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Kuru Kingdom

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This article is about the kingdom of Kuru in Indian epic literature. For the historical kingdom, see Kuru (kingdom).
The Kuru kingdom was ruled by the Kuru clan of kings. The Pandavas and Kauravas were Kurus. Other than these Kurus of India, there was another kingdom called Uttara Kurus to the north of Himalayas. The Kuru kingdom of India lied between Saraswati River and river Ganga. It was split into two parts.

Contents

Kurujangala

This kingdom was ruled by the Pandava king Yudhisthira. It was located between river Saraswati and river Yamuna. On a modern map of India, this kingdom roughly forms most of the Haryana state. Indraprastha (now known as Delhi the capital of India) was its capital.

Initially this was the western part of the Kuru kingdom ruled by the ancient Kuru kings. It was filled with forests like Khandava (eastern Hariyana), Rohitaka (Rohtak) and numerous other bush-lands. King Dhritarashtra gave this land to Yudhisthira to end the rivalry between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Yudhisthira made this waste-land into a prosperous country to the envy of the Kauravas. His brother Arjuna, with the aid of Vasudeva Krishna, cleared the [handava Forest, after the destruction and rehabitation of the settlements of Nagas, Danavas and Rakshasas who dwelled in those regions. Danava Maya was the chief architect of the constructions of the new kingdom, such as the royal court of Yudhisthira at Indraprastha.

Kuru Proper

Kuru Proper was under Kaurava king Duryodhana. It was located to the east of the Kurujangala kingdom of the Pandavas between the river Yamuna and river Ganga. On a modern map this kingdom roughly forms the western part of Uttar Pradesh bordering Haryana. Hastinapura (now a small town named Hastinapur 37 km north-east of Meerut city in Uttar Pradesh, was identified as its capital.

Later, Duryodhana the son of Dhritarashtra unrighteously annexed Kurujangala kingdom of the Pandavas to his kingdom, causing a dispute. This dispute grew into the Kurukshetra war, which is the central theme of the epic, Mahabharata. Almost all of the contemporary kingdoms took part in this war and lost their kings, generals and armies including a few million young able-bodied men. This resulted in a great socio-economic depression in ancient India, which was otherwise known as the 'Kali Yuga' or the 'Dark Age'.

Uttara Kuru

See the main article Uttara Kuru Kingdom, for more details.

Other than the Kurus of India ruled by the Pandavas and the Kauravas, there was this another kingdom called Uttara Kurus to the north of Himalayas. Some historians identify this kingdom as Kyrgistan, a central Asian republic. In the epic we see the narration of Kuru warrior Bhishma abducting three brides from Kasi kingdom for making them wives of his half-brother Vichitavirya. This same costom of abduction of brides by bridegroom or his allies for marrying them, still prevails in Kyrgistan. Some point of time during the reign of Pururavas-Aila (the first king mentioned in the line of lunar dynasty of Indian kings) Uttara Kuru and the Kurus of India could have belonged to the same Kuru Empire. Arjuna collected tribute from Uttara Kuru during his northern military campaign for Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice. In some places, the epic attributes god-like features to the people of Uttara Kuru, describing them as ageless and diseaseless. They were also considered to follow a republican constitution with no monarchy. In another place, Uttara Kuru was considered as the region of Devas (gods) themselves.

References of Kuru Kingdom in Mahabharata

The First Kuru King

Samvarana, in the line of Pururavas-Aila, begat upon his wife, Tapati, the daughter of Surya (a Solar Dynasty king), a son named Kuru. This Kuru was exceedingly virtuous, and therefore, he was installed on the throne by his people. It is after his name that the field called Kurujangala has become so famous in the world. Devoted to asceticism, he made that field Kurukshetra sacred by practising asceticism there (1,94).

The descendands of king Puru

When Janamejaya wished to hear the history of kings who were descended from Puru. Vaisampayana narrated the lineage of kings in Puru’s line.

Emperor Bharata

Puru had by his wife Paushti three sons, Pravira, Iswara, and Raudraswa. Amongst them, Pravira was the perpetuator of the dynasty. Pravira had by his wife Suraseni a son named Manasyu. Manasyu had for his wife Sauviri. he begat upon her three sons called Sakta, Sahana, and Vagmi. Raudraswa begat upon the Apsara Misrakesi ten sons. They all had sons. They are Richeyu, Kaksreyu Vrikeyu, Sthandileyu, Vaneyu, Jaleyu, Tejeyu, Satyeyu, Dharmeyu and Sannateyu the tenth.

