वृष्णि

यन्त्रोपारोपितकोशांशः

कल्पद्रुमः

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

वृष्णिः, पुं, (वृष + “सृवृषिभ्यां कित् ।” उणा० ४ ४९ । इति निः । स च कित् ।) मेषः । इत्यमरः ॥ यादवः । इति शब्दरत्नावली ॥ (यथा, महा- भारते । ५ । ७२ । ४ । “यथा हि सर्व्वस्वापत्सु पासि वृष्णीनरिन्दम । तथा ते पाण्डवा रक्ष्याः पाह्यस्मान्महतो भयात् ॥”) कृष्णः । इति त्रिकाण्डशेषः ॥

वृष्णिः, त्रि, पाषण्डः । चण्डः । इति शब्दरत्ना- वली ॥

अमरकोशः

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

वृष्णि पुं।

मेषः

समानार्थक:मेढ्र,उरभ्र,उरण,ऊर्णायु,मेष,वृष्णि,एडक,अवि

2।9।76।2।6

अजा छागी शुभच्छागबस्तच्छगलका अजे। मेढ्रोरभ्रोरणोर्णायु मेष वृष्णय एडके॥

पदार्थ-विभागः : , द्रव्यम्, पृथ्वी, चलसजीवः, मनुष्येतरः, जन्तुः, स्तनपायी

वाचस्पत्यम्

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

वृष्णि¦ पु॰ वृष--नि किच्च।

१ यादवर्वश्ये नृपभेदे शब्दच॰।

२ श्रीकृष्णे

३ मेथे अमरः।

४ चण्डे

५ पाषण्डे च त्रि॰शब्दर॰।

शब्दसागरः

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

वृष्णि¦ mfn. (-ष्णिः-ष्णिः-ष्णि)
1. Heretical, heterodox.
2. Angry, passionate. m. (-णिः)
1. A ram.
2. One of the descendants of YADU.
3. VISHN4U or KRISHN4A.
4. A heretic, a sectary.
5. A ray of light.
6. INDRA.
7. AGNI.
8. Air or wind. E. वृष् to sprinkle, Una4di aff. नि, and the vowel unchanged.

Apte

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

वृष्णि [vṛṣṇi], [वृषेः निः किच्च Uṇ.4.5-51] a.

Heretical; heterodox.

Angry, passionate.

Ved. Raining. -m.

A cloud.

A ram.

A ray of light.

N. of an ancestor of Kriṣṇa.

N. of Kriṣṇa.

Of Indra.

Of Agni.

Air, wind.

A heretic. -Comp. -गर्भः N. of Kṛiṣṇa. -पालः a shepherd; केनापि कृपालुना वृष्णिपालेन स्वकुटीरमावेश्य Dk.1.1.

Monier-Williams

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

वृष्णि mfn. manly , strong , powerful , mighty RV.

वृष्णि mfn. angry , passionate L.

वृष्णि mfn. heretical , heterodox L.

वृष्णि m. a ram VS. TS. S3Br.

वृष्णि m. a bull L.

वृष्णि m. a ray of light L.

वृष्णि m. air , wind L.

वृष्णि m. N. of शिवMBh.

वृष्णि m. of विष्णु-कृष्णL.

वृष्णि m. of इन्द्रL.

वृष्णि m. of अग्निL.

वृष्णि m. of various kings Hariv. Pur.

वृष्णि m. pl. N. of a tribe or family (from which कृष्णis descended , = यादवor माधव; often mentioned together with the अन्धकs) MBh. Hariv. etc.

वृष्णि n. N. of a सामन्A1rshBr.

वृष्णि mfn. manly , strong , powerful , mighty RV.

वृष्णि mfn. angry , passionate L.

वृष्णि mfn. heretical , heterodox L.

वृष्णि m. a ram VS. TS. S3Br.

वृष्णि m. a bull L.

वृष्णि m. a ray of light L.

वृष्णि m. air , wind L.

वृष्णि m. N. of शिवMBh.

वृष्णि m. of विष्णु-कृष्णL.

वृष्णि m. of इन्द्रL.

वृष्णि m. of अग्निL.

वृष्णि m. of various kings Hariv. Pur.

वृष्णि m. pl. N. of a tribe or family (from which कृष्णis descended , = यादवor माधव; often mentioned together with the अन्धकs) MBh. Hariv. etc.

वृष्णि n. N. of a सामन्A1rshBr.

Purana index

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

(I)--the eldest of Madhu's hundred sons. After him the line became famous, a gotra name. भा. IX. २३. २९; Vi. IV. ११. २७-8.

(II)--a son of सात्वत and father of Sumitra and युजाजित्; फलकम्:F1:  भा. IX. २४. 6 and १२.फलकम्:/F darling of the Yadus; had two wives, गान्धारी and माद्री; the former bore Sumitra and the latter, five children; फलकम्:F2:  M. ४४. ४८; ४५. 1-2.फलकम्:/F suspected कृष्ण of having appropriated the syamantaka gem from which he honourably redeemed himself; फलकम्:F3:  Br. III. ७१. 1, ३६, १०२.फलकम्:/F belonged to the कृओष्ठु line; फलकम्:F4:  Ib. III. ७०. १५; ७३. ९१.फलकम्:/F originator of the वृष्णि kula. फलकम्:F5:  वा. ९५. १४.फलकम्:/F

(III)--a son of Anamitra (a member of that family, वि। प्।) and father of श्वफल्क and चीत्ररथ. भा. IX. २४. १५. Vi. IV. १४. 5.

(IV)--a son of भजमान. M. ४४. ५०; Vi. IV. १३. 1-2. [page३-313+ ३१]

(V)--a son of Kukura and father of Kapotaroman and धृति. Br. III. ७१. ११७; M. ४४. ६२.

(VI)--the best of the Yadus and a son of कौसल्या. वा. ९६. 2.

(VII)--a son of बाह्यक--two queens गान्धारी and माद्री. वा. ९६. 4, १७.

(VIII)--a son of Satvata; had two sons सुमीत्र and युधाजित्. Vi. IV. १३. 1, 8.

Purana Encyclopedia

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

Vṛṣṇi : m. (pl.): Name of a people, occasionally referred to as Vārṣṇeyas; often mentioned along with Andhakas and sometimes also with Bhojas.


A. Location: They lived in the city Dvārakā; the city is referred to as vṛṣṇipura 3. 21. 4; 3. 180. 25; vṛṣṇyandhakapura 3. 16. 19 (see below Epic events No. 17).


B. Origin: The origin of the Vṛṣṇi race is sought in the extensive race of Prajāpati known as the progeny of Śaśabindu (prajām ācakṣate viprāḥ paurāṇīṁ śāśabindavīm/ sa vṛṣṇivaṁśaprabhavo mahāvaṁśaḥ prajāpateḥ//) 12. 201. 13 (Comm. Arjunamiśra on 12. 201. 11: śaśabinduḥ vṛṣṇīnāṁ pūrvajaḥ/ so 'pi prajāpatiḥ); see Editor's note, Cr. edn. Vol. 16, p. 2166).


C. Greatness: While narrating the descent of the first generations (ādivaṁśāvatāra), Vaiśaṁpāyana told Janamejaya that the allpervading Puruṣa took birth (as Kṛṣṇa) among the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas for furthering the cause of dharma (puruṣaḥ sa vibhuḥ…/dharmasaṁvardhanārthāya prajajñe 'ndhakavṛṣṇiṣu) 1. 57. 87; Nārāyaṇa was born as Kṛṣṇa in the family of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas 2. 33. 17; 2. 34. 15.


