Shurasena

Ancient Indian Kingdoms in 600 BC

A portrait of Maharaja Šúraséna or Shoorsena, the grandfather of both Krishna and Pandavas.

Shūrasena (शूरसेन) is a place name mentioned by Panini under Sankashadi (संकाशादि) (4.2.80.10) group. Surasena (सूरसेन) was the kingdom around the modern Brajabhumi. Surasena (शूरसेन) was an ancient people of Mahabharata and the tribe was held in high esteem in the Mahabharata (VIII.30.73), their capital was in Mathura. They sided with the Kauravas in the Mahabharata war (VI.18.12), (VI.47.7).

Origin of name

The etymology of the name indicates that it was a republic army of Shura Jat Gotra. Some say it was named after a famed Yadav king Sursain, while others see it as an extension of Surabhir (Abhira).

Variants of name

• Shurasena शूरसेन (AS, p.906)
• Shurasena Janapada शूरसेन जनपद (AS, p.906)
• Shūrasena (शूरसेन)
• Surasena सूरसेन = Shurasena शूरसेन (AS, p.984)
• Soorasen (सूरसेन)
• Shourasena (सौरसेन)

Jat clans

• Shura (शूरा): The Mahabharata Tribe Surasena (शूरसेन) may be identified with Jat Gotra - Shura (शूरा)

Ancestry of Shurasena

Ancestry of Shurasena

Mention by Panini

Shurasena (शूरसेन) is a place name mentioned by Panini in Ashtadhyayi under Sankashadi (संकाशादि) (4.2.80.10) group.

---

Shurasena (शूरसेन) is name of a Country/People mentioned by Panini in Ashtadhyayi under Paladyadi (पलद्यादि) (4.5.110) group.

History

According to Megasthenes, people of this place worshipped the shepherd God Herakles, which according to many scholars was due to a misconception while others see in it connotations of Scythic origin of Yadus. It was the sacred land of Lord Krishna in which he was born, raised, and ruled. It was an ancient Janapada. It has been well mentioned in Mahabharata.

It's capital was Mathura which was situated at the bank of the river Yamuna. Now it is a holy place for all Hindus. The main Gosthis which ruled the Surasena were Shorasenee, Brishnis, Yadavas or Yadukul, etc.

Mathura was the capital of the closely linked clans of Vrishni, Andhaka, and Bhoja. They are generally known as Yadavas after their eponymous ancestor Yadu, and sometimes as Surasenas after another famed ancestor. The kingdom of Andhakas was at place called Ānjaī to the north of Mathura Janapada.

In Mahabharata

Shurasena (शूरसेन) is mentioned in Mahabharata (II.28.2),(IV.1.9),(IV.5.4),(V.53.17),(VI.10.38), (VI.18.12), (VI.47.7),(VI.112.109),(VIII.4.36), (VIII.30.73),

---

Sabha Parva, Mahabharata/Book II Chapter 28 mentions Sahadeva's march towards south: kings and tribes defeated. Shurasena is mentioned in verse (II.28.2).... Strong in strength, that mighty prince of the Kuru race, vanquishing completely at the outset the Shurasenas, brought the king of Matsya under his sway.

---

Virata Parva, Mahabharata/ Book IV Chapter 1 mentions how Pandavas pass their days undiscovered in Viratanagara; Shurasena is mentioned as its neighbouring country in verse (IV.1.9). ......... "Surrounding the kingdoms: Panchala, Chedi, Matsya, Surasena, Pattachchara, Dasarna, Navarashtra, Malla, Shalva, Yugandhara, Saurashtra, Avanti, Kuntirashtra."

---

Virata Parva, Mahabharata/ Book IV Chapter 5 mentions that while moving to Viratanagara in Matsya, Pandavas passed through Shurasena Janapada in verse (IV.5.4)...."And those mighty warriors endued with great strength and hitherto leading the lives of hunters by killing the deer of the forest, passed through Yakrilloma and Surasena, leaving behind, on their right, the country of the Panchalas, and on their left, that of the Dasharnas."

---

Udyoga Parva/Mahabharata Book V Chapter 53 describes the Country of the Kurus, including the region called Jangala (V.53.7); Kingdoms of Matsyas, Panchalas, Shalvas, Surasenas in verse (V.53.17), who all decline to pay thee homage now and all disregard thee.

---

Bhisma Parva, Mahabharata/Book VI Chapter 10 describes geography and provinces of Bharatavarsha. Surasena (शूरसेन) is mentioned as a province in verse (VI.10.38)...."the Shurasena, the Kalingas, the Bodhas, the Mokas, the Matsyas, Sukatyas, the Saubalyas, the Kuntalas, the Kashi-Koshalas,..."

---

Bhisma Parva, Mahabharata/Book VI Chapter 18 mentions that The large armies of the Kurus and the Pandavas ready for war. They sided with the Kauravas in the war. Shurasena are mentioned in verse (VI.18.12)...."And twenty thousand car-warriors followed them. The Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, and the Vasatis,..."

---

Bhisma Parva, Mahabharata/Book VI Chapter 47 describes immeasurable heroes assembled for battle....Shurasenas are mentioned in verse (VI.47.7)...."Let the Samsthanas, the Surasenas, the Venikas, the Kukkuras, the Rechakas, the Trigartas, the Madrakas, the Yavanas,....."