Amongst them all, Richeyu became the sole monarch and was known by the name of Anadhrishti. Anadhristi had a son of the name of Matinara who became a famous and virtuous king and performed the Rajasuya and the Ashwamedha. Matinara had four sons viz., Tansu, Mahan, Atiratha, and Druhyu. (Amongst them, Tansu of great prowess became the perpetrator of Puru’s line). Tansu begat a son named Ilina. Ilina begat upon his wife Rathantara five sons with Dushmanta (Dushyanta) at their head. They were Dushmanta, Sura, Bhima, Pravasu, and Vasu (Vasu is mentioned as the founder of Chedi Kingdom). The eldest of them, Dushmanta, became king. Dushmanta had by his wife Sakuntala an intelligent son named Bharata who became king. Bharata gave his name to the race of which he was the founder. It is from him that the fame of that dynasty hath spread so wide. Bharata begat upon his three wives nine sons in all. But none of them were like their father and so Bharata was not at all pleased with them. Their mothers, therefore, became angry and slew them all. The procreation of children by Bharata, therefore, became vain.

The monarch then performed a great sacrifice and through the grace of Bharadwaja obtained a son named Bhumanyu. Then Bharata, the great descendant of Puru, regarding himself as really possessing a son, installed that son as his heir-apparent. Bhumanyu begat upon his wife, Pushkarini six sons named Suhotra, Suhotri, Suhavih, Sujeya, Diviratha and Kichika. During the virtuous reign of Suhotra the surface of the whole earth was dotted all over with hundreds and thousands, of sacrificial stakes. Suhotra, begat, upon his wife Aikshaki three sons, viz., Ajamidha, Sumidha, and Purumidha. The eldest of them, Ajamidha, was the perpetuator of the royal line. he begat six sons,--Riksha was born of the womb of his wife Dhumini; Dushmanta and Parameshthin, of his wife Nili; Jahnu, Jala and Rupina were born of his wife Kesini.

Branches of Panchalas and Kusikas

Temprary Exile of the forefathers of Kurus

Riksha (the mountains in east-central India were known as Riksha mountains (Ramgarh hills)) who was older than both Jala and Rupina became king. Riksha begat Samvarana, the perpetuator of the royal line.It hath been heard that while Samvarana, the son of Riksha, was ruling, there happened a great loss of people from famine, pestilence, drought, and disease. The Bharata princes were beaten by the troops of enemies. The Panchalas with their ten Akshauhinis the Bharata prince. Samvarana then with his wife and ministers, sons and relatives, fled in fear, and took shelter in the forest on the banks of the Sindhu extending to the foot of the (western) mountains.

There the Bharatas lived for a full thousand years (for a long period), within their fort. After they had lived there a long perioed, one day the sage Vasishtha approached the exiled Bharatas.

It hath been heard that Vasishtha (becoming the priest) then installed the Bharata prince in the sovereignty of all the Kshatriyas. The king retook the capital that had been taken away from him and once more made all monarchs pay tribute to him. The powerful Samvarana, was thus installed once more in the actual sovereignty of the whole land.

The oringin of Kuru Dynasty

Samvarana married, Tapati (whose abode was on the banks of river Tapati (Tapti, Maharashtra) , the daughter of Surya (a king of the Solar Dynasty) with the help of Vasistha a priest of Solar Dynasty kings. Samvarana begat in Tapati, a son named Kuru. This Kuru was exceedingly virtuous, and therefore, he was installed on the throne by his people. It is after his name that the field called Kurujangala (eastern Hariyana) has become so famous in the world. Devoted to asceticism, he made that field Kurukshetra sacred by practising asceticism there. He was the founder of the Kuru dynasty and the Kuru Kingdom.

Kuru’s wife, Vahini, brought forth five sons, viz., Avikshit, Bhavishyanta, Chaitraratha, Muni and Janamejaya-1. Avikshit begat Parikshit-1, Savalaswa, Adhiraja (See Karusha Kingdom), Viraja, Salmali, Uchaihsravas, Bhangakara and Jitari the eighth. In the race of these were born, as the fruit of their pious acts seven mighty car-warriors with Janamejaya-2 at their head. Unto Parikshit-1 were born sons named Kakshasena, Ugrasena, Chitrasena, Indrasena, Sushena and Bhimasena. The sons of Janamejaya-2 were Dhritarashtra-1 who was the eldest, Pandu-1, Valhika-1, Nishadha , Jamvunada, Kundodara, Padati, Vasati the eighth.

Birth of Kuru king Santanu

Among them Dhritarashtra-1 became king. Dhritarashtra-1 had eight sons, viz., Kundika, Hasti, Vitarka, Kratha, Havihsravas, Indrabha, and Bhumanyu. Dhritarashtra-1 had many grandsons, of whom three only were famous. They were Pratipa, Dharmanetra, Sunetra. Among these three, Pratipa became unrivalled on earth. Pratipa begat three sons, viz., Devapi, Santanu, and the mighty car-warrior Valhika-2. The eldest Devapi adopted the ascetic course of life, impelled thereto by the desire of benefiting his brothers. the kingdom was obtained by Santanu and the mighty car-warrior Valhika-2 (See Bahlika Kingdom). There were born in the race of Bharata numberless other excellent monarchs who by their number swelled the Aila dynasty into gigantic proportions.

