Surasena Kingdom
Encyclopedia
Surasena Kingdom was ruled by Yaduvanshi kings as per the epic Mahabharata
. It is said to be named after the King Shoorsen
. The capital city of this kingdom, Mathura was founded by Shatrughna
, the brother of Sri Rama the ruler of Kosala
in Treta Yuga
. He conquered this region after defeating the Asura
king Madhu who dwelled in a forest named Madhu Forest
named after him. In Dwapara Yuga it was ruled by Yaduvanshis who took the kingdom from the descendants of Satrughna. Capital of Surasena kingdom was Mathura (Mathura, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh).
The Yaduvanshi chief Kansa
, became the ruler of this kingdom for some time. He forcefully took the ruleship by imprisoning his own father Ugrasena
. Magadha
king Jarasandha
was Kansa's father in law. Later Vasudeva Krishna, Kansa's sister's son, killed Kansa and gave the kingdom back to the old king Ugrasena
. But Jarasandha attacked the kingdom and all the Yaduvanshi had to flee to Dwaraka. There they founded their new kingdom.
Jarasandha
was a powerful Ancient Indian king who ruled Magadha
.
The eighteen tribes of the Bhojas, from fear of Jarasandha
, have all fled towards the west; so also have the Surasenas, the Bhadrakas, the Vodhas, the Salwas
, the Patachchavas, the Susthalas, the Mukuttas, and the Kulindas, along with the Kuntis
. And the king of the Salwayana tribe with their brethren and followers; and the southern Panchalas
and the eastern Kosalas
have all fled to the country of the Kuntis
. So also the Matsyas
and the Sannyastapadas, overcome with fear, leaving their dominions in the north, have fled into the southern country. And so all the Panchalas, alarmed at the power of Jarasandha
, have left their own kingdom and fled in all directions.
Sahadeva
, vanquishing completely at the outset the Surasenas, brought the king of Matsya
under his sway. And the hero then, defeating Dantavakra, the mighty king of the Adhirajas and making him pay tribute, re-established him on his throne.
Surrounding the kingdom of the Kurus
, are, many countries beautiful and abounding in corn, such as Panchala
, Chedi
, Matsya
, Surasena, Pattachchara, Dasarna
, Navarashtra, Malla
, Salva
, Yugandhara, Saurashtra
, Avanti
, and the spacious Kuntirashtra
.
The Pandavas leaving the Dwaita Forest
, proceeded towards Yamuna
river and reached its southern bank. And those mighty warriors, the Pandavas, passed through Yakrilloma and Surasena, leaving behind, on their right, the country of the Panchalas
, and on their left, that of the Dasarnas
. And those bowmen, looking wan and wearing beards and equipped with swords, entered Matsya
’s dominions leaving the forest, giving themselves out as hunters.
The Matsyas, the Panchalas, the Salwas and the Surasenas, all decline to pay thee homage now and all disregard Dhritarashtra
. All of them have joined the Pandavas.
Bhishma
's words:- There are three maidens worthy of being allied to Kuru race. One is the daughter (Kunti) of Surasena, of the Yaduvanshi race; the other is the daughter (Gandhari) of Suvala; and the third is the princess (Madri) of Madra.
Vasudeva Krishna to Kunti:- The daughter of king Surasena, thou (Kunti) art, by marriage, admitted into Ajamida’s race (The race of Kurus).
Foremost among all the Surasenas, the puissant one, Krishna
, residing at Dwaraka
, will rule and protect the whole earth after vanquishing all her lords, conversant as he will be with the science of polity.
With Valadeva (Bala Rama as his second, Krishna
, consumed in battle, with all his troops, the king of the Surasenas, viz., Sunaman the lord of a full Akshauhini, and the valiant second brother of Kansa
, the king of the Bhojas.
They are the Kuru-Panchalas, the Salwas, the Madreyas, the Jangalas, the Surasena, the Kalingas, the Vodhas, the Malas, the Matsyas, the Sauvalyas, the Kuntalas, the Kasi-kosalas, the Chedis, the Karushas, the Bhojas, the Sindhus....
The Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, and the Vasatis, the Swalyas, the Matsyas, the Amvashtas, the Trigartas, and the Kekayas, the Sauviras, the Kitavas, the dwellers of the Eastern, Western, and the Northern countries, these twelve brave races were resolved to fight reckless of the lives. And these protected the grandsire, Bhishma
, with a multitudinous array of cars.
Let the Samsthanas, the Surasenas, the Venikas, the Kukkuras, the Rechakas, the Trigartas, the Madrakas, the Yavanas, with Satrunjayas, and Dussasana, and that excellent hero Vikarna, and Nanda and Upanandaka, and Chitrasena, along with the Manibhadrakas, protect Bhishma
with their respective troops.
