Sudhanush

THE LIVING ARCHIVE

About Sudhanush

Kuru is his father, and Samvarana and Tapati are his grandparents. His son is Suhotra, followed by Chyavana and Kritaka. Jahnu is another of Kuru’s sons, but Jahnu’s descendants lead toward Pratipa and Shantanu rather than following this same sequence.

AT A GLANCE

Identity & Context

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

Family & Relationships

ParentKuru
Kuru is the parent of Sudhanush.
ChildSuhotra
Sudhanush is the parent of Suhotra.

IN THE TRADITION

Recorded Context

A Branch Apart from Jahnu’s Line

The descent from Sudhanush continues through Uparichara Vasu, whose children include Brihadratha. Brihadratha’s family becomes associated with Magadha. This establishes a real older connection between the Kuru ancestry and that regional royal house without making Jarasandha a member of Shantanu’s immediate family.

The branch later reaches Brihadratha and his son Jarasandha. Jarasandha is born in two parts that the being Jara joins together; his name recalls that joining. After him the list continues through Sahadeva, Somapi and Shrutashravas, identifying these rulers with Magadha. The episode belongs to Jarasandha’s birth, not to the life of every ancestor in the branch.

ROLE & ESSENCE

Attributes & Significance

Sudhanush’s family is one of the branches descending from Kuru. The route through his son Suhotra reaches Uparichara Vasu and Magadha, while the branch through his brother Jahnu leads toward Pratipa and Shantanu. Their common ancestry remains older than both regional histories.

Role

Sudhanush is Kuru’s son in the royal branch that leads toward Uparichara Vasu and the rulers of Magadha. He belongs to the older Paurava family.

TRADITION & MEANING

Traditions & Interpretations

The Bhagavata uses the name Sudhanu and retains the following Suhotra and Chyavana connections. Its shorter spelling does not change the branch’s place beside Jahnu’s family.