The Vahlika king who took part in Kurukshetra War was Vahlika-3. Dhritarashtra who was the father of Duryodhana was Dritarashtra-2. Pandu the father of Pandavas was Pandu-2. There were many kings named Janamejaya and Parikhsit in the lineage of Aila-Puru-Bharata-Kuru dynasty. The Janamejaya unto whome Vaisampayana narrated the history of his forefathers was the last among the Janamejayas viz Janamejaya 3 or 4. He was the son of the last among the kings named Parikshit

The lineage from Daksha to Janamejaya’s grandson

Janamejaya wished to know the lineage of his forefathers in detail commencing from Manu, the first king known to humanity. Vaisampayana narrated that lineage in detail.

Lunar Dynasty

Pururavas is considered as the first king in the Lunar Dynasty.

Daksha begat Aditi (one of the 13 great mothers in the ancient world), and Aditi begat Vivaswat, Vivaswat (belonging to the Solar Dynasty) begat Manu, and Manu begat Ha and Ha begat Pururavas. (In another reference Pururavas is mentioned as the son of Ila (1,75), the daughter of Manu. Hence he was called Pururavas-Aila. A sage named Budha (Vudha) (7,141) of Lunar Dynasty who came from a northern region into ancient India to practice ascetism is mentioned as his father. Some historians link Ila with the Ili river in central Asia. The name Ha is thought of to be of Chinese origin). Pururavas begat Ayus (in an Apsara lady (a female Gandharva) ).

Some historians link Ha with the Haha, Huhu Gandharvas.

Birth of Yadu, Turvusu, Druhyu, Anu and Puru

Yadu and Turvusu contained the genes of Bhargavas, considered to be a priest-class among Asuras. Druhyu, Anu and Puru contained the genes of Asura kings, the warrior-class among the Asuras. Thus the lineage of ancient Indian kings is a mixture of diverse races of people. Yadu's line gave rise to the Yadavas and Purus line the Pauravas. The others viz Turvusu, Druhyu and Anu gave rise to the races collectively called by the Vedic tribes (predominantly Purus) as Mlecchas. They included the Tusharas, Yavanas and Anavas (some believe them to be ancient Iranian tribes).

Ayus begat Nahusha (also considered to be a Naga), and Nahusha begat Yayati. Yayati had two wives, viz., Devayani, the daughter of Usanas (Bhargava Sukra), and Sarmishtha the daughter of (Asura king) Vrishaparvan. Devayani gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu; and Vrishaparvan’s daughter, Sarmishtha gave birth to Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. The descendants of Yadu are the Yadavas and of Puru are the Pauravas.

Puru Dynasty

Puru had a wife of the name of Kausalya, on whom he begat a son named Janamejaya-1 who performed three horse-sacrifices and a sacrifice called Viswajit. Then he entered into the woods. Janamejaya had married Ananta, the daughter of Madhava, and begat upon her a son called Prachinwat. the prince was so called because he had conquered all the eastern countries up to the very confines of the region where the Sun rises (Arunachal Pradesh).

The lineage upto Emperor Bharata

Prachinwat married Asmaki, a daughter of the Yadavas and begat upon her a son named Sanyati. Sanyati married Varangi, the daughter of Drishadwata (probably dwelling in the shores of Dhrisadwati river, in Hariyana) and begat upon her a son named Ahayanti. Ahayanti married Bhanumati, the daughter of Kritavirya and begat upon her a son named Sarvabhauma. Sarvabhauma married Sunanda, the daughter of the Kekaya prince, having obtained her by force. he begat upon her a son named Jayatsena, who married Susrava, the daughter of the Vidarbha king and begat upon her Avachina, Avachina also married another princess of Vidarbha, Maryada by name. he begat on her a son named Arihan. Arihan married Angi and begat on her Mahabhauma. Mahabhauma married Suyajna, the daughter of Prasenajit. of her was born Ayutanayi. he was so called because he had performed a sacrifice at which the fat of an Ayuta (ten thousands) of male beings was required. Ayutanayi took for a wife Kama, the daughter of Prithusravas. By her was born a son named Akrodhana, who took to wife Karambha, the daughter of the king of Kalinga. of her was born Devatithi, and Devatithi took for his wife Maryada, the princess of Videha. Of her was born a son named Arihan. Arihan took to wife Sudeva, the princess of Anga, and upon her he begat a son named Riksha. Riksha married Jwala, the daughter of Naga Takshaka, and he begat upon her a son of the name of Matinara, who performed on the bank of Saraswati River the twelve years’ sacrifice said to be so efficacious.He married a maiden from the Saraswati valley. He begat upon her a son named Tansu.

Tansu himself begat a son named Ilina on his wife, the princess Kalingi. Ilina begat on his wife Rathantari five sons, of whom Dushyanta was the eldest. Dushyanta took to wife Sakuntala, the daughter of Viswamitra. He begat on her a son named Bharata.