Slaughtering the Kaurava divisions and the Surasenas also, Arjuna
speedily came to the encounter with Bhishma
.
Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, and the Kamvojas with the Sakas, and the Surasenas formed its tail.
And in its neck were Surasena, and Duryodhana
surrounded by many kings.
The Sauviras, the Kitavas, the Easterners, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, and the Vasatis, did not avoid Bhishma
in battle although they were incessantly slaughtered.
Many combatants also, belonging to the Nishadas, the Sauviras, the Valhikas, the Daradas, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Abhighatas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, the Vasatis, the Salwas, the Sakas, the Trigartas, the Amvashthas, and the Kekayas, similarly fell upon Arjuna
, like flights of insects upon a fire.
The Sauviras, the Kitavas, the Easterners, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, the Vasatis, the Salwas, the Sayas, the Trigartas, the Amvashthas, and the Kaikeyas, these and many other illustrious warriors, afflicted with arrows and pained by their wounds, abandoned Bhishma
in that battle while he was fighting with the diadem-decked Arjuna
.
The Madras, the Trigartas the Amvashthas, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Surasenas, the Sudras the Maladas, the Sauviras, the Kaitavas, the Easterners, and the Southerners placing Duryodhana
and Karna
at their head, forming the rear guard, gladdened warriors of their own army.
Bhutasarman, and Kshemasarman, and the valiant Karakaksha, and the Kalinga
s, the Singhalas, the Easterners, the Sudras, the Abhiras, the Daserakas, the Saka
s, the Yavanas, the Kamvojas, the Hangsapadas, the Surasenas, the Daradas, the Madras, and the Kalikeyas, with hundreds and thousands of elephants, steeds, cars, and foot-soldiers were stationed at its neck.
The Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, the Vasatis, the Mavellakas, the Lilithyas, the Kaikeyas, the Madrakas, the Narayana Gopalas, and the various tribes of the Kamvojas who had before been vanquished by Karna, all of whom were regarded as very brave, placing Drona
at their head, and becoming regardless of their lives, rushed towards Arjuna
.
The Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, the Vasatis began to scatter their arrowy showers on Arjuna
.
Then the brave warriors of the Surasenas endeavoured to check Satyaki
, striking him with showers of shafts, like a driver striking an infuriated elephant with the hook.
King Jayadratha
hath been slain, and Somadatta’s son also of great energy, and the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, and the Vasatis.
Yudhisthira
cutting off the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Valhikas, and the Vasatis, he caused the earth to be miry with flesh and blood. And he also despatched within a trice, by means of many shafts the Yaudheyas, the Malavas, and large numbers of the Madrakas.
Bhima
, mangling the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, and other Kshatriyas difficult to defeat in battle, made the earth miry with blood.
The Vasatis, numbering 2,000, effectual smiters of all, as also the Surasenas endued with prowess, have all been slain in battle. The Abhishahas, clad in mail, capable of smiting effectually, and fierce in battle, also the Sivis, those foremost of car-warriors, with the Kalingas, have all been slain. Those other heroes also, the Narayana Gopas, who live and grew in Gokula, have been slain by Savyasaci (Arjuna
). Many thousands of Srenis, as also the samsaptakas, approaching Arjuna
, have all dead.
Kripa and Kritavarma
, and Sakuni accompanied by troops fought with the Kosalas, the Kasis, the Matsyas, the Karusas, the Kaikayas, and the Surasenas.
Aiming then, five irresistible shafts, Karna
, otherwise called Vaikartana or Vrisha, slew five Pancala
warriors. The five Pancalas that he slew in that battle were Bhanudeva and Citrasena and Senavindu and Tapana and Surasena.
(The above passage indicates that a part of Surasena Kingdom, was under the territories of the Panchala Kingdom).
The Pancalas
observe the duties enjoined in the Vedas
; the Kauravas
observe truth; the Matsyas
and the Surasenas perform sacrifices, the Easterners follow the practices of the Sudras; the Southerners are fallen; the Vahlikas
are thieves; the Saurashtras
are bastards.
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
. It is said to be named after the King Shoorsen
King Shoorsen
Shurasena was an ancient Yadava ruler of Mathura after whom the Surasena Kingdom or mahajanpada and the Yadava sept of Surasenas or Shoorsainis were named. According to a tradition, found in the Linga Purana , Shurasena was son of Kartavirya Arjuna...
