Anila

THE LIVING ARCHIVE

About Anila

Tansu is his father and Rantinara his grandfather. The text gives Anila four sons and names Dushyanta as the eldest. Dushyanta then becomes the father of Bharata through Shakuntala, placing Anila one generation before the child whose name marks a major royal branch.

AT A GLANCE

Identity & Context

Identity: King
Form: Paurava Royal House
Tradition: Puranic Royal Genealogy

Family & Relationships

ParentTansu
Tansu is the parent of Anila.
ChildDushyanta
Anila is the parent of Dushyanta.

IN THE TRADITION

Recorded Context

Before Dushyanta and Bharata

The next generation receives a fuller story when Dushyanta’s acknowledgment of Shakuntala’s son becomes an issue. Divine words establish the child’s place, and Bharata is accepted as the king’s son. This event belongs to Anila’s son and grandson, while Anila’s own role in the account is their immediate royal ancestry.

The later branch reaches Dushyanta and Shakuntala’s son Bharata. Bharata’s succession becomes a separate turning point when the royal line continues through Vitatha, identified with Bharadvaja in this account. The genealogy then divides among several families, including the ancestors of Hastinapura and Panchala. These are later descendants, not events personally performed by the earlier ancestor.

ROLE & ESSENCE

Attributes & Significance

Naming Anila prevents Dushyanta from being attached directly to Tansu or Rantinara. His identity is also distinct from divine uses of Anila as a name associated with wind.

Role

Anila is the Paurava king identified as Dushyanta’s father in the Vishnu Purana. His place links Tansu’s family with the story of Shakuntala and Bharata.

TRADITION & MEANING

Traditions & Interpretations

The Mahabharata’s related genealogy names Ilina between Tansu and Dushyanta and describes five sons. The Vishnu Purana’s Anila and four-son household are retained here as one coherent account.