Bahvashva

THE LIVING ARCHIVE

About Bahvashva

Mudgala is his father and Haryashva his grandfather in this account. Haryashva’s five sons are associated with the Panchala name. Bahvashva belongs to Mudgala’s branch, which contains both royal descendants and the learned Maudgalya family.

AT A GLANCE

Identity & Context

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

Family & Relationships

ParentMudgala
Mudgala is the parent of Bahvashva.
ChildDivodasa
Bahvashva is the parent of Divodasa.
ChildAhalya
Ahalya and the Panchala Divodasa are twins in this account. This is a source-specific genealogy.

IN THE TRADITION

Recorded Context

Divodasa and Ahalya

Divodasa is the male twin and Ahalya the female twin. Divodasa becomes the father of Mitrayu, whose later royal descendants include Chyavana, Sudasa, Saudasa and Somaka. Somaka’s youngest son Prishata is the father of Drupada.

Ahalya’s descent is described through her union with Gautama, also referred to as Sharadvat in this passage. Their son is Shatananda. The passage treats this family separately from Divodasa’s succession, preserving Ahalya’s place as a sister with a household of her own.

ROLE & ESSENCE

Attributes & Significance

His son and daughter connect two different lines of descent. Divodasa’s royal family eventually reaches Drupada, while Ahalya’s family is associated with Gautama and Shatananda. Their children are relatives through the twins, not members of a single father-son royal succession.

Role

Bahvashva is the father of the twins Divodasa and Ahalya in the Vishnu Purana’s Panchala genealogy. His household connects an older royal line with Ahalya’s family.

TRADITION & MEANING

Traditions & Interpretations

This family follows the Vishnu Purana’s arrangement. The Bhagavata places Divodasa and Ahalya directly under Mudgala, while other tellings give Ahalya different origins. Bahvashva’s place as their father is therefore qualified to this account.