D. Description and characteristics: Of good nature (sumanas) 5. 84. 4; very fortunate (sumahābhāga) 12. 82. 8; having all enjoyments (bhogavant) 5. 28. 12; prosperous (sphīta) 5. 84. 3; prosperous because they were always active (nityotthānena saṁpannāḥ) 12. 82. 8; magnanimous (mahātman) 1. 213. 53; 3. 119. 2; 16. 9. 26; of great lustre (sumahaujas) 1. 211. 5; spirited (manasvin) 5. 28. 12; brave (śūra) and proud like lion (siṁhadarpa) 16. 9. 9; heroic (vīra, vīryavant) 2. 13. 59; excellent heroes (uttamavīrya) 1. 213. 55: strong, very strong (balin) 2. 17. 27; (mahābala) 2. 13. 59; 5. 28 12; 16. 9. 9; (balavant) 12. 82. 8; powerful (sāmarthyavant) 2. 13. 53; great archers (maheṣvāsa) 2. 72. 29; 3. 48. 6; tigers among men (puruṣavyāghra) 1. 212. 14; immensly powerful like tigers (vyāghrair iva balotkaṭaiḥ) 5. 154. 17; proficient in all śāstras (sarvaśāstraviśārada) 3. 119. 2; difficult to be attacked (durdharṣa) 2. 4. 26; (durāsada) 12. 82. 8; of ture valour (satyaparākrama) 5. 28. 12; bringing together people (?) (lokasaṁhanana) 2. 13. 59; having long arms, like iron bars (bāhuśālin, parighabāhu) 16. 9. 10-11; their arms were capable of resisting maces, iron bars and śaktis (gadāparighaśaktīnāṁ sahāḥ) 16. 9. 10; they were like Indra (indrakalpa) 5. 28. 12; like gods (devarūpin) 2. 4. 26; attached to Kṛṣṇa (tvayy āsaktāḥ) 12. 82. 29; Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas followed the advice of Kṛṣṇa (yasya prajñām upāsate) 5. 84. 4; following Kṛṣṇa's advice, Vārṣṇeyas and Bhojas restrained their enemies and gave delight to friends (vārṣṇeyabhojāḥ …upāsīnā vāsudevasya buddhiṁ nigṛhya śatrūn suhṛdo nandayanti) 5. 28. 11; no one in the past was or in the future would be equal to Vṛṣṇis in strength; they did not disregard kinsmen, were obedient to elders, gods, Asuras, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas; men were unable to defeat Vṛṣṇi warriors in battles: they did not rob Brāhmaṇas, teachers, kinsmen of their wealth; on the other hand, if any one of them was in difficulty they protected him; they were wealthy, but were not arrogant; truthful, they were devoted to Brāhmaṇas; they did not underrate the strong ones, they uplifted the weak ones; they worshipped gods, were controlled and generous, but not given to boasting; due to these virtues Vṛṣṇi warriors were not attacked; one might carry mountain Meru, cross the ocean, but not succeed if he dared attack Vṛṣṇi warriors (na tulyaṁ…bhūtaṁ bhavyaṁ bhaviṣyac ca balena; samarthān nāvamanyante dīnān abhyuddharanti ca; tena vṛṣṇipravīrāṇāṁ cakraṁ na pratihanyate; Nī. on Bom. Ed. 7. 144. 28: cakraṁ pratāpaḥ 7. 119. 22-27 (this description of Vṛṣṇis immediately follows that of the Sātvatas (7. 119. 20-21) which is indicative of the identity between the two); Bhūriśravas deriding Sātyaki ridiculed Vṛṣṇis as vrātyas, not distinguishing between good and evil acts, and despicable by very nature (vrātyāḥ saṁśliṣtakarmāṇaḥ prakṛtyaiva vigarhitāḥ) 7. 118. 15.


E. Epic events:

(1) The Vṛṣṇis went to the forest to meet Pāṇḍavas (vṛṣṇīnām āgamo yatra)--a reference to a later epic event (see No. 15 below) in the summary of the contents of the Āraṇyakaparvan (given in the sub-parvan parvasaṁgraha) 1. 2. 106;

(2) Yudhiṣṭhira heard from Nārada the massive mutual destruction of the Vṛṣṇis--a reference to a later event (see below No. 65) in the summary of the contents of the Āśramavāsikaparvan 1. 2. 217 (actually this event does not form part of the Āśramavāsikaparvan but of the Mausalaparvan and Yudhiṣṭhira did not get the news from Nārada but from Dāruka (cf. 16. 1. 7; 16. 6. 11); Arjuna seeing Dvārakā without Vṛṣṇis was dejected 1. 2. 223; he performed the funeral rites of Rāma, Kṛṣṇa and other Vṛṣṇi-chiefs (vṛṣṇīnāṁ ca pradhānataḥ); he felt sad on account of the abduction of Vṛṣṇi women (nāśaṁ vṛṣṇikalatrāṇām) 1. 2. 227--all three events are references given in the summary of the Mausalaparvan to later epic events (see below Epic events Nos. 70-75);

(3) Vṛṣṇis learnt the science of archery (dhanurveda) from Kṛpa 1. 120. 21; Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas approached Droṇa to learn the astras (astrārthe…vṛṣṇayaś cāndhakāś caiva) 1. 122. 46;

(4) Vṛṣṇi chiefs attended the svayaṁvara of Draupadī 1. 177. 18; as advised by Kṛṣṇa they watched the proceedings of the svayaṁvara 1. 178. 8;

(5) Bhoja, Vṛṣṇi, and Andhaka women gathered to see Arjuna when he arrived at Dvārakā; Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas honoured and greeted Arjuna; he paid his respects to the deserving among them; Vṛṣṇis, along with Bhojas and Andhakas celebrated a grand festival in honour of the Raivataka mountain; in that festival, Vṛṣṇis and others gave gifts to thousands of Brāhmaṇas; thousands of illustrious youths of Vṛṣṇis put on ornaments and moved about riding vehicles decorated with gold; their wives and followers accompanied them 1. 211. 1-2, 5-6;

(6) On hearing the sound of the drum sounded by the guardian of the Sabhā, agitated Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, leaving aside food and drink, assembled by hundreds in the Sabhā and took their seats on the siṁhāsanas; the Sabhāpāla told them that Arjuna had abducted Subhadrā; on hearing it they leaped up from their seats and asked their charioteers to yoke the chariots and bring their weapons, bows and armours; others brought forth their gold-decked horses; when all these arrangements were being done there arose a confused sound of the Vṛṣṇi heroes 1. 212. 12-19; Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas got ready to follow Balarāma when he announced his intention to fight with Arjuna (anvapadyanta te sarve bhojavṛṣṇyandhakās tadā) 1. 212. 31-32; Vṛṣṇis made their intention to attack Arjuna known several times; but when Kṛṣṇa told them that Arjuna had done the right thing, they were pacified 1. 213. 2-11; Kṛṣṇa with Vṛṣṇis and others went to the Khāṇḍavaprastha to attend the marriage of Subhadrā with Arjuna; they took with them large number of nuptial gifts (haraṇaṁ bahu); they were received by Nakula and Sahadeva; the illustrious Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇicakraṁ samṛddhimat) entered Khāṇḍavaprastha; Yudhiṣṭhira received the seniors among Vṛṣṇis with honours according to the rules and following the actual practice (?) (pratijagrāha satkārair yathāvidhi yathopagam); he honoured some Vṛṣṇi-chiefs as elders, some as friends; he greeted some with affection and was himself greeted by some (guruvat pūjayām āsa kāṁścit kāṁścid vayasyavat/kāṁścid abhyavadat premṇā kaiś cid apy abhivāditaḥ//) 1. 213. 23-24, 29, 31, 34, 38-39; after receiving their gifts, Yudhiṣṭhira honoured the great warriors of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathān); the best among the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (vṛṣṇyandhakottamāḥ) lived happily with Kurus and enjoyed with them great drinking bouts (mahāpānair…vijahruḥ kuruvṛṣṇayaḥ); then, after many days, the Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka warriors (uttamavīryās te), led by Balarāma, returned to Dvārakā taking with them bright jewels given to them by Kurus 1. 213. 52-56;

(7) Vṛṣṇi princes (vṛṣṇīnāṁ…kumārā…) were among those who waited on Dharmarāja in his Sabhā 2. 4. 26;

(8) They were taught the science of archery by Arjuna (kumārā…vṛṣṇinandanāḥ) 2. 4. 29;

(9) Vṛṣṇis fled from Mathurā and settled down at Kuśasthalī in the west; they fortified the new settlement in such a way as to make it difficult to be captured even by gods; even women could fight and hold it against the attack (striyo 'pi yasyāṁ yudhyeyuḥ kiṁ punar vṛṣṇipuṁgavāḥ 2. 13. 51); Vṛṣṇis lived there without fear from any quarter (akutobhayāḥ); although powerful, they had allied themselves with Pāṇḍavas because of their relationship (sāmarthyavantaḥ sambandhād bhavantaṁ samupāśritāḥ); Cārudeṣṇa and all other Vṛṣṇi heroes though free from grief, lived at Kuśasthalī still remembering the Madhyadeśa (where they formerly lived) (smaranto madhyamaṁ deśaṁ vṛṣṇimadhye gatavyathāḥ) 2. 13. 53, 59;

(10) Jarāsandha was neglected by Vṛṣṇis, though strong, out of considerations of policy (balibhiḥ …vṛṣṇibhiś ca…nītihetor upekṣitaḥ) 2. 17. 27;

(11) Vṛṣṇis arrived at Khāṇḍavaprastha for the Rājasūya of Yudhiṣṭhira 2. 31. 16;

(12) Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas did not pay tribute to Yudhiṣṭhira for Rājasūya because of their friendly relations with Pāṇḍavas (sakhyenāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ) 2. 48. 42; however, Vārṣṇeyas are said to have brought for Yudhiṣṭhira many kinds of tribute (vārṣṇeyān hārahūṇāṁś ca …balyarthaṁ dadatas tasmai nānārūpān anekaśaḥ) but were stopped at the gate 2. 47. 19-20, 25; the tribute is described in 2. 47. 21-25 (since Vārṣṇeyas are here listed along with Cīnas, Hūṇas, Śakas, Oḍras, forest-dwellers, and Hārahūṇas, are these Vārṣṇeyas different from Vṛṣṇis who formed a section of the Yādavas and did not pay tribute ?):

(13) Śiśupāla instigated the kings assembled for the Rājasūya to fight with Vṛṣṇis and Pāṇḍavas 2. 36. 14;

(14) Vidura warned Kauravas that Vṛṣṇis would never forgive the hardship suffered by Draupadī in the Sabhā (tasyāḥ…parikleśaṁ na kṣaṁsyante…/vṛṣṇayo vā maheṣvāsāḥ) 2. 72. 29;

