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48-687: According to the Vayu Purana, the Madra kingdom was founded by King Ushinara Shibi of the Anu race. Anu was the son of Yayati . According to Bhagavata Purana , The kingdom of Madra was founded by Madra who was the son of Anu King Shibi in Treta Yuga . Bahlika people were considered as "outsiders" of the Vedic culture, as being a foreign tribe of Bharatvarsha . The name Bahlika is also used to denote

96-468: A Shami stick, he performed a sacrifice. He gave away mountains of gold and billions of cows to Brahmanas. The legend of Yayati appears in the eighteenth and nineteenth chapters of the ninth canto of the Bhagavata Purana . Yayati's father, Nahusha , is transformed into a python by a curse uttered by the sages, as punishment for his arrogance. Yayati's elder brother, Yati, is initially given

144-557: A dispute arose between them (8-40,44). The passages that describe this dispute give light to the cultural differences that existed between these warriors. (See Bahlika Culture for more details). During the time of the Gupta Empire , the Indian emperor Samudragupta (ruled 350-375 CE) recorded Madraka as a "frontier kingdom" which paid an annual tribute. This was recorded by Samudragupta's Allahabad Pillar inscription , which states

192-487: A kingdom different from Madra, Sindhu, Kekeya, Gandhāra & Kamboja. The Kuru king Shantanu , a forefather of Kauravas and Pandavas , had a brother who ruled the Bahlika kingdom . Bahlika or western countries were cold countries and people used blankets. They also reared sheep and drank sheep milk . They had good knowledge of camels. They had horses of excellent quality. Their horses and even horsemen were used in

240-459: A long while, Sharmishtha comes to Yayati, and requests him to give her a child. He refuses, stating that if he were to do so, he would face the wrath of Shukra. Nevertheless, Sharmishtha manages to convince him, saying that it would be against dharma if he were to refuse her request; he being the king, it was his responsibility to ensure the needs of the citizens, and she is desperate to have a child. He reluctantly agrees, and they begin an affair, in

288-451: A mother, he later relents, telling Yayati that if he could persuade one of his (Yayati's) sons to swap ages with him, he will be able to escape the curse, and regain his lost youth for a while. Yayati asks his sons if one of them would give up his youth to rejuvenate his father, but all refuse except the youngest, Puru (one of his sons by Sharmishtha). In grateful recognition of Puru's filial devotion, Yayati makes him his legitimate heir, and it

336-505: A strong wind, collecting their clothes upon the stream's banks, and depositing them in a heap. In the ensuing confusion, the two women accidentally don each other's clothes. In the quarrel that ensued, Sharmishtha throws the naked Devayani into a well, and leaves the forest with her retinue. Later, Yayati, son of Nahusha, chanced upon the pool after hunting, and helps Devayani to climb out of it, before returning to his kingdom. Devayani sent her maid, Ghurnika, to her father, and informed him about

384-633: Is an emperor in Hindu tradition . He is described to be a Chandravamsha king. He is regarded to be the progenitor of the races of the Yadavas and the Pandavas . He is considered in some texts to the son of King Nahusha , and his wife, Ashokasundari , daughter of Shiva and Parvati ; however, early sources state that Virajas, daughter of Ajyapas, was the mother of Yayati. He had five brothers: Yati, Samyati, Ayati, Viyati, and Kriti. Yayati had conquered

432-587: Is from the Treta age that they have had their origin and began to multiply. When the terrible period came, joining Treta Yuga and the Dvapara Yuga , the Kshatriyas , approaching one another, engaged themselves in battle (12,206). The Madra tribe and Salwa tribe had a common origin as hinted by a myth at (1,121). Here the origin of these two tribes were attributed to a king in the race of Puru , known by

480-508: Is from the line of Puru - later King Puru - that the Kuruvamsha (Kuru dynasty) later arises. In the words of the story, Yayati enjoys all the pleasures of the senses 'for a thousand years' and, by experiencing passion to the full, comes to realise its utter futility, saying: "Know this for certain... not all the food, wealth and women of the world can appease the lust of a single man of uncontrolled senses. Craving for sense-pleasures