. The capital city of this kingdom, Mathura was founded by Shatrughna
Shatrughna
Shatrughna was the youngest brother of Lord Rama in the Hindu epic Ramayana . He is the twin brother of Lakshmana.-Birth and family:...
, the brother of Sri Rama the ruler of Kosala
Kosala Kingdom
Kosala Proper or Uttara Kosala is the kingdom of the celebrated personality of Treta Yuga, Raghava Rama. Ayodhya was its capital, presently in Faizabad district, Uttar Pradesh. Rama's sons Lava and Kusha inherited parts of this kingdom. Lava ruled from the city called Sravasti and Kusa from the...
in Treta Yuga
Treta Yuga
Treta Yuga is the second out of four yugas, or ages of mankind, in the religion of Hinduism, and follows the Satya Yuga of perfect morality and precedes the Dvapara Yuga. The most famous events in this yuga were Lord Vishnu's fifth, sixth and seventh incarnations as Vamana, Parashurama and...
. He conquered this region after defeating the Asura
Asura
-In Hinduism:In Hinduism, the Asuras constitute a group of power-seeking deities, sometimes considered sinful and materialistic. The Daityas and Danavas were combinedly known as Asuras. The Asura were opposed to the Devas. Both groups are children of Kasyapa...
king Madhu who dwelled in a forest named Madhu Forest
Madhu Forest
Madhu Forest or Madhuvana was a dense forest in ancient northern India,that existed to the west of Yamuna.-In the Ramayana and the Mahabharata:...
named after him. In Dwapara Yuga it was ruled by Yaduvanshis who took the kingdom from the descendants of Satrughna. Capital of Surasena kingdom was Mathura (Mathura, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh).
The Yaduvanshi chief Kansa
Kamsa
In Hinduism, Kamsa or Kansa , often known as Kans in Hindi, is the brother of Devaki, and ruler of the Vrishni kingdom with its capital at Mathura. His father was King Ugrasena and mother was Queen Padmavati...
, became the ruler of this kingdom for some time. He forcefully took the ruleship by imprisoning his own father Ugrasena
Ugrasena
Ugrasena was the King of Mathura, a kingdom that was established after the various Yadava clans, which include the Vrishnis and Bhojas decided that the dividing states would unite as one and that the Kingship would not be subject to heredity and if decided not to be so, the succeeding leader...
. Magadha
Magadha
Magadha formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas or kingdoms in ancient India. The core of the kingdom was the area of Bihar south of the Ganga; its first capital was Rajagriha then Pataliputra...
king Jarasandha
Jarasandha
Jarasandha was a great and legendary king of Magadha. He was the son of a vedic king named Brihadratha. He was also a great devotee of Lord Shiva. But he is generally held in negative light owing to his enmity with the Yadav clan in the Mahābhārata....
was Kansa's father in law. Later Vasudeva Krishna, Kansa's sister's son, killed Kansa and gave the kingdom back to the old king Ugrasena
Ugrasena
Ugrasena was the King of Mathura, a kingdom that was established after the various Yadava clans, which include the Vrishnis and Bhojas decided that the dividing states would unite as one and that the Kingship would not be subject to heredity and if decided not to be so, the succeeding leader...
. But Jarasandha attacked the kingdom and all the Yaduvanshi had to flee to Dwaraka. There they founded their new kingdom.
The 18 tribes which fled due to attacks from Jarasandha
- Mahabharata, Book 2, Chapter 14
Jarasandha
Jarasandha
Jarasandha was a great and legendary king of Magadha. He was the son of a vedic king named Brihadratha. He was also a great devotee of Lord Shiva. But he is generally held in negative light owing to his enmity with the Yadav clan in the Mahābhārata....
was a powerful Ancient Indian king who ruled Magadha
Magadha Kingdom
Magadha was a kingdom ruled by non-Vedic kings. Jarasandha was the greatest among them during epic times. His capital was Rajagriha or Rajgir a modern hill resort in Bihar. Jarasandha's continuous assault on the Yadava kingdom of Surasena resulted in their withdrawal from central India to western...
.
The eighteen tribes of the Bhojas, from fear of Jarasandha
Jarasandha
Jarasandha was a great and legendary king of Magadha. He was the son of a vedic king named Brihadratha. He was also a great devotee of Lord Shiva. But he is generally held in negative light owing to his enmity with the Yadav clan in the Mahābhārata....
, have all fled towards the west; so also have the Surasenas, the Bhadrakas, the Vodhas, the Salwas
Salwa Kingdom
Salwa is a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic Mahabharata. It is close to Madra Kingdom as both are mentioned together in many places. Saubha is its capital. Martikavati also is mentioned as the capital of Salwa kingdom. The famous prince Satyavan was from Salwa...