(15) Hearing that Pāṇḍavas had gone into exile, Vṛṣṇis, Bhojas, and Andhakas went to meet them in the Dvaitavana (3. 12. 68); they sat around Yudhiṣṭhira, blamed Kauravas and wondered what they could do (to help them) 3. 13. 1, 3-4;

(16) Draupadī complained to Kṛṣṇa that Kauravas had desired to reduce her to the status of a dāsī although Vṛṣṇis were alive (dāsībhāvena bhoktuṁ mām īṣus te madhusūdana/jīvatsu…atha vṛṣṇiṣu) 3. 13. 56; 5. 80. 25;

(17) When Śālva attacked Dvārakā in the absence of Kṛṣṇa, young Vṛṣṇi heroes fought with him (bālakair vṛṣṇipuṁgavaiḥ); Śālva killed many of the excellent Vṛṣṇi heroes (vṛṣṇipravīrāṁs tān bālān hatvā) 3. 15. 6-7; during Śālva's attack on Dvārakā drinking liquor was prohibited; Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas had to remain alert apprehending Śālva might attack them when they were drunk (pramatteṣv abhighātaṁ hi kuryāt …iti kṛtvāpramattās te sarve vṛṣṇyandhakāḥ sthitāḥ//) 3. 16. 12-13; it was then ruled that no one in the town of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas could leave or enter the town without valid permit (na cāmudro 'bhiniryāti na cāmudraḥ praveśyate/vṛṣṇyandhakapure) 3. 16. 19; when the youthful Vṛṣṇi princes saw Śālva's army attacking Dvārakā, they came out and fought with the opponents (kumārā vṛṣṇinandanāḥ) 3. 17. 8; when Pradyumna swooned, the army of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas raised a cry of grief; when Pradyumna regained consciousness he blamed his charioteer for removing his chariot away from the battlefield for that was not the battle-dharma of Vṛṣṇ warriors (naiṣa vṛṣṇipravīrāṇām āhave dharma ucyate) 3. 19. 1-2, 5; he told the charioteer that one who left the battlefield was not born in the family of Vṛṣṇis (na sa vṛṣṇikule jāto yo vai tyajati saṁgaram), nor he who killed one fallen on the ground or who had surrendered, or a woman, an old man or a child, or one who was without a chariot, who was shattered, and whose weapons were broken; he reminded the charioteer that he (the charioteer) knew what the dharma of Vṛṣṇis was in battles, and since he knew the entire code of conduct of Vṛṣṇis engaged in fighting he should not have taken Pradyumna away form battlefield; (dharmajñaś cāsi vṛṣṇīnām āhaveṣv api…/sa jānaṁś caritaṁ kṛtsnaṁ vṛṣṇīṇāṁ pṛtanāmukhe/) 3. 19. 13-16; Pradyumna wondered what the women of Vṛṣṇi heroes would say to him when he met them 3. 19. 21; Pradyumna asked his charioteer how he could face Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis who always vied with him (mayā spardhanti satataṁ) 3. 19. 28; the charioteer in reply told Pradyumna that he was conversant with the war (conduct) of Vṛṣṇis (and he defended his action) (yuddhajñaś cāsmi vṛṣṇīnām) 3. 20. 2; Śālva tormented by Vṛṣṇis rode his Saubha to rise up in the sky and left Dvārakā 3. 20. 27; when Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā he was surprised to see the town of Vṛṣṇis with men and women extremely uneasy (asvasthanaranārīkam idaṁ vṛṣṇipuraṁ bhṛśam) 3. 21. 4; Kṛṣṇa then spoke to Āhuka, Vasudeva and Vṛṣṇi heroes asking them to remain alert (apramādaḥ sadā kāryo); he announced his decision to attack Śālva which delighted Vṛṣṇis; comforted, they asked him to kill the enemies and blessed him 3. 21. 7-11;

(18) Dhṛtarāṣṭra feared that Vṛṣṇi archers and spirited Pāñcālas, led by Kṛṣṇa, would burn the army of Kauravas 3. 48. 6; he told Saṁjaya that it was not possible even for mountains to withstand the velocity (of the attack) of Vṛṣṇis when led by Rāma and Kṛṣṇa (vṛṣṇīnām…/na śakyaḥ sahituṁ vegaḥ) 3. 48. 7;

(19) When Vṛṣṇis went to Prabhāsa to meet the Pāṇḍavas during the period of their exile, they found them smeared with dirt resting on bare ground; seeing them, Vṛṣṇis were filled with sorrow and cried loudly; Yudhiṣṭhira approached Vṛṣṇis and honoured them as they deserved; they too in return honoured Pāṇḍavas and sat around them 3. 118. 15, 18-21; Janamejaya asked Vaiśaṁpāyana to tell him the details of the talks between Vṛṣṇis, sitting around, and Pāṇḍavas at Prabhāsa 3. 119. 1-3; Sātyaki suggested to Balarāma that he should permit the army of Daśārhas to march against Duryodhana so that he would perish when overtaken by the army of Vṛṣṇis; he also said that the army consisting of principal Kṣatriya warriors of Vṛṣṇis, Bhojas and Andhakas should kill the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and enhance its fame (kṣatriyaśūrasenā loke yaśaḥ sphītam upākarotu) 3. 120. 5, 19;

(20) Kṛṣṇa told Draupadī that her sons while they were in the town of Vṛṣṇis (Dvārakā) they were not jealous of gods (tavātmajā vṛṣṇipuraṁ praviśya na daivatebhyaḥ spṛhayanti kṛṣṇe) 3. 180. 25; Satyabhāmā assured Draupadī that Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis had the same affection for her sons as for Pradyumna 3. 224. 14;

(21) Draupadī warned Jayadratha that if he insisted on abducting her, Vṛṣṇi heroes led by Kṛṣṇa, would chase him (vṛṣṇivīrā…padavīṁ careyuḥ) 3. 252. 16 (Nī. on 3. 268. 14 (in another context) padavīṁ caretāṁ anveṣaṇaṁ kurutaḥ);

(22) Vṛṣṇis, Bhojas and Andhakas went to Upaplavya to attend the marriage of Abhimanyu 4. 67. 14, 24; Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas and Bhojas returned to Dvārakā after the marriage 5. 7. 1;

(23) Saṁjaya advised Yudhiṣṭhira that it was more beneficial for him to live by begging in the kingdom of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas than get back the kingdom by resorting to war (bhaikṣyacaryāṁ andhakavṛṣṇirājye śreyo manye na tu yuddhena rājyam) 5. 27. 2;

(24) Andhakas, Vārṣṇeyas and Bhojas followed the advice of Kṛṣṇa and therefore they could restrain the enemies and delight their friends (andhakāś ca vārṣṇeyabhojāḥ); Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, led by Kṛṣṇa, were like Indra (kṛṣṇapraṇītāḥ sarva evendrakalpāḥ) 5. 28. 11-12;

(25) The son of Ugrasena (Kaṁsa) once shone amongst Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (vṛṣṇyandhakānāṁ madhyagataṁ tapantam) 5. 47. 72;

(26) Once Nārada advised Vṛṣṇis that they should do their duty (tasmāt karmaiva kartavyam iti hovāca nāradaḥ/…vṛṣṇicakrasya) 5. 48. 22 (Nī., however, on Bom. Ed. 5. 49. 22: karma yuddhaṁ kartavyaṁ tayor (i. e. kṛṣṇārjunayoḥ) iti śeṣaḥ/ācaṣṭa ākhyātavān nārada eva);

(27) Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas could not be subjugated by Jarāsandha either due to the policy adopted by them or due to sheer luck (nayenāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/te na tasya vaśaṁ jagmuḥ kevalaṁ daivam eva vā) 5. 50. 39;

(28) Kṛṣṇa protected Vṛṣṇis in all calamities (sarvāsv āpatsu) 5. 70. 4;

(29) According to Duryodhana if Kṛṣṇa was arrested Vṛṣṇis would be under his control (tasmin baddhe bhaviṣyanti vṛṣṇayaḥ…vidheyā me) 5. 86. 14;

(30) When Kṛṣṇa mounted the chariot to go to the Sabhā of Kauravas he was protected by Vṛṣṇis whose great chariot-fighters followed him (pṛṣṭhato 'nuyayuḥ); when he entered the Sabhā they walked behind him (āsan kṛṣṇasya pṛṣṭhataḥ) 5. 92. 14, 17, 33;

(31) All Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis lived happily together when the Yādavas abandoned Kaṁsa in the interest of the family (saṁbhūya sukhaṁ edhante) 5. 126. 39;

(32) Kṛṣṇa told Duryodhana that he was not alone in the Sabhā; Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis were with him; and when he laughed to show the great miracle (mahad āścaryaṁ 5. 129. 14) Vṛṣṇis and others, ready with weapons (samudyatamahāyudhāḥ), were there in front of him 5. 129. 3, 8-9;

(33) Kṛṣṇa asked Karṇa to recognize Vṛṣṇis who were his kin from the mother's side (viz. Kuntī) (mātṛpakṣe ca vṛṣṇayaḥ/dvau pakṣāv abhijānīhi); in that case Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis would follow him 5. 138. 10, 13, 23;

(34) Yudhiṣṭhira settled down in his camp at Kurukṣetra along with Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣnibhiś caiva …vṛtam) 5. 150. 2;

