजा: । कौशल्या केशिनं त्वेकमसूत कुलनन्दनम् ॥ ४८ ॥

From the womb of Pauravī came twelve sons, including Bhūta, Subhadra, Bhadrabāhu, Durmada and Bhadra. Nanda, Upananda, Kṛtaka, Śūra and others were born from the womb of Madirā. Bhadrā [Kauśalyā] gave birth to only one son, named Keśī.

Verse 49

रोचनायामतो जाता हस्तहेमाङ्गदादय: । इलायामुरुवल्कादीन् यदुमुख्यानजीजनत् ॥ ४९ ॥

Vasudeva, by another of his wives, whose name was Rocanā, begot Hasta, Hemāṅgada and other sons. And by his wife named Ilā he begot sons headed by Uruvalka, all of whom were chief personalities in the dynasty of Yadu.

Verse 50

विपृष्ठो धृतदेवायामेक आनकदुन्दुभे: । शान्तिदेवात्मजा राजन् प्रशमप्रसितादय: ॥ ५० ॥

From the womb of Dhṛtadevā, one of the wives of Ānakadundubhi [Vasudeva], came a son named Vipṛṣṭha. The sons of Śāntidevā, another wife of Vasudeva, were Praśama, Prasita and others.

Verse 51

राजन्यकल्पवर्षाद्या उपदेवासुता दश । वसुहंससुवंशाद्या: श्रीदेवायास्तु षट् सुता: ॥ ५१ ॥

Vasudeva also had a wife named Upadevā, from whom came ten sons, headed by Rājanya, Kalpa and Varṣa. From Śrīdevā, another wife, came six sons, such as Vasu, Haṁsa and Suvaṁśa.

Verse 52

देवरक्षितया लब्धा नव चात्र गदादय: । वसुदेव: सुतानष्टावादधे सहदेवया ॥ ५२ ॥

By the semen of Vasudeva in the womb of Devarakṣitā, nine sons were born, headed by Gadā. Vasudeva, who was religion personified, also had a wife named Sahadevā, by whose womb he begot eight sons, headed by Śruta and Pravara.

Verse 53

प्रवरश्रुतमुख्यांश्च साक्षाद् धर्मो वसूनिव । वसुदेवस्तु देवक्यामष्ट पुत्रानजीजनत् ॥ ५३ ॥ कीर्तिमन्तं सुषेणं च भद्रसेनमुदारधी: । ऋजुं सम्मर्दनं भद्रं सङ्कर्षणमहीश्वरम् ॥ ५४ ॥ अष्टमस्तु तयोरासीत् स्वयमेव हरि: किल । सुभद्रा च महाभागा तव राजन् पितामही ॥ ५५ ॥

The eight sons born of Sahadevā such as Pravara and Śruta, were exact incarnations of the eight Vasus in the heavenly planets. Vasudeva also begot eight highly qualified sons through the womb of Devakī. These included Kīrtimān, Suṣeṇa, Bhadrasena, Ṛju, Sammardana, Bhadra and Saṅkarṣaṇa, the controller and serpent incarnation. The eighth son was the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself — Kṛṣṇa. The highly fortunate Subhadrā, the one daughter, was your grandmother.

Verse 54

प्रवरश्रुतमुख्यांश्च साक्षाद् धर्मो वसूनिव । वसुदेवस्तु देवक्यामष्ट पुत्रानजीजनत् ॥ ५३ ॥ कीर्तिमन्तं सुषेणं च भद्रसेनमुदारधी: । ऋजुं सम्मर्दनं भद्रं सङ्कर्षणमहीश्वरम् ॥ ५४ ॥ अष्टमस्तु तयोरासीत् स्वयमेव हरि: किल । सुभद्रा च महाभागा तव राजन् पितामही ॥ ५५ ॥

The eight sons born of Sahadevā such as Pravara and Śruta, were exact incarnations of the eight Vasus in the heavenly planets. Vasudeva also begot eight highly qualified sons through the womb of Devakī. These included Kīrtimān, Suṣeṇa, Bhadrasena, Ṛju, Sammardana, Bhadra and Saṅkarṣaṇa, the controller and serpent incarnation. The eighth son was the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself — Kṛṣṇa. The highly fortunate Subhadrā, the one daughter, was your grandmother.

