Durdama

THE LIVING ARCHIVE

About Durdama

The line reaches Durdama through Mahishmat and Bhadrasena. After him, Dhanaka’s family divides into the four named sons Kritavirya, Kritagni, Kritavarman and Kritaujas. The first of these becomes the father of Arjuna, the king whose patronymic Kartavirya identifies him as Kritavirya’s son.

AT A GLANCE

Identity & Context

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

Family & Relationships

ParentBhadrasena
Bhadrasena is the parent of Durdama in this account.
ChildDhanaka
Durdama is the parent of Dhanaka in this account.

IN THE TRADITION

Recorded Context

Family and Wider Context

The narrative gives Kartavirya a much fuller role than it gives Durdama. That descendant seeks Dattatreya’s favor and receives extraordinary arms and power. His reign is celebrated for protection and prosperity, yet his life also ends in conflict with Parashurama. The succession explains which royal family lies behind that powerful and complicated figure.

ROLE & ESSENCE

Attributes & Significance

Dhanaka’s four sons form one household below Durdama’s generation. Kritavirya is one of those sons, while Kartavirya Arjuna belongs to the following generation. The celebrated warrior is therefore Durdama’s great-grandson, and the other sons of Dhanaka are the warrior’s paternal uncles.

Role

Durdama is the Haihaya king placed between Bhadrasena and Dhanaka. He is the father of Dhanaka and a near ancestor of Kritavirya and Kartavirya Arjuna in the succession descended from Yadu.

TRADITION & MEANING

Traditions & Interpretations

Durdama is named as Bhadrasena’s son and Dhanaka’s father in the Haihaya succession. Kartavirya’s thousand arms, Dattatreya’s gifts and Ravana’s captivity occur in the story of his later descendant.