(35) Balarāma came to Pāṇḍavas along with Vṛṣṇi chiefs (vṛṣṇimukhyair abhigataiḥ) 5. 154. 17; but he decided not to take part in the war from any side and left for pilgrimage along with Vṛṣṇis 9. 34. 1, 5, 12; (cf. 5. 154. 34);

(36) Before the start of the war in the camp of Kauravas, Bṛhadbala along with the great warriors of Andhakas, Vṛṣṇis and Bhojas stood guard on the right side of the army (balaṁ tvadīyaṁ dakṣiṇato 'bhipāti) 6. 20. 14;

(37) On the ninth day of the war, at night, Pāṇḍavas sat down to take counsel with Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇibhiḥ saha/…mantrāya samupāviśan) 6. 103. 10;

(38) In the estimate of Vṛṣṇis, Cekitāna was a match for a hundred warriors in battle (śatād viśiṣṭaṁ yaṁ yuddhe samapaśyanta vṛṣṇayaḥ) 7. 9. 50;

(39) Droṇa, in order to encourage Jayadratha said that, after all, Vṛṣṇis and the rest were not eternal and that some day they (and by turn they all) were going to die (vṛṣṇayo 'nye ca mānavāḥ/…adhruvā …/…paryāyeṇa vayaṁ sarve…paralokaṁ gamiṣyāmaḥ) 7. 52. 30-31;

(40) Subhadrā wondered who could have killed Abhimanyu when Vṛṣṇi heroes were there to protect him; she pitied the heroism of Vṛṣṇi warriors (nātheṣu…vṛṣṇivīreṣu; dhig vīryaṁ vṛṣṇivīrāṇām) 7. 55. 9, 12;

(41) On the fourteenth day, Saṁjaya told Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Pāṇḍavas, Vṛṣṇis and others would blame him for the confusion in his mind (te buddhivyabhīcāram upalapsyanti) 7. 62. 7; the same day, Yudhiṣṭhira remembered that Arjuna, to praise Sātyaki, had told him in Dvaitavana that he would need Sātyaki's help even though Vṛṣṇis, led by Kṛṣṇa, were ready to help him 7. 85. 54, 58-60; Bhūriśravas wondered how Arjuna could look upon Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas who, by very nature were despicable, as authority (while deciding what was proper or improper in war) (prakṛtyaiva vigarhitāḥ/vṛṣṇyandhakāḥ kathaṁ pārtha pramāṇaṁ bhavatā kṛtāḥ//) 7. 118. 15;

(42) During the night war (14th-15th day), Karṇa assured Duryodhana that he would defeat Vṛṣṇis and the rest 7. 133. 11; after the death of Droṇa, Sātyaki told Dhṛṣṭadyumna that he deserved to be expelled (from the war) by Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis since he did a vile act and yet praised himself (yāpyas tvam asi…sarvaiś cāpyandhakavṛṣṇibhiḥ) 7. 169. 11;

(43) Sahadeva told Sātyaki that just as Pāṇḍavas had no friends other than Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, they too had no friends other than Pāṇḍavas 7. 169. 48-49; Pāñcālas too had no friends better than Pāṇḍavas and Vṛṣṇis 7. 169. 50;

(44) On the fifteenth day, when the Pāṇḍava army was being burnt by the Nārāyaṇāstra, Yudhiṣṭhira advised Sātyaki to leave the battle-field along with Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas 7. 170. 26;

(45) On the seventeenth day, at night (niśi 8. 1. 25), Dhṛtarāṣṭra while lamenting the death of Karṇa, told Saṁjaya that Karṇa, depending on the strength of his arms, never thought highly of Vṛṣṇis (nāmanyata vai nityam…na vṛṣṇīn api… svabāhubalam āśritaḥ//) 8. 5. 15;

(46) After the fall of Duryodhana, when Balarāma, in anger, left for Dvārakā, Pāñcālas and Vārṣṇeyas were disheartened (pāñcālāś ca savārṣṇeyāḥ…nātipramanaso 'bhavan) 9. 59. 27;

(47) Kṛṣṇa narrated to Yudhiṣṭhira that Aśvatthāman had once come to Dvārakā where he was highly honoured by Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇibhiḥ paramārcitaḥ) 10. 12. 11; Kṛṣṇa told Aśvatthāman that he was never before requested to part with his cakra by any one of the great warriors among Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (as Aśvatthāman did) 10. 12. 33;

(48) Kṛṣṇa told Gāndhārī that there was no one else except himself who could extirpate the clan of Vṛṣṇis (saṁhartā vṛṣṇicakrasya) 11. 25. 44;

(49) While repenting the loss of life in war, Yudhiṣṭhira said to Arjuna that if Pāṇḍavas, instead of waging war, had chosen to beg in the town of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas they would not have killed the males in the army of their kinsmen and would not have met with the misfortune (yad bhaikṣam ācariṣyāma vṛṣṇyandhakapure vayam/ jñātīn niṣpuruṣān kṛtvā nemāṁ prāpsyāma durgatin) 12. 7. 3;

(50) Yudhiṣṭhira while addressing Vyāsa pitied the plight of war widows who would curse Pāṇḍavas along with Vṛṣṇis 12. 33. 8;

(51) Kṛṣṇa told Arjuna that a very long time had elapsed since he was with Baladeva and other Vṛṣṇi chiefs in Dvārakā (vṛṣṇipuṁgavān) and he would therefore like to return to Dvārakā 14. 15. 20; Arjuna assured him that he would soon meet them; Yudhiṣṭhira requested Kṛṣṇa to return to Hāstinapura for the Aśvamedha after meeting Vṛṣṇis 14. 51. 23, 46;

(52) When Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā, Vṛṣṇi heroes were celebrating the festival of the Raivataka mountain (vihāro vṛṣṇivīrāṇām mahe raivatakasya ha) 14. 58. 13; Bhojas, Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis received Kṛṣṇa on the Raivataka; Kṛṣṇa honoured them and enquired about the welfare of Vṛṣṇis who sat around him (sa tān abhyarcya medhāvī pṛṣṭvā ca kuśalaṁ tadā) 14. 58. 17-19;

(53) On hearing the war account from Kṛṣṇa, Vṛṣṇis experienced the feelings of grief, pain, as well as delight (duḥkhaharṣaparikleśā vṛṣṇīnām abhavaṁs tadā) 14. 59. 36;

(54) Kṛṣṇa, along with Vṛṣṇis, went to Hāstinapura for the horse sacrifice; when Vṛṣṇi heroes lived there, Parikṣit was born, Abhimanyu had told Uttarā that her son would learn from Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas the science of archery, the different astras, and the entire science of morals (gatvā vṛṣṇyandhakakulaṁ dhanurvedaṁ grahīṣyati/astrāṇi ca vicitrāṇi nītiśāstraṁ ca kevalam//) 14. 65. 1, 8, 24;

(55) When Parikṣit was restored to life by Kṛṣṇa, Vṛṣṇi chiefs (vṛṣṇiśārdūlāḥ) gave Uttarā many jewels as gift; when Pāṇḍavas arrived at the place where Parikṣit was born, Vṛṣṇi chiefs (vṛṣṇipuṁgavāḥ) came out to welcome them (14. 69. 8-9, 13); Pāṇḍavas, along with Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇibhiḥ saha), entered Hāstinapura; when Vyāsa arrived, Kuru chiefs (Pāṇḍavas) sat near him along with Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes (saha vṛṣṇyandhakavyāghraiḥ) 14. 70. 2, 11;

(56) The Aśvamedha horse went to Dvāravatī which was protected by Vṛṣṇi heroes (vṛṣṇivīra-) 14. 84. 13; when the horse sacrifice was in progress, Kṛṣṇa, with Vṛṣṇis reached Hāstinapura 14. 88. 4;

(57) Yudhiṣṭhira told Kuntī that only the Vṛṣṇi circle (vṛṣṇicakram) had survived the war due to the favour of Kṛṣṇa 15. 44. 34;

(58) Janamejaya asked Vaiśaṁpāyana how were Andhakas, Vṛṣṇis and Bhojas destroyed in the presence of Vāsudeva and who pronounced the curse on them due to which they perished 16. 2. 1, 3; Vaiśaṁpāyana then told him that thirtysix years (after the coronation of Yudhiṣṭhira) Vṛṣṇis misbehaved and, as dictated by Kāla, they killed each other with pestle; the sages (Viśvāmitra, Kaṇva and Nārada) pronounced a curse to the effect that Sāmba would give birth to an iron pestle for the destruction of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (vṛṣṇyandhakavināśāya); that pesttle would wipe out the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas who were illbehaved, cruel and naughty, and the entire race except Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa (yena yūyaṁ sudurvṛttā nṛśaṁsā jātamanyavaḥ/ucchettāraḥ kulaṁ kṛtsnam ṛte rāmajanārdanau); when Kṛṣṇa heard what had happened, he told Vṛṣṇis that the curse would prove true (bhavitavyaṁ tathā) 16. 2. 2, 8-9, 13; the next day Sāmba gave birth to a pestle for the destruction of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; when the matter was reported to Ugrasena he prohibited fermentation of liquor in all the houses of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (adyaprabhṛti sarveṣu vṛṣṇyandhakagṛheṣv iha/surāsavo na kartavyaḥ sarvair nagaravāsibhiḥ//) 16. 2. 15, 18;

