Dhanaka

THE LIVING ARCHIVE

About Dhanaka

His father is Durdama, whose ancestry leads through Bhadrasena and Mahishmat to the earlier Haihaya kings. Dhanaka’s four sons mark a family branch within that succession. The genealogy follows Kritavirya’s son in particular, while preserving the names of the other brothers.

AT A GLANCE

Identity & Context

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

Family & Relationships

ParentDurdama
Durdama is the parent of Dhanaka in this account.
ChildKritavirya
Dhanaka is the parent of Kritavirya in this account.

IN THE TRADITION

Recorded Context

Family and Wider Context

Kartavirya’s name combines his personal name Arjuna with his descent from Kritavirya. Dhanaka is the father of Kritavirya and the grandfather of that warrior. The account describes Kartavirya’s worship of Dattatreya, extraordinary royal power, capture of Ravana and eventual death in the conflict with Parashurama.

ROLE & ESSENCE

Attributes & Significance

Dhanaka’s household establishes the relationships around Kartavirya: Kritavirya is the father, while Kritagni, Kritavarman and Kritaujas are paternal uncles. The Kritavarman in this household occupies an earlier Haihaya generation, different from Hridika’s son in the later Yadava family.

Role

Dhanaka is a Haihaya king and the father of Kritavirya, Kritagni, Kritavarman and Kritaujas. Through Kritavirya he is the grandfather of Kartavirya Arjuna, the dynasty’s celebrated thousand-armed ruler.

TRADITION & MEANING

Traditions & Interpretations

The Kritavarman named among Dhanaka’s sons belongs to this early Haihaya family. It is not sufficient evidence to identify him with the Yadava warrior Kritavarma from the Kurukshetra generation.