Lunar dynasty


According to Hindu beliefs, the Lunar dynasty is one of the principal houses of the Kshatriya varna, or warrior–ruling caste. This legendary dynasty was said to be descended from moon-related deities.
According to the Shatapatha Brahmana, Pururavas was the son of Budha and the gender-switching deity Ila. Pururavas's great-grandson was Yayati, who had five sons named Yadu, Turvasu, Druhyu, Anu, and Puru. These seem to be the names of five Indo-Aryan tribes as described in the Vedas.
According to the Mahabharata, the dynasty's progenitor Ila ruled from Prayag, and had a son Shashabindu who ruled in the country of Bahli. Ila's descendants were also known as the Ailas or Chandravansha.

In Mahabarata

In Hindu texts, the Kurukshetra war that form the subject of the Indian Epic Mahabarata, was largely fought between rival branches of the Lunar Dynasty, famously resulting in the hesitation of Arjuna away from war and the reprimand of his mentor Krishna. Krishna reminds Arjuna that Dharma stands above everything and the text forms an integral cultural cornerstone for all four Kshatriya houses.
By the conclusion of the Kurukshetra war most of the Yadhuvanshi lineage is in peril. The sinking of Dwarka sees the destruction of the entire Yaduvanshi lineage with the exception of Vajranabh who was saved by Arjuna and later becomes the King of Mathura. As the only surviving grandson of Krishna all branches claiming descent from Krishna descend through him.

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