(59) When Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas were trying to protect themselves, Kāla constantly visited their houses; a certain bald, fierce man surveyed their houses and disappeared; day after day strong winds blew to foretell the destruction of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; day and night, sārikās produced shrill, unceasing sounds in the houses of Vṛṣṇis; pale pigeons with red feet, inspired by Kāla, moved in the houses of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; there occurred many other bad omens; asses with shrill voices responded to the sound produced by Pāñcajanya (evaṁ prayatamānānāṁ vṛṣṇīnām andhakaiḥ saha/kālo gṛhāṇi sarveṣāṁ paricakrāma nityaśaḥ; pāṇḍurā raktapādāś ca vihagāḥ kālacoditāḥ/vṛṣṇyandhakānāṁ geheṣu kapotā vyacaraṁs tadā; nadantaṁ pāñcajanyaṁ ca vṛṣṇyandhakaniveśane/samantāt pratyavāśyanta rāsabhā dāruṇasvarāḥ//) 16. 3. 1-7, 10-15; Vṛṣṇis, except Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, were not ashamed to commit sins; the rest hated Brāhmaṇas, fore-fathers and gods, disrespected elders in general; women and men transgressed rules of morality (patnyaḥ patīn vyuccaranta patnīś ca patayas tathā) 16. 3. 8-9;

(60) Vṛṣṇi women dreamt at night that a black woman with white teeth, laughing, ran around Dvārakā robbing them and men dreamt that fierce demons deprived them of their ornaments, chatras flag-staffs and armours; the cakra given to Kṛṣṇa by Agni rose up to the sky within the sight of Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇīnāṁ paśyatām); the four horses took the chariot upwards and the Apsarases took away, day and night, the flag-staffs of Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa and asked Vṛṣṇis to proceed on a tīrthayātrā 16. 4. 1-5;

(61) The great Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes desired to go for a tīrthayātrā along with their women; they took with them eatables (meat) and drinks (liquors) of different kinds and set out of the city 16. 4. 6-8;

(62) Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes, overpowered by Kāla, saw Uddhava deserting them; Kṛṣṇa knew the iminent destruction of Vṛṣṇis and hence he did not object to Uddhava's leaving Vṛṣṇis (kālaparītās te vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ) 16. 4. 11-12;

(63) Goaded by Kāla, Andhakas, Bhojas, Śaineyas and Vṛṣṇis struck one another with the darbhas turned into pestles 16. 4. 36 (cf. 16. 4. 34-35);

(64) Brooding over the destruction of Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, Kṛṣṇa thought it was time for him to depart (sa cintayāno 'ndhakavṛṣṇināśam…mene tataḥ saṁkramaṇasya kālam) 16. 5. 18;

(65) Dāruka went to Kurus (i. e. Pāṇḍavas) and reported to them the mutual killings of Vṛṣṇis with pestles (ācaṣṭa mausale vṛṣṇīn anyonyenopasaṁhṛtān) 16. 6. 1;

(66) Yudhiṣṭhira heard the destruction of the Vṛṣṇi clan (śuśrāva vṛṣṇicakrasya mausale kadanaṁ kṛtam) 16. 1. 7; Pāṇḍavas grieved to hear the destruction of Vṛṣṇis (Vārṣṇeyas) due to their attacking one another (parasparaṁ samāsādya… vṛṣṇīn vinaṣṭāṁś…) 16. 1. 9; (vinaṣṭān vārṣṇeyān sabhojakukurāndhakān) 16. 6. 2;

(67) Arjuna saw Dvārakā in the form of a river which was once full of water in the form of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas but now bereft of Vṛṣṇi chiefs (tāṁ sa vṛṣṇyandhakajalām…dvārakāsaritaṁ…vihīnāṁ vṛṣṇipuṁgavaiḥ) 16. 6. 8, 10-11;

(68) Kṛṣṇa had asked Vasudeva to inform Arjuna on his arrival at Dvārakā about the calamity that overtook Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇīnāṁ vaiśasaṁ mahat) 16. 7. 14;

(69) Vasudeva told Arjuna that Vṛṣṇis were destroyed due to the misconduct of Pradyumna and Sātyaki; the two started the destruction of Vṛṣṇis (tayor apanayāt pārtha vṛṣṇayo nidhanaṁ gatāḥ/ …pradyumno yuyudhānaś ca…/…tāv ubhau vṛṣṇināśasya mukham āstām) 16. 7. 5-7;

(70) Arjuna told Vasudeva that he would take with him the women of Vṛṣṇīs as well as their old men and children (vṛṣṇidārāṁs tu bālavṛddhāṁs tathaiva ca); he informed Dāruka that he would like to meet the ministers of Vṛṣṇi heroes (amātyān vṛṣṇivīrāṇām); he assured the gathering assembled in the Sudharmā Hall that he himself would take with him the Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka people to Indraprastha (ahaṁ neṣye vṛṣṇyandhakajanaṁ svayam) 16. 8. 5, 6, 10;

(71) Before departure, young Vṛṣṇi princes, led by Vajra, and the women offered oblations of water to Vasudeva (tato vajrapradhānās te vṛṣṇivīrakumārakāḥ/sarva evodakaṁ cakruḥ striyaś caiva mahātmanaḥ//); then Arjuna went to the place where Vṛṣṇis were destroyed; he was grieved to see them dead and did whatever was necessary on that occasion (prāptakālaṁ cakāra ca) 16. 8. 27-29;

(72) On the seventh day after the funeral rites of Vasudeva and others, Arjuna started for Indraprastha; Vṛṣṇi women, weeping and grieved, followed him in carriages drawn by horses, bulls, asses and camels (pāṇḍavaḥ/saptame divase prāyād…aśvayuktair rathaiś cāpi gokharoṣṭrayutair api/striyas tā vṛṣṇivīrāṇām…anujagmur…//); he was also followed by the servants of Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, as well as, by horse-riders, charioteers, and those riding elephants along with their foot-guards armed with excellent weapons (kuñjaraiś ca gajārohā yayuḥ…sapādarakṣaiḥ saṁyuktāḥ sottarāyudhikā yayuḥ); citizens, young and old, including sons of Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, all the four castes and their women followed him; sixteen thousand wives of Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) left Dvārakā following Vajra (daśa ṣaṭ ca sahasrāṇivāsude vāvarodhanam); the number of Bhoja, Andhaka, and Vṛṣṇi women who had lost their husbands was extremely large (bahūni ca sahasrāṇi prayutāny arbudāni ca/bhojavṛṣṇyandhakastrīṇāṁ hatanāthāni niryayuḥ//); the large number of prosperous Vṛṣṇi people looked like an ocean (tat sāgarasamaprakhyaṁ vṛṣṇicakraṁ mahardhimat); when those dwellers of Dvārakā left, the city was plunged in waters of ocean; the citizens left in great hurry crying ‘oh! this was our Fate!’ (tūrṇāt tūrṇataram jagmur aho daivam iti bruvan//) 16. 8. 32-41;

(73) While Arjuna was taking Vṛṣṇis and their women with him, in Pañcanada they were attacked by Ābhīras (Dasyus) in order to deprive them of their wealth (abhyadhāvanta vṛṣṇīnāṁ taṁ janaṁ loptrahāriṇaḥ…abhipetur dhanārthaṁ te) 16. 8. 42-48; Vṛṣṇi warriors, riding elephants, horses and chariots, were unable to check the robbers carrying away Vṛṣṇi women; Arjuna tried to protect the large number of women running in different directions (kalatrasya bahutvāt tu saṁpatatsu tatas tataḥ); the excellent women were dragged away in the presence of all warriors; but some went willingly (pramadottamāḥ/samantato 'vakṛṣyanta kāmāc cānyāḥ pravavrajuḥ) 16. 8. 42, 47, 55-57;

(74) Then Arjuna, helped by Vṛṣṇi servants, struck Dasyus with arrows (śaraiḥ pārtho…/jaghāna dasyūn…vṛṣṇibhṛtyaiḥ saha prabhuḥ//); excellent women of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas were abducted by Mlecchas in spite of Arjuna (prekṣatas tv eva pārthasya vṛṣṇyandhakavarastriyaḥ/ jagmur ādāya te mlecchāḥ//); the few women of Vṛṣṇīs who escaped were taken by Arjuna to Kurukṣetra and he settled them there at various places (tataḥ sa śeṣam ādāya kalatrasya mahāmatiḥ/ hṛtabhūyiṣṭharatnasya kurukṣetram avātarat/evaṁ kalatram ānīya vṛṣṇīnāṁ hṛtaśeṣitam/nyaveśayata kauravyas tatra tatra dhanaṁjayaḥ//) 16. 8. 58, 61, 65-66;

(75) Arjuna informed Vyāsa about the destruction of Vṛṣṇi heroes at Prabhāsa caused by the curse of Brāhmaṇas; five hundred thousand brave Bhoja, Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka warriors had killed one another with erakā grass; he also told him that thousands of Vṛṣṇi women were abducted by Ābhīras of Pañcanada in spite of him (hataṁ pañcaśataṁ teṣāṁ sahasraṁ (Nī. on Bom. Ed. 16. 8. 11: pañcaśataṁ sahasraṁ sahasraguṇitaṁ pañcalakṣānīty arthaḥ); vṛṣṇidārāś ca…sahasraśaḥ/ ābhīrair…hṛtāḥ pañcanadālayaiḥ hṛtāḥ) 16. 9. 8-11, 16;

