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Kushanabha

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Kushanabha
TextsRamayana, Puranas
Genealogy
Parents
  • Kusha (father)
SpouseGhritachi
ChildrenGadhi (son), Hundred unnamed daughters
DynastyAmavasu - Chandravamsha

Kushanabha (Sanskrit: कुशनाभ, romanizedKuśanābha) is a king featured in Hindu texts. He is described to be the king of the Amavasu dynasty and belongs to the Chandravamsha line. He is stated to be the son of Kusha.[1] Kushanabha is believed to be the founder of the city Mahodaya (Regarded to be present-day Kannauj).[2]

Legend

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Marriage

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Gritachi was an accomplished dancer. Kushanabha was infatuated with her after seeing her dance. He married her and had 100 daughters with her.[3][4] He married the 100 sisters to Brahmadatta, the founder of Kampilya and son of Chuli Rishi and the apsara Somada, in turn the daughter of the apsara Urmila.

Birth of Gadhi

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Kushanabha had 100 daughters but no male successor to his throne. So, he started worshipping the deity Indra and performed austerities wishing to have a son like Indra. At last, Indra consented and became his son, by incarnation, being born as Gadhi.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Bibek Debroy (November 2017). The Valmiki Ramayana: Set of 3 Volumes. Penguin Random House India. p. 154. ISBN 9789387326941. Retrieved 1 November 2017. Kusha's son was the powerful Kushanabha, who was extremely devoted
  2. ^ Bibek Debroy (25 October 2017). The Valmiki Ramayana, Volume 1. Penguin Random House India. p. 94. ISBN 9789387326262. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  3. ^ Vishwanath S. Naravane (1987). A Companion to Indian Mythology: Hindu, Buddhist & Jaina. Thinker's Library, Technical Publishing House. p. 106.
  4. ^ Vishwanath S. Naravane (1997). Sages, Nymphs, and Deities: Excursions in Indian Mythology. The Author. p. 99.
  5. ^ Jan Knappert (1991). Indian Mythology: An Encyclopedia of Myth and Legend. Aquarian Press. p. 147. ISBN 9781855380400. Kushamba Son of Kusha who worshipped Indra. He performed austerities wishing to have a son like Indra. At last Indra consented and became his son, by incarnation, being born as Gadhi.