, the Patachchavas, the Susthalas, the Mukuttas, and the Kulindas, along with the Kuntis
Kunti Kingdom
As per the epic Mahabharata, the Kunti Kingdom was the kingdom of Kuntibhoja, one of the prominent kings among the Bhoja Yadavas.Kunti, the mother of Pandavas and the first wife of Kuru king Pandu, was the adopted daughter of the king Kuntibhoja. Her given name was Pritha and she was a sister of...
. And the king of the Salwayana tribe with their brethren and followers; and the southern Panchalas
Panchala Kingdom
This article is about the kingdom of Panchala during the epic-ages. For the historical kingdom, see Panchala.Panchala Kingdom extended from Himalayas in the north to river Charmanwati in the south during the period of Mahabharata. It had Kuru, Surasena and Matsya kingdoms to the west and the forest...
and the eastern Kosalas
Kosala Kingdom
Kosala Proper or Uttara Kosala is the kingdom of the celebrated personality of Treta Yuga, Raghava Rama. Ayodhya was its capital, presently in Faizabad district, Uttar Pradesh. Rama's sons Lava and Kusha inherited parts of this kingdom. Lava ruled from the city called Sravasti and Kusa from the...
have all fled to the country of the Kuntis
Kunti Kingdom
As per the epic Mahabharata, the Kunti Kingdom was the kingdom of Kuntibhoja, one of the prominent kings among the Bhoja Yadavas.Kunti, the mother of Pandavas and the first wife of Kuru king Pandu, was the adopted daughter of the king Kuntibhoja. Her given name was Pritha and she was a sister of...
. So also the Matsyas
Matsya Kingdom
Matsya or Machcha , classically called the Mese , was the name of a tribe and the state of the Vedic civilization of India. It lay to south of the kingdom of Kurus and west of the Yamuna which separated it from the kingdom of Panchalas...
and the Sannyastapadas, overcome with fear, leaving their dominions in the north, have fled into the southern country. And so all the Panchalas, alarmed at the power of Jarasandha
Jarasandha
Jarasandha was a great and legendary king of Magadha. He was the son of a vedic king named Brihadratha. He was also a great devotee of Lord Shiva. But he is generally held in negative light owing to his enmity with the Yadav clan in the Mahābhārata....
, have left their own kingdom and fled in all directions.
Sahadeva's Military Campaign
- Mahabharata, Book 2, Chapter 30
Sahadeva
Sahadeva
Sahadeva was one of the five Pandava brothers according to the epic Mahābhārata. He was one of the twin sons of Madri, who invoked Ashvins using a mantra shared by Kunti for a son. His twin brother was named Nakula...
, vanquishing completely at the outset the Surasenas, brought the king of Matsya
Matsya Kingdom
Matsya or Machcha , classically called the Mese , was the name of a tribe and the state of the Vedic civilization of India. It lay to south of the kingdom of Kurus and west of the Yamuna which separated it from the kingdom of Panchalas...
under his sway. And the hero then, defeating Dantavakra, the mighty king of the Adhirajas and making him pay tribute, re-established him on his throne.
Arjuna's list of kingdoms close to Kuru Kingdom
- Mahabharata, Book 4, Chapter 1
Surrounding the kingdom of the Kurus
Kuru Kingdom
Kuru was the name of an ancient kingdom in Vedic India, and later a republican Mahajanapada state. The kingdom was located in the area of modern Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh in India. They formed the first political center of the of the Vedic India, with its capital at Hastinapur. It...
, are, many countries beautiful and abounding in corn, such as Panchala
Panchala Kingdom
This article is about the kingdom of Panchala during the epic-ages. For the historical kingdom, see Panchala.Panchala Kingdom extended from Himalayas in the north to river Charmanwati in the south during the period of Mahabharata. It had Kuru, Surasena and Matsya kingdoms to the west and the forest...
, Chedi
Chedi Kingdom
Chedi kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled during early periods by Paurava kings and later by Yaduvanshi Rajput kings in the central and western India. It falls roughly in the Bundelkhand division of Madhya Pradesh regions to the south of river Yamuna and along river Betwa or Vetravati...
, Matsya
Matsya Kingdom
Matsya or Machcha , classically called the Mese , was the name of a tribe and the state of the Vedic civilization of India. It lay to south of the kingdom of Kurus and west of the Yamuna which separated it from the kingdom of Panchalas...
, Surasena, Pattachchara, Dasarna
Dasarna Kingdom
Dasarna kingdom was one of the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in medieval central and western India. It lay to the south of the Chedi and Panchala kingdoms, in northern Madhya Pradesh. The Panchala prince Sikhandi married a princess from Dasarna. Sikhandin was alleged to be 'one of the...