Bharata dynasty

Bharata married Sunanda, the daughter of Sarvasena, the king of Kasi, and begat upon her the son named Bhumanyu. Bhumanyu married Vijaya, the daughter of Dasarha. He begat upon her a son Suhotra who married Suvarna, the daughter of Ikshvaku. To her was born a son named Hasti who founded this city, which has, therefore, been called Hastinapura. Hasti married Yasodhara, the princess of Trigarta. Of her was born a son named Vikunthana who took for a wife Sudeva, the princess of Dasarha. By her was born a son named Ajamidha. Ajamidha had four wives named Kaikeyi, Gandhari, Visala and Riksha. he begat on them numerous (2400) sons. But amongst them all, Samvarana became the perpetuator of the dynasty. Samvarana took for his wife Tapati (who dwelled near Tapati Tapti river in Maharashtra), the daughter of Vivaswat (Surya, or one belinging to the Solar Dynasty).

Kuru Dynasty

From Tapati was born Kuru, who married Subhangi, the princess of Dasarha. He begat on her a son named Viduratha, who took to wife Supriya, the daughter of the Madhavas. He begat upon her a son named Anaswan. Anaswan married Amrita, the daughter of the Madhavas. Of her was born a son named Parikshit-1, who took for his wife Suvasa, the daughter of the Vahudas, and begat upon her a son named Bhimasena. Bhimasena married Kumari, the princess of Kekaya and begat upon her Pratisravas whose son was Pratipa. Pratipa married Sunanda, the daughter of Sivi, and begat upon her three sons, viz., Devapi, Santanu and Valhika-1. Devapi, while still a boy, entered the woods as a hermit. Santanu became king.

The descendands of Santanu

Those old men that were touched by this monarch not only felt an indescribable sensation of pleasure but also became restored to youth. Therefore, this monarch was called Santanu. Santanu married a maiden living in the visinity of Ganga, who bore him a son Devavrata who was afterwards called Bhishma. Bhishma, moved by the desire of doing good to his father, got Santanu married to Satyavati who was also called Gandhakali. In her maidenhood she had a son by Parasara, named Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa. Upon her Santanu begat two other sons named Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. Before they attained to majority, Chitrangada had been slain by the Gandharvas. Vichitravirya became king, and married the two daughters of the king of Kasi, named Amvika and Amvalika. But Vichitravirya died childless.

Birth of Pandavas and Kauravas

Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa on the request of mother Satyavati begat three children, viz., Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura upon the widowed wives of Vichitravirya. King Dhritarashtra had a hundred sons by his wife, Gandhari in consequence of the boon granted by Dwaipayana. amongst those hundred sons of Dhritarashtra, four became celebrated. They are Duryodhana, Duhsasana, Vikarna, and Chitrasena. Pandu had two jewels of wives, viz., Kunti, also called Pritha, and Madri. Pandu was childless. So Kunti raised up offspring upon the wishes of Pandu. By Dharma she had Yudhishthira; by Maruta, Bhima: and by Sakra, Arjuna. On Madri were raised by the twin Aswins, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva. These five became well known as the Pandavas. Pandu and Madri died. After some time those five Pandavas were taken by the ascetics of the woods to Hastinapura. Duryodhana became exceedingly jealous of them and tried to murder them. Pandavas escaped all the murder attempts by Duryodhana and married Draupadi the Panchala princess, for a wife. They then ruled half of the Kuru kingdom, with Indraprastha as their capital.

The sons of Pandavas

During that time Yudhishthira begat Prativindhya; Bhima, Sutasoma; Arjuna, Srutakriti; Nakula, Satanika; and Sahadeva, Srutakarman. Besides these, Yudhishthira, having obtained for his wife Devika, the daughter of Govasana of the Saivya tribe, in a self-choice ceremony, begat upon her a son named Yaudheya. Bhima also obtaining for a wife Valandhara, the daughter of the king of Kasi, offered his own prowess as dower and begat upon her a son named Sarvaga. Arjuna also, repairing to Dwaravati, brought away by force Subhadra. the sweet-speeched sister of Vasudeva Krishna, and returned in happiness. He begat upon her a son named Abhimanyu. Nakula obtaining for his wife Karenumati, the princess of Chedi, begat upon her a son named Niramitra. Sahadeva also 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. Bhimasena had some time before begat upon Hidimva a son named Ghatotkacha. Arjuna also begat a son named Iravat upon the Naga lady Uloopi and another son named Vabhruvahana upon Chitrangada a princess from a southern country known as Manipura.

Abhimanyu, Parikshit, Janamejaya and his descendands

Amongst them all, Abhimanyu was the perpetuator of the family. He married Uttara, the daughter of Virata who begat a son named Parikshit. He was born as a dead child, but was revived by Krishna in an experiment Hence he is called Parikshita. Parikshit married Madravati. Her son was Janamejaya. Jamamejaya, in his wife Vapushtama begat two sons named Satanika and Sankukarna. Satanika also hath begotten one son named Aswamedhadatta upon the princess of Videha.