528-421: Is not removed but aggravated by indulgence even as ghee poured into fire increases it....One who aspires to peace and happiness should instantly renounce craving and seek instead that which neither grows old, nor ceases - no matter how old the body may become." Having found wisdom by following the road of excess, Yayati gratefully returns the youth of his son Puru, and takes back his old age in return, renouncing

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576-541: Is sometimes called Yayati Syndrome. Yayati , a Marathi novel by V. S. Khandekar , won him the Sahitya Akademi Award (1960), and a Jnanpith Award (1974). Playwright Girish Karnad 's debut play Yayati (1961) is based on the story of King Yayati found in the Mahabharata . Pandu Pandu ( Sanskrit : पाण्डु , romanized :  Pāṇḍu , lit.   'pale')

624-526: The Mahabharata 's Adi Parva , as well as in the Bhagavata Purana and the Matsya Purana . Brahma's son was Atri , a Brahmarshi . Atri's son was Chandra , the moon god. Chandra lent his name to the Lunar dynasty (Chandravaṃśa). Chandra's son was Budha . Budha had a son with Vaivasvaita Manu's daughter, Ila . Ila's son was Pururavas , who studied under Sage Kashyapa . Pururavas married

672-481: The Kurukshetra War . Shalya became indebted to battle for the sake of Duryodhana , by the time he learned the truth. (5,8). The main antagonist of Shalya in bow-fight was, king Yudhishthira (5,57). Both of them engaged many times in battle. (6-45 etc.). He also made many battles with Nakula and Sahadeva . He defeated many like Virata and Drupada . Shalya became the driver of Karna 's chariot on

720-557: The a psara Urvashi and had many sons, of whom Ayus was the eldest. Ayus completed his education from Sage Chyavana and married the asura princess Prabha. Ayus 's son was Nahusha , who was educated by the Sage Vashistha . Upon Indra 's loss of power, the devas asked Nahusha to be the new Indra. Nahusha ruled over the three worlds with the guidance of Sage Brihaspati for 100 years. Nahusha's sons, headed by Yati and Yayati, were educated by thousands of Brahmarshis and

768-842: The 17th day (8,36). On the last day Yudhishthira slew his uncle Shalya , who was then the generalissimo of the Kaurava army (9,17). Madra army battled along with other western armies like the Trigartas , the Kekeyas , the Gandharas , the Yavanas , the Sindhus , the Sauviras , the Amvasthas etc. (6-51 etc.). On the day when Shalya was forced to become the driver of Karna 's chariot,

816-1007: The Kankas, the Pathavas, the Andhras , the Madrakas, the Paundras , the Pulindas , the Ramathas, the Kamvojas were mentioned together as tribes beyond the kingdoms of Aryavarta . The Aryavarta-kings had doubts on dealing with them. (12,64) The Andrakas, Guhas, Pulindas, Savaras, Chuchukas, Madrakas, the Yamas, Kamvojas , Kiratas and Barbaras were mentioned as unknown tribes. In the Krita age , they were nowhere on earth (meaning Ancient India). It

864-498: The Madra ( Punjab province of Pakistan) king Aswapati (3,297). Shalya was the most famous king from Madra. He became the generalissimo of the Kaurava army on the last day of the Kurukshetra War . He was the oldest spear-fighter battled in Kurukshetra War . Bhima had defeated Shalya in mace-fight without knowing each other during the self-choice ceremony of Draupadi (1,192). He was slain by Pandava king Yudhishthira during

912-513: The Madra kingdom also Nakula the son of Pandu , by sheer force, reduced to subjection the Ramathas, the Harahunas , and various kings of the west. And while staying there Nakula sent, messengers unto Vasudeva Krishna . And Vasudeva with all the Yadavas accepted his sway. And the mighty hero, proceeding thence to Sakala , the city of the Madras, made his uncle Shalya accept from affection