Verse 55

प्रवरश्रुतमुख्यांश्च साक्षाद् धर्मो वसूनिव । वसुदेवस्तु देवक्यामष्ट पुत्रानजीजनत् ॥ ५३ ॥ कीर्तिमन्तं सुषेणं च भद्रसेनमुदारधी: । ऋजुं सम्मर्दनं भद्रं सङ्कर्षणमहीश्वरम् ॥ ५४ ॥ अष्टमस्तु तयोरासीत् स्वयमेव हरि: किल । सुभद्रा च महाभागा तव राजन् पितामही ॥ ५५ ॥

The eight sons born of Sahadevā such as Pravara and Śruta, were exact incarnations of the eight Vasus in the heavenly planets. Vasudeva also begot eight highly qualified sons through the womb of Devakī. These included Kīrtimān, Suṣeṇa, Bhadrasena, Ṛju, Sammardana, Bhadra and Saṅkarṣaṇa, the controller and serpent incarnation. The eighth son was the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself — Kṛṣṇa. The highly fortunate Subhadrā, the one daughter, was your grandmother.

Verse 56

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य क्षयो वृद्धिश्च पाप्मन: । तदा तु भगवानीश आत्मानं सृजते हरि: ॥ ५६ ॥

Whenever the principles of religion deteriorate and the principles of irreligion increase, the supreme controller, the Personality of Godhead Śrī Hari, appears by His own will.

Verse 57

न ह्यस्य जन्मनो हेतु: कर्मणो वा महीपते । आत्ममायां विनेशस्य परस्य द्रष्टुरात्मन: ॥ ५७ ॥

O King, Mahārāja Parīkṣit, but for the Lord’s personal desire, there is no cause for His appearance, disappearance or activities. As the Supersoul, He knows everything. Consequently there is no cause that affects Him, not even the results of fruitive activities.

Verse 58

यन्मायाचेष्टितं पुंस: स्थित्युत्पत्त्यप्ययाय हि । अनुग्रहस्तन्निवृत्तेरात्मलाभाय चेष्यते ॥ ५८ ॥

The Supreme Personality of Godhead acts through His material energy in the creation, maintenance and annihilation of this cosmic manifestation just to deliver the living entity by His compassion and stop the living entity’s birth, death and duration of materialistic life. Thus He enables the living being to return home, back to Godhead.

Verse 59

अक्षौहिणीनां पतिभिरसुरैर्नृपलाञ्छनै: । भुव आक्रम्यमाणाया अभाराय कृतोद्यम: ॥ ५९ ॥

Although the demons who take possession of the government are dressed like men of government, they do not know the duty of the government. Consequently, by the arrangement of God, such demons, who possess great military strength, fight with one another, and thus the great burden of demons on the surface of the earth is reduced. The demons increase their military power by the will of the Supreme, so that their numbers will be diminished and the devotees will have a chance to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Verse 60

कर्माण्यपरिमेयाणि मनसापि सुरेश्वरै: । सहसङ्कर्षणश्चक्रे भगवान् मधुसूदन: ॥ ६० ॥

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, with the cooperation of Saṅkarṣaṇa, Balarāma, performed activities beyond the mental comprehension of even such personalities as Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva. [For instance, Kṛṣṇa arranged the Battle of Kurukṣetra to kill many demons for the relief of the entire world.]

Verse 61

कलौ जनिष्यमाणानां दु:खशोकतमोनुदम् । अनुग्रहाय भक्तानां सुपुण्यं व्यतनोद् यश: ॥ ६१ ॥

To show causeless mercy to the devotees who would take birth in the future in this Age of Kali, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, acted in such a way that simply by remembering Him one will be freed from all the lamentation and unhappiness of material existence. [In other words, He acted so that all future devotees, by accepting the instructions of Kṛṣṇa consciousness stated in Bhagavad-gītā, could be relieved from the pangs of material existence.]

Verse 62

यस्मिन् सत्कर्णपीयुषे यशस्तीर्थवरे सकृत् । श्रोत्राञ्जलिरुपस्पृश्य धुनुते कर्मवासनाम् ॥ ६२ ॥

Simply by receiving the glories of the Lord through purified transcendental ears, the devotees of the Lord are immediately freed from strong material desires and engagement in fruitive activities.

Verse 63

भोजवृष्ण्यन्धकमधुशूरसेनदशार्हकै: । श्लाघनीयेहित: शश्वत् कुरुसृञ्जयपाण्डुभि: ॥ ६३ ॥ स्‍निग्धस्मितेक्षितोदारैर्वाक्यैर्विक्रमलीलया । नृलोकं रमयामास मूर्त्या सर्वाङ्गरम्यया ॥ ६४ ॥

Assisted by the descendants of Bhoja, Vṛṣṇi, Andhaka, Madhu, Śūrasena, Daśārha, Kuru, Sṛñjaya and Pāṇḍu, Lord Kṛṣṇa performed various activities. By His pleasing smiles, His affectionate behavior, His instructions and His uncommon pastimes like raising Govardhana Hill, the Lord, appearing in His transcendental body, pleased all of human society.