, Navarashtra, Malla
Malla Kingdom
Malla Kingdom was situated in the Gangatic plain between the Kosala and Videha. The epic Mahabharata speaks about a Malla conquered by the Pandava Bhima during his military campaign through the eastern kingdoms to collect tribute for King Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice.- Bhima's Military Campaign...
, Salva
Salwa Kingdom
Salwa is a kingdom grouped among the western kingdoms in the epic Mahabharata. It is close to Madra Kingdom as both are mentioned together in many places. Saubha is its capital. Martikavati also is mentioned as the capital of Salwa kingdom. The famous prince Satyavan was from Salwa...
, Yugandhara, Saurashtra
Saurashtra Kingdom
Saurashtra kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in the central and western India. Other kingdoms in this group include Chedi Kingdom, Dasarna Kingdom, Surasena Kingdom or Vraja Kingdom, Karusha Kingdom, Kunti Kingdom, Avanti Kingdom, Malava Kingdom, Gurjara Kingdom, Anarta...
, Avanti
Avanti Kingdom
The former Avanti kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by the Yadava kings in the central and western India. Ujjayani was its capital along the river Kshipra, a tributary of river Charmanuati, which itself is a tributary of river Ganges. The Ujjayani of the past is currently known as...
, and the spacious Kuntirashtra
Kunti Kingdom
As per the epic Mahabharata, the Kunti Kingdom was the kingdom of Kuntibhoja, one of the prominent kings among the Bhoja Yadavas.Kunti, the mother of Pandavas and the first wife of Kuru king Pandu, was the adopted daughter of the king Kuntibhoja. Her given name was Pritha and she was a sister of...
.
Pandavas' journey to the Matsya Kingdom
- Mahabharata, Book 4, Chapter 5
The Pandavas leaving the Dwaita Forest
Dwaita Forest
Dvaita Forest or Dvaitavana was situated to the south of the Kamyaka Forest. It contained within it a lake called the Dwaita lake, abounding with flowers, and delightful to look at, and inhabited by many species of birds, elephants and many trees . It was on the south-western outskirts of...
, proceeded towards Yamuna
Yamuna
The Yamuna is the largest tributary river of the Ganges in northern India...
river and reached its southern bank. And those mighty warriors, the Pandavas, passed through Yakrilloma and Surasena, leaving behind, on their right, the country of the Panchalas
Panchala Kingdom
This article is about the kingdom of Panchala during the epic-ages. For the historical kingdom, see Panchala.Panchala Kingdom extended from Himalayas in the north to river Charmanwati in the south during the period of Mahabharata. It had Kuru, Surasena and Matsya kingdoms to the west and the forest...
, and on their left, that of the Dasarnas
Dasarna Kingdom
Dasarna kingdom was one of the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in medieval central and western India. It lay to the south of the Chedi and Panchala kingdoms, in northern Madhya Pradesh. The Panchala prince Sikhandi married a princess from Dasarna. Sikhandin was alleged to be 'one of the...
. And those bowmen, looking wan and wearing beards and equipped with swords, entered Matsya
Matsya Kingdom
Matsya or Machcha , classically called the Mese , was the name of a tribe and the state of the Vedic civilization of India. It lay to south of the kingdom of Kurus and west of the Yamuna which separated it from the kingdom of Panchalas...
’s dominions leaving the forest, giving themselves out as hunters.
Shift of alliances
- Mahabharata, Book 5, Chapter 54
The Matsyas, the Panchalas, the Salwas and the Surasenas, all decline to pay thee homage now and all disregard Dhritarashtra
Dhritarashtra
In the Mahābhārata, Dhritarashtra was King of Hastinapur at the time of the Kurukshetra War, the epic's climactic event. He was born the son of Vichitravirya's first wife Ambika, and was fathered by Vyasa. He was blind from birth, and became father to a hundred children by his wife Gandhari...
. All of them have joined the Pandavas.
Kunti (Pandavas' Mother), mentioned as native of Surasena
- Mahabharata, Book 1, Chapter 110
Bhishma
Bhishma
Bhishma or Bheeshma or Devavrata or 'Bhishma Pitamah' was the eighth son of Kuru King Shantanu who was blessed with wish-long life and had sworn to serve the ruling Kuru king. He was one of the most prominent characters of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He was the grand uncle of both the...
's words:- There are three maidens worthy of being allied to Kuru race. One is the daughter (Kunti) of Surasena, of the Yaduvanshi race; the other is the daughter (Gandhari) of Suvala; and the third is the princess (Madri) of Madra.
