Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.4023

c9.4023

VASUMĀN I. (VASUMANAS). A King of the dynasty of Ikṣvāku.
1) Genealogy. Descended from Viṣṇu in the following order. Brahmā-Marīci-Kaśyapa-Vivasvān-Vaivasvata Manu-Ikṣvāku-Vikukṣi-Śaśāda-Kakutstha (Purañjaya)-Anenas-Pṛthulāśva-Viṣvagaśva-Prasenajit-Yuvanāśva-Māndhātṛ-Purukutsa-Trasadasyu-Anaraṇya-Haryaśva-Vasumanas.
2) Birth. Haryaśva, the King of Ayodhyā married Mādhavī, the daughter of Yayāti. Vasumanas was their son. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 86, Stanza 56).
3) Marriage proposal. A damsel named Hariṇī was proposed to be given in marriage to Vasumanas. But another man carried her away. To know the story see under Durmada II.
4) Other information.
(i) Once Yayāti who fell from heaven on the earth met with Vasumanas. Because of the merit of mingling with good people Yayāti attained heaven again. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 86, Stanza 56).
(ii) Vasumanas entered heaven along with Kings like Aṣṭaka and others. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 93, Stanza 16).
(iii) Vasumanas sits in the palace of Yama and praises him. (M.B. Sabhā Parva, Chapter 8, Stanza 13).
(iv) He went on pilgrimages and earned fame and wealth. (M.B. Vana Parva Chapter 94, Stanza 17).
(v) He was present at the horse-sacrifice of Aṣṭaka the son of Viśvāmitra. (M.B. Vana Parva, Chapter 198, Stanza 1).
(vi) He once got into the aerial chariot of Indra and came and stood over the city of Virāṭa and witnessed the battle between Arjuna and the teacher Kṛpa. (M.B. Virāṭa Parva, Chapter 56, Stanza 9).
(vii) It was near Vasumanas and others who had been performing the sacrifice of Vājapeya and worshipping Mahāviṣṇu, that Yayāti fell from heaven. (M.B. Udyoga Parva, Chapter 121, Stanza 10). (viii) Vasumanas became famous under the name Dānapati (lord of donations) because he had given Yayāti, the fruits of his good deeds. (M.B. Udyoga Parva, Chapter 122, Stanza 9).
(ix) While he was the King of Kosala he conducted a consultation with Bṛhaspati as to how he could bring about the prosperity of the country. (M.B. Śānti Parva, Chapter 68, Stanza 6).