Military academy of Drona

Hastinapura the capital of Kuru kingdom was the center of military education during the period of Mahabharata. Drona was the foremost of the preceptors in all modes of warfare. Drona himself learned the science of warfare from his father Bharadwaja and the great warrior of the age viz Bhargava Rama. Bhishma also was a desciple of Bhargava Rama, who was the foremost of the Kuru warriors. Kripa was anoter preceptor of arms. Under the guidance of all these scions of millatary science, the Pandavas and Kauravas became highly skilled in warfare. This military academy was the reason for the dominance of Kauravas and Pandavas among the kingdoms of ancient India. Archary, Mace fight, sword fight, other weapons like javaline --- these in permutation with the modes of warfare viz on foot, on a horse, in a chariot and on a war-elephant --- all these were taught by Drona to his desciples in this academy. He also taught how to form military formations and how to strategize the military moves and how to ride chariots. Archary was the speciality taught in excellance by Drona, especially when the bowman was moving in a chariot. Arjuna and Karna was the foremost among his desciples as a bowman. Bhima and Duryodhana excelled in mace-fight; Dhristadyumna, Nakula and Sahadeva excelled in sword-fight.

Even the Dhristadyumna, the prince from the Panchala Kingdom which was closest competator of the Kurus for dominance in Aryavarta, came to study the science of warfare under Drona, in his military accadamy at Hastinapura, the capital of Kurus (1,169). Others who come to Hastinapura seeking military science were Ekalavya the prince of Nishada Kingdom (1,134) and Karna the prince from Anga Kingdom, ruled by Suta tribes.

The territories of Lunar Dynasty kings

The first king Pururavas was always surrounded by companions that were superhuman (See Exotic Tribes of Ancient India). It was Pururavas who first brought from the region of the Gandharvas the three kinds of fire (1,75). His kingdom lied probably beyond the Himalayas in Tibet or still north in Xinjiyang or in Kyrgistan. Nahusha is mentioned as ruling even the territories of Devas (some where in Tibet). Yayati was the first king in the line to interact with the Asura clans like the Vrishaparvas (Vrishaparva's kingdom lied to the north of Uttaranchal, in Tibet). Yayati's son Puru established the Paurava dynasty, one of the branches of the Lunar Dynasty. He probably ruled the regions south of Himalayas in Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Among the descendands of Puru, Dushyanta's son Bharata was the foremost who established the Bharata dynasty. During this time the dynasty ruled the whole regions now known as the Indo-Gangatic plain and extended their power upto the Vindhya ranges in the south. In his line, was born Samvarana. During the time of Samvarana, the dynasty was banished by the Panchalas to south and west. There they lived on the banks of Sindhu and in the valleys of the western mountains. Samvarana's son Kuru established the Kuru dynasty and re-established in their old territory in the Indo-Gangatic plain. They ruled the regions between Saraswati River and Ganga. This was the Kuru Kingdom inherited by Pratipa, Santanu, Vichitraviry and Dhritarashtra. During the reign of Dhritarashtra, due to his lack of interest in satisfying requsts of his subjects, the Kuru kingdom is mentioned as declining from its prospirity (9,41). Pandavas with Yudhisthira as their king temporarily raised the importance of Kuru kingdom, by his military campaigns through his four powerful brothers viz Bhima, Arjuna, [[Nakula and Sahadeva. He conqured the whole of ancient India and brought tribute from numerous kings. But that prospirity vanished in Kurukshetra War, when the Kuru warriors annihilated each other, destroying along with them, many ruling clans in ancient India. The destruction was so immense that the entire ancient India succumbed to a long-lasting socio-economic-depression. The ancient Indian texts mention this dark age of depression and anarchy as Kali Yuga.

Places in Kuru Kingdom

Hastinapura was the biggest city in Kuru Kingdom and was the capital of Kauravas, while the Pandavas ruled at Indraprastha, which grew into the second largest city of the Kuru Kingdom.

Vardhamana

Vardhamana was the northern gate of the Kuru capital Hastinapura. It was a small town in its own right. Pandavas on their exile to woods passed this town, and thus issued out of the city of Hastinapura. They then is mentioned as heading towards a northery direction to reach Pramana (Pramanakoti) at night (3,1).

Pramanakoti

Pramanakoti was a beautiful spot on the banks of Ganga, to the north of Hastinapura, the Kuru capital (1,128). Duryodhana built a palace here for sporting in the waters of Ganga. A huge banian tree was the mark of that place (3,12). Here he poisoned the food of Bhima, tied him and threw him into Ganga. Bhima was rescued by the Naga tribes living in the vicinity (1,128) (8,83) (9,56). The Pandavas on their exile to woods, ascended their cars, and setting out from Vardhamana reached the site of the mighty banian tree called Pramana (Pramanakoti) on the banks of the Ganges (3,1). From here the Pandavas set out for the forests of Kamyaka (3,3).

