Shloka 17
The Yadu–Vṛṣṇi–Andhaka Genealogies and the Purpose of Kṛṣṇa’s Advent
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 ॥
āsaṅgaḥ sārameyaś ca mṛduro mṛduvid giriḥ dharmavṛddhaḥ sukarmā ca kṣetropekṣo ’rimardanaḥ
The names of those twelve were Āsaṅga, Sārameya, Mṛdura, Mṛduvit, Giri, Dharmavṛddha, Sukarmā, Kṣetropekṣa, Arimardana, Śatrughna, Gandhamāda, and Pratibāhu. They also had a sister named Sucārā. From Akrūra came two sons, Devavān and Upadeva. Citraratha too had many sons, headed by Pṛthu and Vidūratha, all renowned as scions of the Vṛṣṇi line.
FAQs
It lists notable descendants within the Vṛṣṇi line—naming several sons, a sister (Sucārā), and mentioning two sons of Akrūra—continuing the Yadu dynasty genealogy.
He is establishing the sacred dynastic context (vamśa) of the Yadus and Vṛṣṇis, through whom the Lord’s associates and the setting for Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes become historically situated.
They cultivate śraddhā by showing the Lord’s līlā unfolds within a real, sacred lineage and community—encouraging devotees to value dharmic heritage, remembrance, and faithful hearing (śravaṇam) of Bhagavata-kathā.