960-491: The adoptive daughter of Kuntibhoja and the daughter of Shurasena (father of Vasudeva and grandfather of Krishna ). His second wife was the princess of the Madra kingdom Madri . The marriage was proposed by Bhishma. While hunting in a forest (looking from a distance, his vision partially obscured by plants and trees), Pandu saw a couple of deer in the process of coitus , and shot arrows at them; he later discovered that it

1008-400: The celestial region, he got stuck in the firmament. His grandsons: Ashtaka, Vasuman, Prattarddana, and Sivi (kings and sons of Mamata or Madhavi) met him. They enquired who he was, and why he was thus. They asked about heaven, about hell, about rebirth. Yayati recited everything. Then, out of compassion, they offered their own meritorious powers to Yayati. With these merits, Yayati attained again

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1056-414: The child-bearing mantra taught to her by the sage Durvasa . Pandu was overjoyed and told Kunti to use it to gain sons from suitable deities. He wanted his son to be righteous, and so he suggested Dharmaraja , the deity of death and righteousness. Kunti chanted her mantra and the deity granted her Yudhishthira . Later, Pandu expressed his desire for a powerful son. This time, Kunti invoked Vayu and Bhima

1104-557: The devas who used to wait upon their father. Nahusha eventually became arrogant, and was punished severely, as he was cursed by the saptrishi (seven sages) to be snake and to live further in Naraka (Hell). Indra was once more reinstated as the king of the devas. The Mahabharata mentions about Yayati's achievements. He performed 100 Rajasuyas , 100 Ashvamedhas , 100 Vajapeyas , 1000 Atiratras , 1000 Pundarikas and innumerable Agnishthomas and Chaturmasyas . Wherever he hurled

1152-555: The following in lines 22–23. "Samudragupta, whose formidable rule was propitiated with the payment of all tributes, execution of orders and visits (to his court) for obeisance by such frontier rulers as those of Samataṭa, Ḍavāka , Kāmarūpa , Nēpāla , and Kartṛipura , and, by the Mālavas , Ārjunāyanas , Yaudhēyas , Mādrakas , Ābhīras , Prārjunas, Sanakānīkas, Kākas, Kharaparikas , Karna and other nations" Yayati Yayati ( Sanskrit : ययाति , romanized :  Yayāti )

1200-428: The four kings of Madra. Madra Custom of Marriage Bhishma , the fatherlike guardian of Kuru king Pandu went to the capital of Madra, to ask for Shalya 's sister as a bride to Pandu. Upon which Shalya replies:- "There is a custom in our family observed by our ancestors, which, be it good or bad, I am incapable of transgressing it. It is well-known, and therefore is known to thee as well, I doubt not." The custom

1248-464: The hopes that she would conceive. In due course, Devayani gives birth to two sons: Yadu and Turvasu, while Sharmishtha begets three sons: Druhyu, Anudruhyu, and Puru. Eventually, Devayani learns of her husband's affair with Sharmishtha, and complains to her father. Enraged at his son-in-law's disobedience, Shukra curses Yayati with premature old age in punishment for inflicting such pain upon his daughter. However, on learning Sharmishtha's desire to become

1296-449: The intent of making love, he would die. Upset and seeking to repent his deed, Pandu handed his kingdom to Dhritarashtra and left for exile in the forest. There, he started to lead the life of an ascetic with his wives. As a consequence of Kindama's curse, Pandu became incapable of fathering any children. One day, Pandu was regaling the story of his birth and his wish of becoming a father to his first wife, Kunti . Kunti told him about

1344-438: The kingdom, but turns it down, and instead becomes an ascetic . Yayati then becomes king in his place and rules the earth. He appoints his four younger brothers to rule the world's cardinal directions. One day, Sharmishtha, daughter of the daitya king Vrishaparvan , and Devayani, daughter of Shukra, go with Sharmishtha's retinue to bathe in a forest pool not far from their home. While they bathe, Indra transforms himself into

1392-400: The last day (18th day) of Kurukshetra War . Shalya was rated by Bhishma as an Athiratha ( a great chariot-warrior) (5,166). Shalya was also skilled in knowledge of steeds and in driving the chariot on the battlefield (8,31). For this reason, Shalya was forced to be the charioteer of Karna for one day during the war. Shalya had two sons named Rukmangada and Rukmaratha (1,188). Rukmaratha