- Mahabharata, Book 5, Chapter 90
Vasudeva Krishna to Kunti:- The daughter of king Surasena, thou (Kunti) art, by marriage, admitted into Ajamida’s race (The race of Kurus).
Vasudeva Krishna mentioned as a native of Surasena Kingdom
- Mahabharata, Book 13, Chapter 147
Foremost among all the Surasenas, the puissant one, Krishna
Vasudeva Krishna
Within the Indian epic Mahabharata, Krishna was the son of the Yadava chief Vasudeva and his wife Devaki. Hence he was known as Vasudeva Krishna or Vasudeva.- Krishna as a political reformer :...
, residing at Dwaraka
Dwaraka Kingdom
In the Mahabharata, Dvārakā is the capital of the Yadus who ruled the Anarta Kingdom....
, will rule and protect the whole earth after vanquishing all her lords, conversant as he will be with the science of polity.
Sunaman, a king of Surasena, killed by Krishna
- Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 11
With Valadeva (Bala Rama as his second, Krishna
Vasudeva Krishna
Within the Indian epic Mahabharata, Krishna was the son of the Yadava chief Vasudeva and his wife Devaki. Hence he was known as Vasudeva Krishna or Vasudeva.- Krishna as a political reformer :...
, consumed in battle, with all his troops, the king of the Surasenas, viz., Sunaman the lord of a full Akshauhini, and the valiant second brother of Kansa
Kamsa
In Hinduism, Kamsa or Kansa , often known as Kans in Hindi, is the brother of Devaki, and ruler of the Vrishni kingdom with its capital at Mathura. His father was King Ugrasena and mother was Queen Padmavati...
, the king of the Bhojas.
Provinces in Bharata Varsha (Ancient India)
- Mahabharata, Book 6, Chapter 9
They are the Kuru-Panchalas, the Salwas, the Madreyas, the Jangalas, the Surasena, the Kalingas, the Vodhas, the Malas, the Matsyas, the Sauvalyas, the Kuntalas, the Kasi-kosalas, the Chedis, the Karushas, the Bhojas, the Sindhus....
The 12 tribes who protected Bhishma on Day 1
- Mahabharata, Book 6, Chapter 18
The Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, and the Vasatis, the Swalyas, the Matsyas, the Amvashtas, the Trigartas, and the Kekayas, the Sauviras, the Kitavas, the dwellers of the Eastern, Western, and the Northern countries, these twelve brave races were resolved to fight reckless of the lives. And these protected the grandsire, Bhishma
Bhishma
Bhishma or Bheeshma or Devavrata or 'Bhishma Pitamah' was the eighth son of Kuru King Shantanu who was blessed with wish-long life and had sworn to serve the ruling Kuru king. He was one of the most prominent characters of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He was the grand uncle of both the...
, with a multitudinous array of cars.
The Protection to Bhishma on Day 2
- Mahabharata, Book 6, Chapter 51
Let the Samsthanas, the Surasenas, the Venikas, the Kukkuras, the Rechakas, the Trigartas, the Madrakas, the Yavanas, with Satrunjayas, and Dussasana, and that excellent hero Vikarna, and Nanda and Upanandaka, and Chitrasena, along with the Manibhadrakas, protect Bhishma
Bhishma
Bhishma or Bheeshma or Devavrata or 'Bhishma Pitamah' was the eighth son of Kuru King Shantanu who was blessed with wish-long life and had sworn to serve the ruling Kuru king. He was one of the most prominent characters of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He was the grand uncle of both the...
with their respective troops.
Encounter of Arjuna and Bhishma on Day 2
- Mahabharata, Book 6, Chapter 52
Slaughtering the Kaurava divisions and the Surasenas also, Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
speedily came to the encounter with Bhishma
Bhishma
Bhishma or Bheeshma or Devavrata or 'Bhishma Pitamah' was the eighth son of Kuru King Shantanu who was blessed with wish-long life and had sworn to serve the ruling Kuru king. He was one of the most prominent characters of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He was the grand uncle of both the...
.
Kauravas make the Garuda Military-Formation on Day 3
- Mahabharata, Book 6, Chapter 56
Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, and the Kamvojas with the Sakas, and the Surasenas formed its tail.
Kauravas make the Crane Military-Formation on Day 6
- Mahabharata, Book 6, Chapter 75
And in its neck were Surasena, and Duryodhana
Duryodhana
In the Hindu epic the Mahābhārata, Duryodhana is the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers, Emperor of the world at that time which means Emperor of India or Bharatvarsha as it was known at that time, cousin and the chief...
surrounded by many kings.
