Bhadrasena

THE LIVING ARCHIVE

About Bhadrasena

He belongs to Yadu’s family through Sahasrajit, Shatajit and Haihaya. Within that branch, the succession reaches him through Dharmanetra, Kunti and Sahanji before Mahishmat. The name is attached here to that precise family position, not to every ruler called Bhadrasena or a similar name.

AT A GLANCE

Identity & Context

Identity: King
Form: Haihaya Dynasty
Tradition: Puranic Royal Genealogy

Family & Relationships

ParentMahishmat
Mahishmat is the parent of Bhadrasena in this account.
ChildDurdama
Bhadrasena is the parent of Durdama in this account.

IN THE TRADITION

Recorded Context

Family and Wider Context

The genealogy after Bhadrasena is relatively close to its major narrative figure. Durdama is followed by Dhanaka, whose four named sons include Kritavirya. Kartavirya Arjuna, Kritavirya’s son, obtains extraordinary gifts from Dattatreya and becomes a ruler whose power extends across the seven dvipas of the sacred cosmographic account.

ROLE & ESSENCE

Attributes & Significance

Bhadrasena is part of the family background that the narrative establishes before recounting Kartavirya’s prowess. The later king’s capture of Ravana and death at Parashurama’s hands are therefore connected episodes in the history of Bhadrasena’s descendants, rather than deeds attributed to Bhadrasena himself.

Role

Bhadrasena is the son of Mahishmat and the father of Durdama in the Haihaya royal line. His descendants include Dhanaka, Kritavirya and the thousand-armed Kartavirya Arjuna.

TRADITION & MEANING

Traditions & Interpretations

The selected genealogy gives this king’s name and descent without developing an independent adventure. The family position is retained instead of borrowing a more elaborate story from a namesake or a parallel spelling.