1440-424: The name of Vyushitaswa. His wife was Bhadra, the daughter of Kakshivat (Kakshivat was the son of Gautama-Dirghatamas, begotten upon the servant-maid of the queen of a king named Vali who ruled in the outskirts of Magadha . (See also Anga and Magadha ). Seven sons were born to Bhadra, after the death of Vyushitaswa. Later they all became kings. Three of them became the three kings of Salwa and four of them became

1488-482: The quarrel. Shukra is enraged, and to placate him, Vrishaparvan agrees to offer a thousand maids, along with his daughter Sharmishtha, to serve Devayani. Some time afterwards, Yayati meets Devayani again, and the two fall in love. After Shukra offers his consent, the two marry. When Devayani moves to Yayati's palace after her marriage, Sharmishtha, now her maidservant, also goes along. Shukra, however, sternly warns Yayati never to have any affairs with Sharmishtha. After

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1536-542: The realm of heaven. Five golden chariots arrived and took them to the region of eternal bliss, because of the merits of his grandsons and his own. Another one of his descendants (through Puru ) was King Bharata , the son of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala . Further descendants were part of the Kuru kingdom , including Shantanu , Dhritarashtra , Pandu , Yudhishthira , Abhimanyu , and Parikshit . In modern language and usage, trading conscientious behaviour for external gain

1584-567: The region of Brahma and sometimes stayed at Amaravati, the region of Indra . One day, when Yayati and Indra were conversing, Indra asked him questions. Indra asked him how many sacrifices he did and whom he was equal to in sacrifices. Yayati boastingly said the number of his sacrifices was innumerable, and proclaimed his superiority. Indra was angered by this bragging, and threw Yayati out of heaven. Yayati begged his pardon, so Indra said even though he would be thrown out of heaven, he would fall amidst virtuous and wise humans. Thus, while Yayati fell from

1632-405: The sway of the Pandavas . The illustrious prince deserving the hospitality and entertainment at his uncle's hands, was well entertained by his uncle. Nakula obtained from Shalya a large quantity of jewels and gems and left his kingdom. Madra king Shalya , came with an Akshouhini of troops to join the army of Pandavas , since his nephews viz the twins Nakula and Sahadeva were none other than

1680-408: The wars between kings of Aryavarta (North Indian kingdoms where Vedic culture of the norm, prevailed). Their soldiers used to aid both the parties engaged in a battle on a payment basis. Probably this was the reason why Shalya, the Madra king, has to side with Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra War , since he was tricked to accept the payment for siding with Duryodhana. Another collective name denoting

1728-727: The western kingdoms is Arashtra or Aratta , meaning a kingless country. This raises the doubt, whether these countries were a republic ruled by elected chiefs, if we take the positive sense of the word. In a negative sense the word Arashtra can mean a kingdom with no control or with utter disorder. The Yavanas , the Kiratas , the Chinas , the Savaras , the Barbaras, the Sakas , the Tusharas ,

1776-533: The whole world and was the Chakravarti ("Universal Monarch" or "World Emperor"). He married Devayani , the daughter of Shukra , and also took Sharmishtha , daughter of king Vrishaparvan , and the maid of Devayani , as his mistress. Upon hearing of his relationship with Sharmishtha, Devayani complained to her father, who in turn cursed Yayati to old age in the prime of life, but later allowed him to exchange it with his son, Puru . His story finds mention in

1824-457: The world to spend his remaining days as a forest ascetic. His spiritual practices are, at long last, blessed with success and, alone in the deep woods, he is rewarded with ascension to Svarga - the heavenly realm of the righteous, ruled by Indra , that is but one step below the ultimate liberation of moksha . Yayati ascended to heaven due to his virtues. He was so virtuous that he could travel to many celestial regions. Sometimes, he went to

