Shura

THE LIVING ARCHIVE

About Shura

His father is Devamidhusha, one of Hridika’s sons. The household of Shura and Marisha stands behind several important epic families, since their sons and daughters marry into other royal houses. This Shura belongs to a later generation than Viduratha’s son of the same name. The intervening ancestors separate the two men; the marriage to Marisha and the parentage of Vasudeva belong to this later king.

AT A GLANCE

Identity & Context

Identity: King
Form: Yadava Royal House
Tradition: Puranic Royal Genealogy
Also Known As: Sura · Shurasena · Śūra

Family & Relationships

ParentDevamidhusha
Devamidhusha is the parent of Shura in this account.
ChildVasudeva
Shura is the parent of Vasudeva in this account.
ChildKunti
Shura is the parent of Kunti in this account.
ConsortMarisha
Shura and Marisha are consorts in this account.

IN THE TRADITION

Recorded Context

The Children of Shura and Marisha

Their ten sons are Vasudeva, Devabhaga, Devashravas, Anadrishti, Karundhaka, Vatsabalaka, Shrinjaya, Shyama, Shamika and Gandusha. Their daughters are Pritha, Shrutadeva, Shrutakirti, Shrutashravas and Rajadhidevi. Celestial drums celebrate Vasudeva’s birth, anticipating the divine appearance in his line. Shura gives Pritha to his childless friend Kuntibhoja, establishing her foster relationship alongside her birth family.

ROLE & ESSENCE

Attributes & Significance

The daughters’ marriages connect Shura’s household with the families of Dantavaktra, Shishupala, the Kekaya brothers and the Avanti princes. His children explain kinship across epic households whose later stories and loyalties differ.

Role

Shura is the Yadava king who marries Marisha and fathers Vasudeva, Pritha and their siblings. He is Krishna’s grandfather through Vasudeva and a maternal ancestor of the Pandavas through Pritha, later known as Kunti.

TRADITION & MEANING

Traditions & Interpretations

Shura is also associated with the name Shurasena. Here he is Devamidhusha’s son and Marisha’s husband. Earlier Yadava ancestors and princes of other families who bear either name retain their own identities.