Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c14.s1.1

c14.s1.1

Two origins are alleged for the Kānyakubja dynasty. It was descended from Purūravas' son Amāvasu according to seven Puranas,¹ which give the first kings as Amāvasu, Bhīma, Kāñcanaprabha, Suhotra and Jahnu. The genealogy is also given by the Rāmāyaṇa, Agni and twice by the Mahābhārata.² The first Mahābhārata account and that in the Rāmāyaṇa leave the origin untouched, but the second account and the Agni derive Jahnu from the Paurava line, making him son of Ajamīḍha; and the Brahma and Harivaṃśa³ inconsistently give both versions. From Jahnu to Kuśa all the lists agree,⁴ there is variation as regards Kuśa's sons, and from Gādhi to Viśvāmitra and the end all agree generally.