This place could be in Muzaffarnagar district, where Ganga turns from an east to west direction to a north to south direction. A small village near this place called Nagal, upstrean and on the other (east) side of the river could be the territory of the Nagas who rescued Bhima

Kamyaka Forest

Kamyaka forest situated in the western boundary of the Kuru Kingdom (Kuru Proper + Kurujangala), on the banks of Saraswati River. It lied to the west of the Kurukshetra plain. It contained within it a lake called Kamyaka lake (2,51). At (3,256) Kamyaka forest is mentioned as situated at the head of the desert, near lake Trinavindu. The Pandavas on their exile to woods, leaving Pramanakoti on the banks of Ganga, went towards Kurukshetra, travelling in a western direction, crossing the rivers viz Yamuna and Drisadwati. They finally reached the banks of Saraswati River. There they saw the forest of Kamyaka, the favourite haunt of ascetics, situated on a level and wild plain on the banks of the Saraswati (3-5,36) abounding in birds and deer (3,5). There the Pandavas lived in an ascetic asylum (3,10). It took 3 days for Pandavas to reach Kamyaka forest, setting out from Hastinapura, on their chariots (3,11).

During their first time stay at Kamyaka, Bhima slew Krimira a Rakshasa. Kamyaka, forest, was easily accessible for the citizens of Kurujangala. So the people of Kurujangala frequently visited their King Yudhisthira in this forest(3,23). (Their cousines viz the Yadavas, Chedis and Kekeyas also visited them here). In order to avoid such contacts they moved to the Dwaita forests (3,24).

The Pandavas came back from Dwaita woods to Kamyaka again (2nd time). This time they lived withouth Arjuna who left for military training to the north of Himalayas (3,36). They lived thus for 5 years in Kamyaka (3,50). Ghatotkacha livied with them during this period (7,181). Sage Vyasa and sage Lomasa visited them then. From there, they set out for a pilgrimage all over India, guided by Lomasa (3,93). Completing a cirlce of whole of India, they came back to Kurukshetra region, but without entering Kamyaka forest, went to the regions north of Himalayas. They came back from there with Arjuna among them and entered Kamyaka woods (3rd time) (3,181). It was rainy season then and Saraswati River was full of water that time (3,181). This time Yadavas and sage Markandeya visited them. (Markandeya was the inhabitant of the Markanda river, a part, or tributary of Saraswati River to the north of Kurukshetra district in Hariyana)

Before entering Kamyaka this time, they have also spent one year in the forests of Visakhayupa to the north of Kamyaka, on the banks of Yamuna, up on the mountains from where the river originated. It was in the midst of mountains abounding with water-falls (3,176). While dwelling here Bhima was afflicted by a snake (See Naga Kingdom)

Pandavas again shifted to the Dwaita forest(3,176) and came back to Kamyaka (4th time) afte 1 year and 8 months, seeing that the deer-population near Dwaita-lake is declining due to their presence (3,256). During this time Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu Kingdom, on his way to Salwa Kingdom passed through the Kamyaka forest (3,262). He tried to abduct Draupadi, but Pandavas prevented that attempt.

On the 12th year they left Kamyaka forest for ever and went to Dwaita woods (3,308).

Thus the Pandavas spent their 12 year forest life by shutling between Kamyaka and Dwaita. There were roads walked by travellers, furnished with excellent corn and clear water between Dwaita and Kamyaka (3,256).

Dwaita Forest

Dwaita forest situated to the south of Kamyaka. It contained within it a lake called Dwaita lake, abounding with flowers, and delightful to look at, and inhabited by many species of birds, elephants and many trees (3,24). It was the south-western outskirts of Kurujangala and thus the whole of Kuru Kingdom. It situated near the borders of the desert (northern extension of Thar desert into Hariyana) (3,176). It also lied on the banks of Saraswati River (also known there as Bhogavati)(3-24,176). The holy fig, the rudaraksha, the rohitaka, the cane and the jujube, the catechu, the sirisha, the bel and the inguda and the karira and pilu and sami trees grew on the banks of the Saraswati (3,176). Pandavas during the initial years of their 12 year exile to forests, came to Dwaita woods from Kamyaka woods, to avoid frequent visits from the people of Kurujangala It was the close of summer that time (1st time) (3,24). Then they went back to Kamyaka again (3,50).

After their pilgrimage, and after return of Arjuna from northern Himalayas they came back to Dwaita woods for a second time (3,176). Then Duryodhana came to see the Pandavas living in distress at Dwaita woods. He camped 4 miles away from the Dwaita lake (3,237). He came there in the pretencet of inspecting the cattle-stations of Kurus in the vicinity. When he reached Dwaita lake, Gandharvas imprisoned him; he got released by Pandavas (2,244).

Owing to the decline of deer-population Pandavas again shifted to Kamyaka woods (3,256). They came again to Dwaita woods (for a 3rd time) during their last (12th) year of forest life (3-176,308). Then they caused their followers to leave the forest and themselves left to Matsya Kingdom to spent their 13th year of anonymous life (3-313)

Bala Rama during his pilgrimage along Saraswati River had visited the Dwaita lake (9,37).