Verse 64

भोजवृष्ण्यन्धकमधुशूरसेनदशार्हकै: । श्लाघनीयेहित: शश्वत् कुरुसृञ्जयपाण्डुभि: ॥ ६३ ॥ स्‍निग्धस्मितेक्षितोदारैर्वाक्यैर्विक्रमलीलया । नृलोकं रमयामास मूर्त्या सर्वाङ्गरम्यया ॥ ६४ ॥

Assisted by the descendants of Bhoja, Vṛṣṇi, Andhaka, Madhu, Śūrasena, Daśārha, Kuru, Sṛñjaya and Pāṇḍu, Lord Kṛṣṇa performed various activities. By His pleasing smiles, His affectionate behavior, His instructions and His uncommon pastimes like raising Govardhana Hill, the Lord, appearing in His transcendental body, pleased all of human society.

Verse 65

यस्याननं मकरकुण्डलचारुकर्ण-भ्राजत्कपोलसुभगं सविलासहासम् । नित्योत्सवं न ततृपुर्दृशिभि: पिबन्त्योनार्यो नराश्च मुदिता: कुपिता निमेश्च ॥ ६५ ॥

Kṛṣṇa’s face is decorated with ornaments, such as earrings resembling sharks. His ears are beautiful, His cheeks brilliant, and His smiling attractive to everyone. Whoever sees Lord Kṛṣṇa sees a festival. His face and body are fully satisfying for everyone to see, but the devotees are angry at the creator for the disturbance caused by the momentary blinking of their eyes.

Verse 66

जातो गत: पितृगृहाद् व्रजमेधितार्थोहत्वा रिपून् सुतशतानि कृतोरुदार: । उत्पाद्य तेषु पुरुष: क्रतुभि: समीजेआत्मानमात्मनिगमं प्रथयञ्जनेषु ॥ ६६ ॥

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, known as līlā-puruṣottama, appeared as the son of Vasudeva but immediately left His father’s home and went to Vṛndāvana to expand His loving relationship with His confidential devotees. In Vṛndāvana the Lord killed many demons, and afterwards He returned to Dvārakā, where according to Vedic principles He married many wives who were the best of women, begot through them hundreds of sons, and performed sacrifices for His own worship to establish the principles of householder life.

Verse 67

पृथ्व्या: स वै गुरुभरं क्षपयन् कुरूणा-मन्त:समुत्थकलिना युधि भूपचम्व: । द‍ृष्टय‍ा विधूय विजये जयमुद्विघोष्यप्रोच्योद्धवाय च परं समगात् स्वधाम ॥ ६७ ॥ येऽन्येऽरविन्दाक्ष विमुक्तमानिन-स्त्वय्यस्तभावादविशुद्धबुद्धय: । आरुह्य कृच्छ्रेण परं पदं तत:पतन्त्यधोऽनाद‍ृतयुष्मदङ्‌घ्रय: ॥

Thereafter, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa created a misunderstanding between family members just to diminish the burden of the world. Simply by His glance, He annihilated all the demoniac kings on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra and declared victory for Arjuna. Finally, He instructed Uddhava about transcendental life and devotion and then returned to His abode in His original form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sātvata is a key ancestor in the Yadu line whose seven sons generate major Yādava branches (including Vṛṣṇi, Andhaka, and Mahābhoja). These clans form the social and political network that supports Kṛṣṇa’s earthly līlā—providing both devotees (for intimate exchanges) and antagonistic forces (for dharma-restoration and bhū-bhāra-haraṇa).

The stuti tradition signals that lineage is evaluated not only by power but by guṇa and bhakti-saṁskāra. By highlighting Devāvṛdha as “equal to the devas” and Babhru as “best among humans,” the Bhāgavata teaches that spiritual excellence sanctifies dynastic history; association with such exalted figures becomes a cause for upliftment—even described here as leading many descendants to liberation.

It states that Bhagavān appears by His own desire (svatantra-icchā), not due to karma or external causation. His descent is compassionate: to protect devotees, to reduce the earth’s burden by orchestrating the downfall of demoniac rulers, and to establish a path where future beings—especially in Kali-yuga—can be freed through śravaṇa (hearing) and smaraṇa (remembering) His glories.

Ānakadundubhi is Vasudeva’s epithet meaning “kettledrums (dundubhi) resounded.” The chapter notes that when Vasudeva was born, devas sounded celestial drums—an auspicious omen marking him as the chosen shelter through whom the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, would manifest.

The Bhāgavata integrates Itihāsa-linked dynastic threads to show continuity between Purāṇic and Mahābhārata worlds. Kuntī’s mantra (a siddhi obtained through service to Durvāsā) and the birth of Karṇa demonstrate how divine arrangements unfold within human ethics and social constraints, and how key Mahābhārata actors arise within the broader Yādava-linked kinship network.