Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c18.30

c18.30

This story is supplemented by a further fragment of kṣatriya tradition.¹ The piece of genealogy prefixed to the latter is confused, but shows this much, that the tradition relates to the Haihayas after the time of Tālajaṅgha and in particular to the descendants of king Vītahavya among them.² Haryaśva king of the Kāśis fought with the Vītahavya-Haihayas at the confluence of the Ganges and Jumna. They killed him and returned to the city of the Vatsyas.³ His son was Sudeva and they defeated him. His son was Divodāsa, and he retreated and built a city, called Vārāṇasī also, at the confluence of the Ganges and Gomatī. They attacked, defeated and drove him from his city. He took refuge with his purohita Bharadvāja. His son Pratardana attacked and destroyed the Vaitahavyas, and the Vītahavya king found refuge with a Bhṛgu rishi, who saved him by declaring and making him a brahman.⁴ This is confirmed from brahmanic books, which say Bharadvāja was Divodāsa’s purohita and gave Pratardana the kingdom.⁵