(76) Vyāsa consoled Arjuna by saying that the great warriors of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas were burnt by the curse of Brāhmaṇas and therefore Arjuna should not be grieved over their destruction; what had happened was bound to happen for that was dictated by fate for the magnanimous (Vṛṣṇis) (bhavitavyaṁ tathā tad dhi diṣṭam etan mahātmanām) 16. 9. 25-26;

(77) Arjuna reported to Yudhiṣṭhira exactly what had happened to Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka people (ācaṣṭa tad yathāvṛttam) 16. 9. 38;

(78) Janamejaya asked Vaiśaṁpāyana what the Pāṇḍavas did after hearing about the strife in the family of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (vṛṣṇyandhakakule…āhavam); Vaiśaṁpāyana told him that having heard about the great destruction of Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇīnāṁ kadanaṁ mahat), Yudhiṣṭhira decided to leave the kingdom (to retire to the forest); considering the destruction of Vṛṣṇis and knowing the decision of Yudhiṣṭhira, all his brothers were glad to follow him (harṣo 'bhavac ca sarveṣāṁ bhrātṝṇāṁ gamanaṁ prati/yudhiṣṭhiramataṁ jñātvā vṛṣṇikṣayam avekṣya ca) 17. 1. 1-2, 22;

(79) In heaven, Yudhiṣṭhira was shown great heroes of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathān) among the groups of Sādhyas, Vasus and Maruts 18. 4. 14.


F. Several persons referred to by just the family name Vṛṣṇi or Vārṣṇeya, or as their chief or king, or excellent among them, or hero of them, delighter, uplifter of the family, honoured by them, bull, tiger, lion among them, rarely mean among them:


A. Related to or belonging to Vṛṣṇis or Vārṣṇeyas, mostly as vārṣṇeya, occasionally as vṛṣṇi: (i) vārṣṇeya:

(1) Kṛtavarman 9. 16. 69;

(2) Chiefly Kṛṣṇa 1. 194. 15; 1. 210. 7, 15; 1. 214. 19; 1. 215. 2; 2. 2. 7; 2. 18. 21; 2. 19. 12; 2. 30. 18; 2. 33. 27, 30; 2. 34. 1; 2. 35. 10; 2. 42. 28; 3. 23. 20; 3. 180. 39; 3. 187. 52; 5. 5. 11; 5. 7. 8; 5. 76. 15, 20; 5. 78. 8; 5. 82. 11; 5. 84. 21; 5. 85. 10; 5. 87. 15; 5. 88. 3, 27, 37; 5. 89. 7, 11, 36; 5. 122. 5; 5. 128. 6; 5. 135. 7; 5. 139. 1, 15, 29, 54, 56; 5. 141. 6, 9; 5. 151. 1; 5. 155. 12, 14; 6. 23. 41; 6. 25. 36; 6. 46. 3, 12; 6. 48. 12; 6. 55. 62; 6. 77. 33; 6. 80. 44; 6. 103. 21, 46, 50, 55; 6. 108. 31; 7. 10. 34; 7. 58. 33; 7. 59. 11; 7. 67. 24; 7. 68. 17; 7. 70. 1; 7. 122. 26; 7. 123. 29; 7. 124. 7; 7. 153. 4; 7. 157. 21; 7. 158. 32-33; 7. 165. 43; 8. 23. 17; 8. 31. 55; 8. 52. 6; 8. 57. 32; 10. 9. 30; 11. 17. 5, 20; 11. 18. 12; 12. 48. 14; 12. 50. 2; 12. 52. 23; 12. 82. 13; 12. 330. 50; 13. 17. 168; 13. 32. 25; 14. 17. 5; 14. 52. 1, 2; 14. 58. 17; 14. 59. 1; 14. 60. 9; 14. 65. 27; 14. 66. 6; 14. 67. 8, 13;

(3) Cekitāna 6. 80. 20;

(4) Balarāma 5. 155. 36; 10. 9. 27;

(5) Vasudeva 14. 60. 20;

(6) Vārdhakṣemi 7. 24. 49-50;

(7) Viṣṇu (identified with Kṛṣṇa) (vārṣṇeya adj.) 12. 203. 9-10;

(8) Sātyaki 1. 1. 138; 5. 161. 6; 6. 54. 7; 6. 68. 26; 6. 70. 25; 6. 78. 39; 6. 97 46, 54; 6. 100. 30-33; 7. 71. 14, 16; 7. 85. 44, 62, 81, 88; 7. 95. 15, 18; 7. 102. 13; 7. 117. 56; 7. 118 13, 40; 7. 122. 35; 7. 164. 155; 7. 169. 50; 9. 16. 69;

(9) Nala's charioteer 3. 57. 9-11, 19; 3. 58. 1; 3. 64. 8; 3. 69. 20, 23, 32-33; 3. 70. 4, 13, 15; 3. 71. 17, 28, 30; 3. 72. 11, 13; (ii) vārṣṇeyī (f.):

(1) Kuntī 5. 142. 29; 14. 60. 38;

(2) Subhadrā 1. 211. 19; 7. 50. 25; 7. 54. 12; 12. 1. 16; 14. 60. 31; (iii) vṛṣṇi:

(1) Kṛtavarman 8. 38. 32;

(2) Sātyaki 7. 93. 33; 7. 145. 55;


B. Chief, king or excellent among Vṛṣṇis or their important hero: (i) vṛṣṇinātha: Kṛṣṇa 6. 55. 95; (ii) vṛṣṇipati:

(1) Ugrasena (vṛṣṇiº ºpati) 14. 84. 15;

(2) Kṛṣṇa 5. 61. 12; (vṛṣṇiº ºpati) 14. 88. 13; (iii) vṛṣṇipravara:

(1) Kṛtavarman (vṛṣṇināṁ pravara-) 7. 140. 34;

(2) Kṛṣṇa 3. 118. 18 (sarvaº); 8. 45. 65;

(3) Balarāma 3. 118. 18 (sarvaº); 9. 38. 21; 9. 47. 61;

(4) Sātyaki 7. 117. 59 (vṛṣṇivīrāṇāṁ pravara-); (iv) vṛṣṇimahāmātra: Unspecified Vṛṣṇis 1. 213. 23; (v) vṛṣṇīnāṁ mukhya-: Kṛṣṇa 5. 56. 2; (vi) vṛṣṇīnāṁ rājan-: Ugrasena 1. 211. 8; (vii) vṛṣṇivara: Sātyaki 6. 59. 27; 7. 85. 14; 7. 115. 20; (viii) vṛṣṇīnāṁ vāsudevo 'smi: Kṛṣṇa 6. 32. 37; (ix) vṛṣṇikulaśreṣṭha: Kṛṣṇa 3. 23. 24; (x) vṛṣṇiśreṣṭha: Kṛṣṇa 5. 69. 4; (xi) vṛṣṇyandhakaº ºuttama: Kṛṣṇa 7. 79. 1;


C. Protector, upbringer of Vṛṣṇis; (i) prākāraḥ sarvavṛṣṇīnām: Kṛṣṇa 2. 30. 12; vṛṣṇivaṁśasya bhartā goptā ca: Kṛṣṇa 5. 84. 3;


D. Hero, excellent hero, great chariotfighter of Vṛṣṇis: (i) vṛṣṇipravīra:

(1) Kṛṣṇa 1. 183. 2; (vṛṣṇīnāṁ pravaraṁ vīram) 7. 9. 33; 7. 102. 59; 14. 68. 6; 16. 8. 2;

(2) Pradyumna 3. 18. 11;

(3) Sātyaki 7. 73. 1; 7. 115. 8; 7. 117. 50; young ones (not specified) vṛṣṇipravīrān bālān 3. 15. 7; (ii) vṛṣṇivīra:

(1) Kṛṣṇa 1. 1. 103; 5 22. 31 (Viṣṇu); 7. 10. 30; 7. 78. 35; 8. 12. 69; 8. 66. 51; 14. 61. 14;

(2) Balarāma 1. 1. 103;

(3) Sātyaki 5. 49. 36; 7. 91. 31; 7. 99. 18; 7. 102. 15;

(4) Gada, Sāmba and others (pl.) 7. 10. 2729; (iii) Great chariot-fighter of Vṛṣṇis or Vārṣṇeyas, honoured by Vṛṣṇis, leader of their army: (a) Great chariotfighter: (i) vṛṣṇipravīrāṇāṁ atiratha-:

(1) Pradyumna 7. 85. 90; 16. 7. 6;

(2) Sātyaki 7. 85. 90; 16. 7. 6; (ii) vṛṣṇīnāṁ pravararatha-: Sātyaki 7. 102. 7; 7. 145. 36; 8. 69. 36; (iii) vārṣṇeyānāṁ mahāratha-: Sātyaki 6. 107. 14; (iv) vṛṣṇiº mahāratha-:

(1) Kṛtavarman 9. 20. 12;

(2) Pradyumna (vṛṣṇīnāṁ khyātau mahārathau) 7. 131. 4;