The Loyal defenders of Bhishma
- Mahabharata, Book 6, Chapter 107
The Sauviras, the Kitavas, the Easterners, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, and the Vasatis, did not avoid Bhishma
Bhishma
Bhishma or Bheeshma or Devavrata or 'Bhishma Pitamah' was the eighth son of Kuru King Shantanu who was blessed with wish-long life and had sworn to serve the ruling Kuru king. He was one of the most prominent characters of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He was the grand uncle of both the...
in battle although they were incessantly slaughtered.
Resisting Arjuna for aiding Bhishma
- Mahabharata, Book 6, Chapter 118
Many combatants also, belonging to the Nishadas, the Sauviras, the Valhikas, the Daradas, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Abhighatas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, the Vasatis, the Salwas, the Sakas, the Trigartas, the Amvashthas, and the Kekayas, similarly fell upon Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
, like flights of insects upon a fire.
Surasenas finally abandons Bhishma
- Mahabharata, Book 6, Chapter 120
The Sauviras, the Kitavas, the Easterners, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, the Vasatis, the Salwas, the Sayas, the Trigartas, the Amvashthas, and the Kaikeyas, these and many other illustrious warriors, afflicted with arrows and pained by their wounds, abandoned Bhishma
Bhishma
Bhishma or Bheeshma or Devavrata or 'Bhishma Pitamah' was the eighth son of Kuru King Shantanu who was blessed with wish-long life and had sworn to serve the ruling Kuru king. He was one of the most prominent characters of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. He was the grand uncle of both the...
in that battle while he was fighting with the diadem-decked Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
.
After Bhishma's fall, fighting under Drona
- Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 7
The Madras, the Trigartas the Amvashthas, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Surasenas, the Sudras the Maladas, the Sauviras, the Kaitavas, the Easterners, and the Southerners placing Duryodhana
Duryodhana
In the Hindu epic the Mahābhārata, Duryodhana is the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers, Emperor of the world at that time which means Emperor of India or Bharatvarsha as it was known at that time, cousin and the chief...
and Karna
Karna
Karna or Radheya is one of the central characters in the epic Mahābhārata, from ancient India. He was the King of Anga...
at their head, forming the rear guard, gladdened warriors of their own army.
Drona's Garuda Military-Formation
- Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 20
Bhutasarman, and Kshemasarman, and the valiant Karakaksha, and the Kalinga
Kalinga
Kalinga is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Tabuk and borders Mountain Province to the south, Abra to the west, Isabela to the east, Cagayan to the northeast, and Apayao to the north...
s, the Singhalas, the Easterners, the Sudras, the Abhiras, the Daserakas, the Saka
Saka
The Saka were a Scythian tribe or group of tribes....
s, the Yavanas, the Kamvojas, the Hangsapadas, the Surasenas, the Daradas, the Madras, and the Kalikeyas, with hundreds and thousands of elephants, steeds, cars, and foot-soldiers were stationed at its neck.
Drona encounters Arjuna
- Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 88
The Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, the Vasatis, the Mavellakas, the Lilithyas, the Kaikeyas, the Madrakas, the Narayana Gopalas, and the various tribes of the Kamvojas who had before been vanquished by Karna, all of whom were regarded as very brave, placing Drona
Drona
In the epic Mahābhārata, Drona or Dronacharya was the royal guru to Kauravas and Pandavas. He was a master of advanced military arts, including the Devastras. Arjuna was his favorite student. Dronas love for Arjuna was second only to his love for his son Ashwatthama...
at their head, and becoming regardless of their lives, rushed towards Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
.
Resisting Arjuna for aiding Drona
- Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 90
The Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, the Vasatis began to scatter their arrowy showers on Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
.
Resisting Satyaki for aiding Drona
- Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 90
Then the brave warriors of the Surasenas endeavoured to check Satyaki
Satyaki
Yuyudhana , better known as Satyaki , was a powerful warrior belonging to the Vrishni clan of the Yadavas, to which Krishna also belonged. According to the Puranas, he was grandson of Shini of the Vrishni clan, and son of Satyaka. Satyaki was devoted to Krishna and his best friend Arjuna, with...
, striking him with showers of shafts, like a driver striking an infuriated elephant with the hook.
Destruction of some Surasenas along with Jayadratha
- Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 147
King Jayadratha
Jayadratha
In the epic Mahābhārata, Jayadratha was the king of Sindhu Kingdom . He was married to Dushala, the only sister of the 100 Kaurava brothers. He was the son of the sinful king Vridhakshtra.- Abduction of Draupadi:...
hath been slain, and Somadatta’s son also of great energy, and the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, and the Vasatis.