Varanavata

This was the ancient capital of the Kuru kings and their forefathers. It lied on the foothills of Himalayas, like the capital of northern Panchala viz Ahichatra. This city could be a place called Shibpuri to the north-east of Rishikesh in Uttaranchal. It lied to the north of Hastinapura and Pramanakoti. Pandavas lived there for one year commanded by Dhritarashtra, which was like a banishment from Hastinapura (1-61,95). At that time a festival of Siva had commenced in the town of Varanavata (1,145). The concourse of people was great and the procession was the most delightful of all ever witnessed. Varanavata was described as a beautiful and populous town. Pandavas lived there in a house made of inflamable materials like lac. Duryodhana wanted to murder the Pandavas, by setting that mansion ablaze. Pandavas escaped through an undergroud passage from that mansion (1,150). The passage took them to the outskirts of the city. Emergin out of it they reached the northern banks of Ganga. They crossed the river and reached the opposite bank and proceeded in southern direction. Finally they reached a desne forest (1,152). They were then in the territory of Rakshasas. Here Bhima slew Rakshasa Hidimba (1,156) and begat Ghatotkacha upon Hidimba his sister. Bhima sported with Hidimba for one year in the regions of Guhyakas (southern Tibet) and ascetics, on the banks of Manasa-sarovara (a lake in southern Tibet) (1,157).

Vrikasthala

This province and town were situated in the southern part of Kuru Kingdom (Kuru Proper + Kurujangala). After setting out from Upaplavya a city in the Matsya Kingdom, Vasudeva Krishna, on his journey to Hastinapura, passed through many villages abounding in bees, and many cities and minor provinces. He then reached a village called Salibhavana (Salaheri, on the Rajasthan-Hariyana boarder), which was filled with every kind of crops, a spot that was delicious and sacred. It was the southern-most populated village in the Kuru Kingdom. It was protected by Bharatas (soldiers of Bharatas ?). The citisons of Upaplavya followed Krishna upto Salibhavana. Bidding farewell to them Krishna reached the town of Vrikasthala (in Gurgaon district of Hariyana) by the evening of the day. Krishna camped there for the night (5,84). Duryodhana erected many pavalions full of precious gems, on the road extending from Vrikasthala to Hasthinapura, to welcome Krishna (5,85). Next day Krishna took leave of the Bharatas who protected Vrikasthala and proceeded to Hastinapura. Citizens of Vrikasthala bid farewell to him. Finally he was welcomed by the Kurus at Hastinapura (5,89).

Makandi

Makandi was a province running along the banks of Ganga, to the south of Hastinapura. It was a central province. The province extended to southern Panchala Kingdom, also with the same name. Kampilya the capital city of Panchala was situated in the Makandi province within the southern Panchala kingdom (1,140).

Kurukshetra

Kuru Kingdom was sometimes spocken of composed of three geographical regions viz Kuru-region (populated region), Kurujangala (sparingly populated with many forests) and Kurukshetra (a vast plain with minor bushlands).

Kurukshetra was a plain-land that lied to the south of the Saraswati River and the north of the river Drishadwati (3,83). Many battles during the epic-age was fought there. The ecounter of Gandharva king and Kuru king Chitrangada (1,101), the encounter between Bhishma and Bhargava Rama (5,181), and the Kurukshetra War; all these wars occurred there. It was also known as Brahmakshetra, due to its religious significance (3,83).

That which lies between Tarantuka and Arantuka and the lakes of Rama and Machakruka is Kurukshetra. It is also called Samantapanchaka and is said to be the northern sacrificial altar of the Grandsire (3,83). The space between the Tarantuka and the Arantuka and the lakes of Rama and Shamachakra, is known as Kurukshetra (9,53).

Himalaya, the Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati with Kurukshetra and the Sindhu with its five tributary rivers where the region mentioned as the seat of Vedic religion (8,44).

Places named after Yaksha, Mankanaka and Vishnu were mentioned here. Other places include Pariplava, Prithivi, Shalukini, Sarpadevi (Naga-Tirtha), Tarantuka the gatekeeper, Panchananda, Koti, Aswina, Varaha, Sama (Jayanti), Ekahansa, Kritasaucha, Munjavata, Yakshini (the gate of Kurukshetra, created by Bhargava Rama), Rama-hrada (5 lakes called Samantapanchaka), Vansamulaka, Kayasodhana, Lokoddara, Kapila, Surya, Gobhavana, Shankhini, Devi-tirtha, Tarantuka (on Saraswati), Brahmavarta, Sutirtha (on river Amvumati), Kasiswara, Matri tirtha, Shitavana, Shwavillomapaha, Dasaswamedhika and Manusha. To the east of Manusha is the river Apaga. Beyond it is places like Brahmodumvara, Kedara (Kapila), Saraka, Rudrakoti, Ilaspada, Kindana, Kinjapya, Kalasi, Anajanma of Narada (east of Saraka), Pundarika, Tripishtapa, Vaitarani river, Phalakivana, Dhrishadwati, Sarvadeva, Panikhata, Misraka, Vyasavana, Manojava, Madhuvati (Devi Tirtha), the confluence of the Kausiki and the Drishadwati, Vyasasthali, Kindatta, Vedi, Ahas, Sudina, Mrigadhuma, Devi tirtha, Vamanaka, Kulampuna, Pavana-hrada, Amara-hrada, Sali surya, Sreekunja (on Saraswati), Naimishakunja (on Saraswati), Kanya, Brahma, Soma, Saptasaraswata, Ausanasa, Kapalamochana, Agni, Viswamitra, Brahmayoni, Prithudaka, Madhusrava, confluence of Saraswati and Aruna, Ardhakila, Satasahasraka, Sahasraka, Renuka, Vimochana, Panchavati, Taijasa (Varuna Tirta. Here Guha (Kartikeya) became the generalissimo of DEva army), Kuru-Tirta, Svargadwara, Anaraka, Swastipura, Pavana, Ganga-hrada, Kupa, Sthanuvata, Vadaripachana (Vasistha), Indramarga, Ekaratra, Aditya, Soma, Dadhicha, Kanyasrama, Sannihati (on Saraswati) and Koti-tirtha (of Yaksha Machakruka) (3,83).