(3) Sātyaki 9. 20. 12; (vṛṣṇīnāṁ khyātau mahārathau) 7. 131. 4; (b) Hero, honoured by Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇīnāṁ saṁmato vīraḥ): Kṛtavarman 5. 129. 23; (c) Commander of Vṛṣṇi heroes (vṛṣṇivīrāṇāṁ senāpatiḥ): Akrūra 1. 213. 25; (d) Intolerant among prominent Vṛṣṇi heroes (vṛṣṇipravīrāṇām amarṣī): Sātyaki 5. 167. 4;


E. Delighter or leader or bringer of fame to Vṛṣṇis: (a) Delighter (vṛṣṇinandana):

(1) Kṛṣṇa 3. 15. 1; 3. 22. 13; 5. 74. 5;

(2) Pradyumana (?) 2. 4. 29;

(3) Sātyaki (?) 2. 4. 29;

(4) Sāmba (?) 2. 4. 29;

(5) Kumaras (not named) 2. 4. 29; 3. 17. 8; (b) Leader (vṛṣṇikulodvaha):

(1) Kṛṣṇa 2. 14. 4; 14. 11. 3; 14. 51. 6;

(2) Sātyaki 1. 61. 73;

(3) Sāmba 3. 17. 18; (c) Bringer of fame: (a) vṛṣṇiyaśaskara:

(1) Abhimanyu 8. 51. 69;

(2) Sātyaki 7. 117. 25, 28; 7. 137. 10; (b) vṛṣṇīnāṁ kīrtivardhanaḥ: Sātyaki 7. 164. 158;


F. Bull or lion or tiger among Vṛṣṇis (or Vārṣṇeyas): (a) Bull among Vṛṣṇis: (i) vṛṣṇīnām ṛṣabha-:

(1) Kṛṣṇa (not directly mentioned) 3. 34. 85; 5. 91. 22; 10. 12. 38;

(2) Sātyaki 7. 91. 50; (ii) vārṣṇeyaº ºpuṁgava: Kṛṣṇa 14. 51. 36; young ones (not specified); bālakaiḥ vṛṣṇipuṁgavaiḥ 3. 15. 6; (iii) vṛṣṇipuṁgava:

(1) Kṛṣṇa 14. 52. 11;

(2) Sātyaki 7. 95. 1; (b) Tiger among Vṛṣṇis: vṛṣṇiº ºvyāghra: Sātyaki 7. 117. 47, 55; (c) Tiger or lion among Vṛṣṇis: vṛṣṇiśārdūla:

(1) Kṛṣṇa 3. 187. 54; 3. 188. 8; 4. 67. 24; 7. 148. 29; 11. 16. 42; 13. 32. 8, 32; 14. 66. 13; 14. 89. 9;

(2) Sātyaki 7. 96. 32; (d) Lion among Vṛṣṇis: vṛṣṇisiṁha:

(1) Kṛtavarman 9. 16. 71; 9. 20. 14;

(2) Kṛṣṇa 2. 37. 8; 5. 22. 30; 5. 47. 39, 44, 94; 7. 114. 80;

(3) Sātyaki 9. 16. 71; 9. 20. 14.


G. Honoured by Vṛṣṇis: (a) vṛṣṇīnām arcitaḥ: Uddhava 2. 46. 11; (b) saṁmato ºvṛṣṇiṣu: Sātyaki 5. 63. 7.


H. Born in the family of Vṛṣṇis: vṛṣṇīnāṁ kule jātā: Kuntī 3. 287. 23.


I. Teacher of Vṛṣṇi heroes: ācāryo vṛṣṇivīrāṇām: Droṇa 4. 64. 15.


J. Rarely, lowest or defiler of the Vṛṣṇis: (a) vṛṣṇikulādhama:

(1) Kṛṣṇa (so called by Śālva) 3. 15. 8;

(2) Sātyaki (so called by Dhṛṣṭadyumna after the death of Droṇa) 7. 169. 31; (b) vṛṣṇipāṁsana: Sātyaki (so called by Somadatta after the death of his son Bhūriśravas) 7. 131. 7.


K. Dvārakā referred to as a town of Vṛṣṇis: vṛṣṇiº ºpura 3. 16. 19; 12. 7. 3; vṛṣṇipura 3. 180. 25. [See Andhaka, Daśārha, Bhoja, Madhu, Yādava, Vāsudeva, Sātvat ]


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Mahabharata Cultural Index

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

Vṛṣṇi : m. (pl.): Name of a people, occasionally referred to as Vārṣṇeyas; often mentioned along with Andhakas and sometimes also with Bhojas.


A. Location: They lived in the city Dvārakā; the city is referred to as vṛṣṇipura 3. 21. 4; 3. 180. 25; vṛṣṇyandhakapura 3. 16. 19 (see below Epic events No. 17).


B. Origin: The origin of the Vṛṣṇi race is sought in the extensive race of Prajāpati known as the progeny of Śaśabindu (prajām ācakṣate viprāḥ paurāṇīṁ śāśabindavīm/ sa vṛṣṇivaṁśaprabhavo mahāvaṁśaḥ prajāpateḥ//) 12. 201. 13 (Comm. Arjunamiśra on 12. 201. 11: śaśabinduḥ vṛṣṇīnāṁ pūrvajaḥ/ so 'pi prajāpatiḥ); see Editor's note, Cr. edn. Vol. 16, p. 2166).


C. Greatness: While narrating the descent of the first generations (ādivaṁśāvatāra), Vaiśaṁpāyana told Janamejaya that the allpervading Puruṣa took birth (as Kṛṣṇa) among the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas for furthering the cause of dharma (puruṣaḥ sa vibhuḥ…/dharmasaṁvardhanārthāya prajajñe 'ndhakavṛṣṇiṣu) 1. 57. 87; Nārāyaṇa was born as Kṛṣṇa in the family of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas 2. 33. 17; 2. 34. 15.


D. Description and characteristics: Of good nature (sumanas) 5. 84. 4; very fortunate (sumahābhāga) 12. 82. 8; having all enjoyments (bhogavant) 5. 28. 12; prosperous (sphīta) 5. 84. 3; prosperous because they were always active (nityotthānena saṁpannāḥ) 12. 82. 8; magnanimous (mahātman) 1. 213. 53; 3. 119. 2; 16. 9. 26; of great lustre (sumahaujas) 1. 211. 5; spirited (manasvin) 5. 28. 12; brave (śūra) and proud like lion (siṁhadarpa) 16. 9. 9; heroic (vīra, vīryavant) 2. 13. 59; excellent heroes (uttamavīrya) 1. 213. 55: strong, very strong (balin) 2. 17. 27; (mahābala) 2. 13. 59; 5. 28 12; 16. 9. 9; (balavant) 12. 82. 8; powerful (sāmarthyavant) 2. 13. 53; great archers (maheṣvāsa) 2. 72. 29; 3. 48. 6; tigers among men (puruṣavyāghra) 1. 212. 14; immensly powerful like tigers (vyāghrair iva balotkaṭaiḥ) 5. 154. 17; proficient in all śāstras (sarvaśāstraviśārada) 3. 119. 2; difficult to be attacked (durdharṣa) 2. 4. 26; (durāsada) 12. 82. 8; of ture valour (satyaparākrama) 5. 28. 12; bringing together people (?) (lokasaṁhanana) 2. 13. 59; having long arms, like iron bars (bāhuśālin, parighabāhu) 16. 9. 10-11; their arms were capable of resisting maces, iron bars and śaktis (gadāparighaśaktīnāṁ sahāḥ) 16. 9. 10; they were like Indra (indrakalpa) 5. 28. 12; like gods (devarūpin) 2. 4. 26; attached to Kṛṣṇa (tvayy āsaktāḥ) 12. 82. 29; Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas followed the advice of Kṛṣṇa (yasya prajñām upāsate) 5. 84. 4; following Kṛṣṇa's advice, Vārṣṇeyas and Bhojas restrained their enemies and gave delight to friends (vārṣṇeyabhojāḥ …upāsīnā vāsudevasya buddhiṁ nigṛhya śatrūn suhṛdo nandayanti) 5. 28. 11; no one in the past was or in the future would be equal to Vṛṣṇis in strength; they did not disregard kinsmen, were obedient to elders, gods, Asuras, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas; men were unable to defeat Vṛṣṇi warriors in battles: they did not rob Brāhmaṇas, teachers, kinsmen of their wealth; on the other hand, if any one of them was in difficulty they protected him; they were wealthy, but were not arrogant; truthful, they were devoted to Brāhmaṇas; they did not underrate the strong ones, they uplifted the weak ones; they worshipped gods, were controlled and generous, but not given to boasting; due to these virtues Vṛṣṇi warriors were not attacked; one might carry mountain Meru, cross the ocean, but not succeed if he dared attack Vṛṣṇi warriors (na tulyaṁ…bhūtaṁ bhavyaṁ bhaviṣyac ca balena; samarthān nāvamanyante dīnān abhyuddharanti ca; tena vṛṣṇipravīrāṇāṁ cakraṁ na pratihanyate; Nī. on Bom. Ed. 7. 144. 28: cakraṁ pratāpaḥ 7. 119. 22-27 (this description of Vṛṣṇis immediately follows that of the Sātvatas (7. 119. 20-21) which is indicative of the identity between the two); Bhūriśravas deriding Sātyaki ridiculed Vṛṣṇis as vrātyas, not distinguishing between good and evil acts, and despicable by very nature (vrātyāḥ saṁśliṣtakarmāṇaḥ prakṛtyaiva vigarhitāḥ) 7. 118. 15.