1872-683: The youngest Pandavas. His troops marched slowly on every day from Madra ( Punjab province of Pakistan) to Upaplavya (somewhere on the border of Rajasthan and Haryana ), the Matsya city, where the Pandavas were camped. When his army reached Kurujangala (the kingdom of the Pandavas, the modern-day Haryana ), Duryodhana 's men intercepted the army. They, without revealing their identity, received Shalya and his men, made tents for them and refreshed them with all comforts. The Madra soldiers also received payment from Duryodhana's officers for taking part in

1920-420: Was born pale. Thus, Pandu's name means pale. Pandu along with his elder half-brother Dhritarashtra , was trained in the military arts by Bhishma and Kripacharya . Bhishma also taught Pandu in the fields of archery, politics, administration and religion. He was an excellent archer and Maharathi (warrior). When it came time to nominate an heir, Vidura suggested that Pandu would be a better fit because he

1968-562: Was born. Pandu suggested Kunti to invoke Indra and a valiant son, Arjuna , was born. Pandu felt bad for Madri's childlessness, and thus requested Kunti to share her mantra with her. Heeding his request, Kunti revealed her mantra once to Pandu's younger wife. Madri invoked the Ashvin twins , and then gave birth to Nakula and Sahadeva . One day, Pandu forgot about the curse and was suddenly filled with lust for Madri. Despite her pleas, he proceeded to engage in sexual intercourse with her. After

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2016-425: Was mentioned as participating in the war. Similarly, many brothers of Shalya also participated in the war. His younger brother was slain by Abhimanyu (8,5). He is also called as Mukappan. There were other Madra kings like Dyutimat mentioned at (1,95) as the father-in-law of Pandava Sahadeva . Nakula , during his military campaign to the west, to collect tribute for Yudhishthira 's Rajasuya sacrifice came to

2064-454: Was not blind, like Dhritarashtra. Pandu became the successor to his kingdom and was crowned King of the Kuru kingdom , with capital at Hastinapura. Pandu conquered the territories of the Sindhu kingdom , Kashi , Anga , Trigarta kingdom , Kalinga , Magadha , etc., and thus re-established their supremacy over all the kings and increased the span of his empire. Pandu was married to Kunti ,

2112-418: Was that the groom had to give dowry to the kinsmen of the bride. Bhishma gave much wealth to Shalya and took Madri as the bride for Pandu (1,113). Pandava Sahadeva married Vijaya, the daughter of Dyutimat, the king of Madra, obtaining her in a self-choice ceremony and begat upon her a son named Suhotra. (1,95) Aswapati was the son of Madra (the founder of Madra kingdom) and grandson of King Shibi . He

2160-423: Was the father of Savitri the famous princess of Madra, who became the lover (and later, wife) of the famous Salwa prince Satyavan . Aswapati's wife was from a minor tribe known as Malava . She was known as Malavi (3,291). The sons of Aswapati and Malavi, later became the powerful Malava kings. They spread their kingdom as far as Avanti ( Ujjain , Madhya Pradesh ). Thus the royal line of Malavas originated from

2208-507: Was the king of Kuru kingdom , with capital at Hastinapur in the epic Mahabharata . He was the foster-father of the five Pandavas , who are the central characters of the epic. Pandu was born pale, to Vichitravirya 's second wife, Ambalika . Pandu married Kunti and Madri . Following sage Kindama 's curse, his sons were born through the boons bestowed upon his wife Kunti by a number of deities, owing to his inability to bear children. When Vichitravirya died due to sickness, Bhishma

2256-409: Was the sage Kindama and his wife who were making love in the form of deer. The dying sage placed a curse on Pandu, for not only had he killed them in the midst of lovemaking , but was not remorseful for his actions either. King Pandu argued with sage Kindama by misquoting sage Agastya's ruling on the right of Kshatriyas' on hunting. Sage Kindama then cursed Pandu that were he to approach his wives with

2304-526: Was unable to ascend the throne because of his vow, and Bahlika 's line was unwilling to leave the Bahlika kingdom . There ensued a succession crisis in Hastinapura. Satyavati then invited her son Vyasa to impregnate the queens Ambika and Ambalika under the Niyoga practice . When Vyasa approached Ambalika, she was frightened by his scary appearance, and she had become pale in disgust; hence, her son

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