Descendants of Lord Rama and Yudhishthira: Royal Legacies in History

In the grand tapestry of Indian history, the lineages of Surya Vamsha and Chanda Vamsha hold a significant place. These royal dynasties have shaped the course of history, and their descendants continude to influence the cultural heritage of India. This article delves into the descendants of these illustrious figures, tracing their lineage and historical significance.

Descendants of Lord Rama

The Solar Dynasty, or Suryavansha, boasts the legendary lineage of Maharaja Ikshvaku to Shri Ramachandraji. The Rajputs of Jaipur and Bikaner claim descent from Shri Ramachandra, while the Rajputs of Jaisalmer and Kutch trace their lineage from Lord Shri Krishna.

Key Descendants

• Lava and Kusha: Shri Ramachandraji's twin sons.
• Lava: The Rana rulers of Mewar trace their origin to Lava.
• Kusha: The rulers of Marwar and Amer originated from Kusha, known as Kushavaha (Kachwahas).
• Fifty-Eight Kings of Ayodhya: After Shri Ramachandraji, fifty-eight kings ruled Ayodhya, with Sumitra as the last known descendant.
• Genealogical Records: Panditvar Jai Singh of Amer compiled a genealogy of the Solar dynasty, suggesting many kings succeeded Maharaja Sumitra, who were the ancestors of the Ranas of Mewar.

Descendants of Yudhishthira

The Lunar Dynasty, or Chandravansha, is renowned for its connections to Budha, Shri Krishna, and Yudhishthira. This dynasty continued through Maharaja Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu, who succeeded King Yudhishthira.

Key Descendants

• Maharaja Parikshit: Succeeded Yudhishthira and ruled the throne of Indraprastha.
• Sixty-Six Kings: A total of sixty-six kings ruled Indraprastha from King Parikshit onwards.
• Prominent Figures: The dynasty includes notable figures like Yayati, Puru, and Kuru.
• Marital Alliances: Brihadratha's marriage to the twin daughters of the king of Kashi strengthened the dynasty.

Descendants of Jarasandha

Jarasandha, a key figure in the Mahabharata, belonged to the Lunar Dynasty through his ancestry as the son of King Brihadratha of Magadha. His lineage traces back to Kuru, originating from Soma, the moon god. Rajgir was Jarasandha’s capital, and his son Sahadeva and grandson Marjjarik were present during the Mahabharata war. After Jarasandha, twenty-three kings ruled Magadha, ending with Ripunjaya, who was killed by his minister Shaka. Following Ripunjaya, the Shishunaga dynasty ruled for 360 years, succeeded by the Maurya dynasty, which included the famous Maharaja Chandragupta, ruling for 137 years. Ashtamittra’s dynasty followed, ruling for 112 years, ending with Devabhuti. Bhūmitra then seized the throne, leading to the Shudra clan ruling Magadha. The final dynasty saw kings born from Shudra women, ending with Shalambudhi. The Magadha region, once ruled by the powerful Jarasandha, saw its dynasties transition through various phases, ultimately leading to its extinction.

Knowledge Bank

Why is it called Pancha patra?

The vessel containing water used in rituals is called Pancha patra. Pancha means five. In elaborate worship, five vessels are used- Vishesha arghya patra containing a mix of 8 dravyas, Nirodha arghya patra containing a mix of 7 dravyas, Parangmukha arghya patra containing a mix of 6 dravyas, Padya patra, and Achamaniyaka patra. Even if only one vessel is used in their place, it came to be called Pancha patra.

What Vedas say about the universe

Just as waves arise out of the sea, the universe arises out of Brahman at the time of creation. A small part of Brahman itself becomes the universe. At the time of pralaya, just like how the waves fall back into the sea, the universe also dissolves back into Brahman.