Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c17.s1.1

c17.s1.1

**Vasudeva** at whose instance the "over-libidinous Śuṅga" was "reft of his life" founded about 75 B.C. a new line of kings known as the Kāṇva or Kāṇvāyana dynasty. The *Purāṇas* give the following account of this family. "He (Vasudeva), the Kāṇvāyana, will be king 9 years. His son Bhūmimitra will reign 14 years. His son Nārāyaṇa will reign 12 years. His son Suśarman will reign 10 years. These are remembered as the *Śuṅga-bhṛitya* Kāṇvāyana kings. These four Kāṇva Brāhmaṇas will enjoy the earth.¹ They will be righteous. In succession to them the "earth" will pass to the Andhras." **Bhūmimitra** may have been identical with the king of that name known from coins.²