Madhu

THE LIVING ARCHIVE

About Madhu

Madhu belongs to a human royal family descended from Vidarbha’s son Kratha. His grandfather is Devarata, the son of Karambhi, and the earlier ancestors include the Yadava Dasharatha and Shakuni. The larger Yadava family contains more than one person named Madhu, including a Madhu in the Haihaya succession. This king’s immediate family identifies the particular line that continues toward Satvata.

AT A GLANCE

Identity & Context

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

Family & Relationships

ParentDevakshatra
Devakshatra is the parent of Madhu in this account.
ChildAnavaratha
Madhu is the parent of Anavaratha in this account.

IN THE TRADITION

Recorded Context

Family and Wider Context

After this Madhu, the succession continues through Anavaratha, Kuruvatsa, Anuratha, Puruhotra and Anshu before reaching Satvata. Satvata’s sons then form further royal branches. Another Madhu also occurs within the Haihaya family, so the broad description Yadava is not by itself enough to merge every Madhu into a single individual.

ROLE & ESSENCE

Attributes & Significance

Several generations connect Madhu with Satvata, the ancestor after whom the Satvata princes are named. The later Andhaka and Vrishni houses belong to that continuing family history. This royal role is separate from the primordial conflict of the Asuras Madhu and Kaitabha with Vishnu.

Role

Madhu is a Yadava king, son of Devakshatra and father of Anavaratha. He belongs to the succession leading from Vidarbha’s family toward Satvata, and is distinct from the primordial Asura paired with Kaitabha.

TRADITION & MEANING

Traditions & Interpretations

Devakshatra as father and Anavaratha as son distinguish this royal Madhu from the primordial Asura and from rulers named Madhu in other families and narratives.