King Pandu made Kurujangala, Kurukshetra, and the Kuru-region to grew in prosperity (1,109). Kurukshetra was the place where king Kuru, the founder of the Kuru dynasty, lived as an ascetic (1,94) Kuru is mentioned to use this land for agriculture also (9,53). Nagas also lived there (1,3). Similarly Asuras viz Sunda and Upasunda also lived there (1,213). The generallisimo of Deva army viz Guha (Kartikeya) also is linked with this place. (This could be one among the many places where the Devas formerly vanquished the Asuras). Janamejaya is mentioned to have performing a long sacrifice at Kurukshetra (1,3). Dhritarashtra spent his last days in the forests close to Kurukshetra (15,19). (See Also Kekeya Kingdom)

The portion of Saraswati River, flowing through Kurukshetra was known as Oghavati. Oghavati is mentioned to be same as Saraswati at (9,38). Bhishma lied in Kurukshetra War during his last days on the banks of Oghavati (12,50). Oghavat was a king (grandfather of Nriga), whose daughter was named Oghavati who dwelt in Kurukshetra, with his fire-worshiping husband Sudarsana (13,2). Another king Oghavat is mentioned as an ally of Salwa king who took part in Kurukshetra War and slain by Bhima (8,5). On the last day of the war Pandavas came to the banks of this river, leaving their camp on the banks of Hiranwati river (9,62).

Army camps of Kauravas for Kurukshetra War

Duryodhana had a force which numbered eleven Akshauhinis bristling with banners of various forms. There was no space in the city of Hastinapura even for the principal leaders of Duryodhana’s army. For this reason the land of the five rivers (Punjab), and the whole of the region called Kurujangala (Delhi and eastern Hariyana), and the forest of Rohitaka (Rohtak district in Hariyana) which was uniformly wild, and Ahichatra and Kalakuta (both in Northern Panchala (ie Uttara-Panchala viz Uttaranchal), and the banks of the Ganga, and Varana, and Vatadhana, and the hill tracts on the border of the Yamuna—the whole of this extensive tract—full of abundant corn and wealth, was entirely overspread with the army of the Kauravas, to battle in the Kurukshetra War. (5,19).

Army camps of Pandavas for Kurukshetra War

King Yudhishthira caused his troops to encamp on a part of the field that was level, cool, and abounding with grass and fuel. Avoiding cemeteries, temples and compounds consecrated to the deities, asylums of sages, shrines, and other sacred plots. Dhristadyumna and Satyaki measured the ground for encampment. The camp was constructed on the banks of Hiranwati which flows through Kurukshetra, whose bed was divested of pointed pebbles and mire (5,153).

Kurus in Kurukshetra War

The whole Kurukshetra War was fought for the sake of the two factions of the royal family of the Kurus, viz the Kauravas and the Pandavas. They brought into this war almost all the rulers of ancient India. The colossal destruction of life and wealth in this war led ancient India into a socio-economic depression (otherwise known as the Kali Yuga or the dark age) that lasted for a long period .

The prominent Kuru heroes who fought in the war were the five Pandavas, their sons, Duryodhana and his brothers, their sons and the Kuru grandsire viz Bhishma. The remote cousines of the Kurus in Bahlika, who were also considered as Kurus, also fought the war. They were king Bahlika, his son Somadatta and Somadatta's sons viz Bhurisravas and Sala. Drona and Kripa, the two preceptors in military science who dwelled with the Kurus, and who were counted among the Kuru warriors, also participated in the war.

For further details see Kurukshetra War

Establishment of Yadava rulers in Kurujangala

After the Yadava rule in Dwaraka ended when the Dwaraka island sank into ocean, Arjuna, bringing the remnant Yadavas from there to Kurukshetra, established them in various regions around Kurukshetra.

The son of Kritavarma (the Bhoja-Yadava hero) was established in the city called Martikavata. (It was the capital of Salwa Kingdom that lied to the south-west of Kurujangala). Vrishni-Yadava hero viz Satyaki's son was established on the banks of Saraswati River. Prince Vajra of Vasudeva Krishna's line was established at Indraprastha (16,7).

The Kuru lineage was continued by Parikshit the son of Abhimanyu, at Hastinapura, after the rule of Pandava king Yudhisthira. Parikshit's son Janamejaya was the last famous Kuru king

See also

References

Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

 

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