---

Bhisma Parva, Mahabharata/Book VI Chapter 112 mentions Tribes which include Shurasenas in verse (VI.112.109). ...."Bahlika, Daradas, Prachyas, Udichyas, Malavas, Abhishahas, Shurasenas, Shibis, Vasatis..."

---

Karna Parva/Mahabharata Book VIII Chapter 4 describes the Warriors who are dead amongst the Kurus and the Pandavas after ten days...Shurasenas are mentioned in verse (VIII.4.36)....."The Vasatis, O king, numbering 2,000, effectual smiters of all, as also the Surasenas endued with prowess, have all been slain in battle"

---

Karna Parva/Mahabharata Book VIII Chapter 30 gives description blaming the Vahikas and Madrakas. Shurasenas are mentioned in verse (VIII.30.73) and the tribe is held in high esteem in the Mahabharata......"The Panchalas observe the duties enjoined in the Vedas; the Kauravas observe truth; the Matsyas and the Surasenas perform sacrifices, the Easterners follow the practices of the Shudras; the Southerners are fallen; the Vahikas are thieves; the Saurashtras are bastards."

शूरसेन

शूरसेन महाजनपद (AS, p.906): उत्तरी-भारत का प्रसिद्ध जनपद था जिसकी राजधानी मथुरा में थी। इस प्रदेश का नाम संभवत: मधुरापुरी (मथुरा) के शासक, लवणासुर के वधोपरान्त, शत्रुघ्न ने अपने पुत्र शूरसेन के नाम पर रखा था।

वाल्मीकि रामायण: शूरसेन ने पुरानी मथुरा के स्थान पर नई नगरी बसाई थी जिसका वर्णन वाल्मीकि रामायण के उत्तरकांड में है। (दे.मथुरा) शूरसेन-जनपदीयों का नाम भी वाल्मीकि रामायण में आया है- 'तत्र म्लेच्छान्पुलिंदांश्च सूरसेनांस्तथैव च, प्रस्थलान् भरतांश्चैय कुरूंश्च यह मद्रकै:'। (किष्किंधा 43,11) वाल्मीकि रामायण उत्तर काण्ड वा. रा. 70,6 में मथुरा को शूरसेना कहा गया है:-'भविष्यति पुरी रम्या शूरसेना न संशय:'. महाभारत में शूरसेन-जनपद पर सहदेव की विजय का उल्लेख है- 'स शूरसेनान् कार्त्स्न्येन पूर्वमेवाजयत् प्रभु:, मत्स्यराजंच कौरव्यो वशेचक्रे बलाद् बली'। (सभा पर्व महाभारत 31,2) कालिदास ने रघुवंश 6,45 में शूरसेनाधिपति सुषेण का वर्णन किया है- 'सा शूरसेनाधिपतिं सुषेणमुद्दिश्य लोकान्तरगीतकीर्तिम्, आचारशुद्धोभयवंशदीपं शुद्धान्तरक्ष्या जगदे कुमारी'। इसकी राजधानी मथुरा का उल्लेख कालिदास ने इसके आगे रघुवंश 6,48 में किया है। श्रीमद् भागवत में यदुराज शूरसेन का उल्लेख है जिसका राज्य शूरसेन-प्रदेश में कहा गया है। मथुरा उसकी राजधानी थी- 'शूरसेना यदुपतिर्मथुरामावसन् पुरीम्, माथुरान्छूरसेनांश्च विषयान् बुभुजे पुरा, राजधानी तत: साभूत सर्वयादभूभुजाम्, मथुरा भगवान् यत्र नित्यं संनिहितों हरि:'। ( रघुवंश 10,1,27-28) विष्णु पुराण में शूरसेन के निवासियों को ही संभवत: शूर कहा गया है और इनका आभीरों के साथ उल्लेख है- 'तथापरान्ता: सौराष्ट्रा: शूराभीरास्तथार्बुदा:'। विष्णु पुराण 2,3,16.

शूरसेन जनपद

शूरसेन जनपद, मथुरा मंडल अथवा ब्रजमंडल का यह नाम कैसे और किस के कारण पड़ा? यह निश्चित नहीं है। बौद्ध ग्रंथ अंगुत्तरनिकाय के अनुसार कुल सोलह 16 महाजनपद थे - अवन्ति, अश्मक या अस्सक, अंग, कम्बोज, काशी, कुरु, कौशल, गांधार, चेदि, वज्जि या वृजि, वत्स या वंश , पांचाल, मगध, मत्स्य या मच्छ, मल्ल, सुरसेन या शूरसेन । डॉ. वासुदेवशरण अग्रवाल का मत है कि लगभग एक सहस्त्र ईस्वी पूर्व से पाँच सौ ईस्वी तक के युग को भारतीय इतिहास में जनपद या महाजनपद-युग कहा जाता है । कुछ इतिहासकारों के मतानुसार यह एक क़बीला था जिसने ईसा पूर्व 600-700 के आस-पास ब्रज पर अपना अधिकार कर लिया था और स्थानीय संस्कारों से मेल बढ़ने के लिए कृष्ण पूजा शुरू कर दी।

External link

[1] Pali dictionary entry

References

---

Back to The Ancient Jats