Resisting Yudhisthira for aiding Drona
- Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 154
Yudhisthira
Yudhisthira
In the great Hindu epic Mahabharata, Yudhisthira , the eldest son of King Pandu and Queen Kunti, was king of Indraprastha and later of Hastinapura. He was the leader of the Pandava side in the Kurukshetra War...
cutting off the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Valhikas, and the Vasatis, he caused the earth to be miry with flesh and blood. And he also despatched within a trice, by means of many shafts the Yaudheyas, the Malavas, and large numbers of the Madrakas.
Resisting Bhima for aiding Drona
- Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 158
Bhima
Bhima
In the Mahābhārata, Bhima is one of the central characters of Mahabharata and the second of the Pandava brothers...
, mangling the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, and other Kshatriyas difficult to defeat in battle, made the earth miry with blood.
Destruction of Surasenas aiding Karna
- Mahabharata, Book 8, Chapter 5
The Vasatis, numbering 2,000, effectual smiters of all, as also the Surasenas endued with prowess, have all been slain in battle. The Abhishahas, clad in mail, capable of smiting effectually, and fierce in battle, also the Sivis, those foremost of car-warriors, with the Kalingas, have all been slain. Those other heroes also, the Narayana Gopas, who live and grew in Gokula, have been slain by Savyasaci (Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
). Many thousands of Srenis, as also the samsaptakas, approaching Arjuna
Arjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
, have all dead.
Surasenas on the side of the Pandavas
- Mahabharata, Book 8, Chapter 47
Kripa and Kritavarma
Kritavarma
Kritavarma was an important Yadava warrior and chieftain, and a contemporary of Krishna. He finds mention in several ancient Sanskrit texts including the Mahābhārata, the Vishnu Purana, the Bhagavata Purana and the Harivamsa....
, and Sakuni accompanied by troops fought with the Kosalas, the Kasis, the Matsyas, the Karusas, the Kaikayas, and the Surasenas.
- Mahabharata, Book 8, Chapter 48
Aiming then, five irresistible shafts, Karna
Karna
Karna or Radheya is one of the central characters in the epic Mahābhārata, from ancient India. He was the King of Anga...
, otherwise called Vaikartana or Vrisha, slew five Pancala
Panchala Kingdom
This article is about the kingdom of Panchala during the epic-ages. For the historical kingdom, see Panchala.Panchala Kingdom extended from Himalayas in the north to river Charmanwati in the south during the period of Mahabharata. It had Kuru, Surasena and Matsya kingdoms to the west and the forest...
warriors. The five Pancalas that he slew in that battle were Bhanudeva and Citrasena and Senavindu and Tapana and Surasena.
(The above passage indicates that a part of Surasena Kingdom, was under the territories of the Panchala Kingdom).
Karna rating the qualities of various tribes
- Mahabharata, Book 8, Chapter 45
The Pancalas
Panchala Kingdom
This article is about the kingdom of Panchala during the epic-ages. For the historical kingdom, see Panchala.Panchala Kingdom extended from Himalayas in the north to river Charmanwati in the south during the period of Mahabharata. It had Kuru, Surasena and Matsya kingdoms to the west and the forest...
observe the duties enjoined in the Vedas
Vedas
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
; the Kauravas
Kuru Kingdom
Kuru was the name of an ancient kingdom in Vedic India, and later a republican Mahajanapada state. The kingdom was located in the area of modern Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh in India. They formed the first political center of the of the Vedic India, with its capital at Hastinapur. It...
observe truth; the Matsyas
Matsya Kingdom
Matsya or Machcha , classically called the Mese , was the name of a tribe and the state of the Vedic civilization of India. It lay to south of the kingdom of Kurus and west of the Yamuna which separated it from the kingdom of Panchalas...
and the Surasenas perform sacrifices, the Easterners follow the practices of the Sudras; the Southerners are fallen; the Vahlikas
Bahlika Kingdom
All the western Indian kingdoms were known by the general name Bahlika meaning outsider. Thus these people were considered as outsiders of the Vedic culture. However, the name Bahlika is sometimes used to denote a kingdom within the present Punjab, different from Madra, Sindhu, Kekeya, Gandhara or...
are thieves; the Saurashtras
Saurashtra Kingdom
Saurashtra kingdom was one among the many kingdoms ruled by Yadava kings in the central and western India. Other kingdoms in this group include Chedi Kingdom, Dasarna Kingdom, Surasena Kingdom or Vraja Kingdom, Karusha Kingdom, Kunti Kingdom, Avanti Kingdom, Malava Kingdom, Gurjara Kingdom, Anarta...
are bastards.