Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.2798

c9.2798

ŚŪRASENA III. “Śūrasena was the old name for the region now known as Mathurāmaṇḍala or Vrajamaṇḍala. The natives of this place were called “Śūrasenas”. The following pieces of information are given about the Śūrasenas in the Mahābhārata :—
(i) The Śūrasenas who were afraid of Jarāsandha, fled to the southern lands. (M.B. Sabhā Parva, Chapter 14, Verse 26).
(ii) In the course of his southern campaign, Sahadeva conquered the Śūrasenas. (M.B. Sabhā Parva, Chapter 31, Verse 1).
(iii) It was between the two countries, South Yakṛllomam and Śūrasenam that the Pāṇḍavas travelled from the land of Pāñcāla to Matsyadeśa. (M.B. Virāṭa Parva Chapter 5, Verse 4).
(iv) Śūrasenas were the body-guards of Bhīṣma during the Bhārata Yuddha. (M.B. Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 18, Verse 12).
(v) Śūrasena forces once stopped Arjuna on the way. (M.B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 91, Verse 37).
(vi) Śūrasena attacked Arjuna and Sātyaki in Bhārata battle. (M.B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 141, Verse 9).
(vii) Yudhiṣṭhira soaked the earth with blood by killing the Śūrasenas at Kurukṣetra. (M.B. Droṇa Parva Chapter 157, Verse 29). (viii) Bhīmasena butchered the Kṣatriyas of Śūrasena by hundreds. (M. B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 169, Verse 4).
(ix) Kṛpācārya, Kṛtavarmā and Śakuni from the Pāṇḍava side fought against the Śūrasenas. (M.B. Karṇa Parva, Chapter 47, Verse 16).