E. Epic events:

(1) The Vṛṣṇis went to the forest to meet Pāṇḍavas (vṛṣṇīnām āgamo yatra)--a reference to a later epic event (see No. 15 below) in the summary of the contents of the Āraṇyakaparvan (given in the sub-parvan parvasaṁgraha) 1. 2. 106;

(2) Yudhiṣṭhira heard from Nārada the massive mutual destruction of the Vṛṣṇis--a reference to a later event (see below No. 65) in the summary of the contents of the Āśramavāsikaparvan 1. 2. 217 (actually this event does not form part of the Āśramavāsikaparvan but of the Mausalaparvan and Yudhiṣṭhira did not get the news from Nārada but from Dāruka (cf. 16. 1. 7; 16. 6. 11); Arjuna seeing Dvārakā without Vṛṣṇis was dejected 1. 2. 223; he performed the funeral rites of Rāma, Kṛṣṇa and other Vṛṣṇi-chiefs (vṛṣṇīnāṁ ca pradhānataḥ); he felt sad on account of the abduction of Vṛṣṇi women (nāśaṁ vṛṣṇikalatrāṇām) 1. 2. 227--all three events are references given in the summary of the Mausalaparvan to later epic events (see below Epic events Nos. 70-75);

(3) Vṛṣṇis learnt the science of archery (dhanurveda) from Kṛpa 1. 120. 21; Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas approached Droṇa to learn the astras (astrārthe…vṛṣṇayaś cāndhakāś caiva) 1. 122. 46;

(4) Vṛṣṇi chiefs attended the svayaṁvara of Draupadī 1. 177. 18; as advised by Kṛṣṇa they watched the proceedings of the svayaṁvara 1. 178. 8;

(5) Bhoja, Vṛṣṇi, and Andhaka women gathered to see Arjuna when he arrived at Dvārakā; Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas honoured and greeted Arjuna; he paid his respects to the deserving among them; Vṛṣṇis, along with Bhojas and Andhakas celebrated a grand festival in honour of the Raivataka mountain; in that festival, Vṛṣṇis and others gave gifts to thousands of Brāhmaṇas; thousands of illustrious youths of Vṛṣṇis put on ornaments and moved about riding vehicles decorated with gold; their wives and followers accompanied them 1. 211. 1-2, 5-6;

(6) On hearing the sound of the drum sounded by the guardian of the Sabhā, agitated Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, leaving aside food and drink, assembled by hundreds in the Sabhā and took their seats on the siṁhāsanas; the Sabhāpāla told them that Arjuna had abducted Subhadrā; on hearing it they leaped up from their seats and asked their charioteers to yoke the chariots and bring their weapons, bows and armours; others brought forth their gold-decked horses; when all these arrangements were being done there arose a confused sound of the Vṛṣṇi heroes 1. 212. 12-19; Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas got ready to follow Balarāma when he announced his intention to fight with Arjuna (anvapadyanta te sarve bhojavṛṣṇyandhakās tadā) 1. 212. 31-32; Vṛṣṇis made their intention to attack Arjuna known several times; but when Kṛṣṇa told them that Arjuna had done the right thing, they were pacified 1. 213. 2-11; Kṛṣṇa with Vṛṣṇis and others went to the Khāṇḍavaprastha to attend the marriage of Subhadrā with Arjuna; they took with them large number of nuptial gifts (haraṇaṁ bahu); they were received by Nakula and Sahadeva; the illustrious Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇicakraṁ samṛddhimat) entered Khāṇḍavaprastha; Yudhiṣṭhira received the seniors among Vṛṣṇis with honours according to the rules and following the actual practice (?) (pratijagrāha satkārair yathāvidhi yathopagam); he honoured some Vṛṣṇi-chiefs as elders, some as friends; he greeted some with affection and was himself greeted by some (guruvat pūjayām āsa kāṁścit kāṁścid vayasyavat/kāṁścid abhyavadat premṇā kaiś cid apy abhivāditaḥ//) 1. 213. 23-24, 29, 31, 34, 38-39; after receiving their gifts, Yudhiṣṭhira honoured the great warriors of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathān); the best among the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (vṛṣṇyandhakottamāḥ) lived happily with Kurus and enjoyed with them great drinking bouts (mahāpānair…vijahruḥ kuruvṛṣṇayaḥ); then, after many days, the Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka warriors (uttamavīryās te), led by Balarāma, returned to Dvārakā taking with them bright jewels given to them by Kurus 1. 213. 52-56;

(7) Vṛṣṇi princes (vṛṣṇīnāṁ…kumārā…) were among those who waited on Dharmarāja in his Sabhā 2. 4. 26;

(8) They were taught the science of archery by Arjuna (kumārā…vṛṣṇinandanāḥ) 2. 4. 29;

(9) Vṛṣṇis fled from Mathurā and settled down at Kuśasthalī in the west; they fortified the new settlement in such a way as to make it difficult to be captured even by gods; even women could fight and hold it against the attack (striyo 'pi yasyāṁ yudhyeyuḥ kiṁ punar vṛṣṇipuṁgavāḥ 2. 13. 51); Vṛṣṇis lived there without fear from any quarter (akutobhayāḥ); although powerful, they had allied themselves with Pāṇḍavas because of their relationship (sāmarthyavantaḥ sambandhād bhavantaṁ samupāśritāḥ); Cārudeṣṇa and all other Vṛṣṇi heroes though free from grief, lived at Kuśasthalī still remembering the Madhyadeśa (where they formerly lived) (smaranto madhyamaṁ deśaṁ vṛṣṇimadhye gatavyathāḥ) 2. 13. 53, 59;

(10) Jarāsandha was neglected by Vṛṣṇis, though strong, out of considerations of policy (balibhiḥ …vṛṣṇibhiś ca…nītihetor upekṣitaḥ) 2. 17. 27;

(11) Vṛṣṇis arrived at Khāṇḍavaprastha for the Rājasūya of Yudhiṣṭhira 2. 31. 16;

(12) Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas did not pay tribute to Yudhiṣṭhira for Rājasūya because of their friendly relations with Pāṇḍavas (sakhyenāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ) 2. 48. 42; however, Vārṣṇeyas are said to have brought for Yudhiṣṭhira many kinds of tribute (vārṣṇeyān hārahūṇāṁś ca …balyarthaṁ dadatas tasmai nānārūpān anekaśaḥ) but were stopped at the gate 2. 47. 19-20, 25; the tribute is described in 2. 47. 21-25 (since Vārṣṇeyas are here listed along with Cīnas, Hūṇas, Śakas, Oḍras, forest-dwellers, and Hārahūṇas, are these Vārṣṇeyas different from Vṛṣṇis who formed a section of the Yādavas and did not pay tribute ?):

(13) Śiśupāla instigated the kings assembled for the Rājasūya to fight with Vṛṣṇis and Pāṇḍavas 2. 36. 14;

(14) Vidura warned Kauravas that Vṛṣṇis would never forgive the hardship suffered by Draupadī in the Sabhā (tasyāḥ…parikleśaṁ na kṣaṁsyante…/vṛṣṇayo vā maheṣvāsāḥ) 2. 72. 29;

(15) Hearing that Pāṇḍavas had gone into exile, Vṛṣṇis, Bhojas, and Andhakas went to meet them in the Dvaitavana (3. 12. 68); they sat around Yudhiṣṭhira, blamed Kauravas and wondered what they could do (to help them) 3. 13. 1, 3-4;

(16) Draupadī complained to Kṛṣṇa that Kauravas had desired to reduce her to the status of a dāsī although Vṛṣṇis were alive (dāsībhāvena bhoktuṁ mām īṣus te madhusūdana/jīvatsu…atha vṛṣṇiṣu) 3. 13. 56; 5. 80. 25;

(17) When Śālva attacked Dvārakā in the absence of Kṛṣṇa, young Vṛṣṇi heroes fought with him (bālakair vṛṣṇipuṁgavaiḥ); Śālva killed many of the excellent Vṛṣṇi heroes (vṛṣṇipravīrāṁs tān bālān hatvā) 3. 15. 6-7; during Śālva's attack on Dvārakā drinking liquor was prohibited; Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas had to remain alert apprehending Śālva might attack them when they were drunk (pramatteṣv abhighātaṁ hi kuryāt …iti kṛtvāpramattās te sarve vṛṣṇyandhakāḥ sthitāḥ//) 3. 16. 12-13; it was then ruled that no one in the town of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas could leave or enter the town without valid permit (na cāmudro 'bhiniryāti na cāmudraḥ praveśyate/vṛṣṇyandhakapure) 3. 16. 19; when the youthful Vṛṣṇi princes saw Śālva's army attacking Dvārakā, they came out and fought with the opponents (kumārā vṛṣṇinandanāḥ) 3. 17. 8; when Pradyumna swooned, the army of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas raised a cry of grief; when Pradyumna regained consciousness he blamed his charioteer for removing his chariot away from the battlefield for that was not the battle-dharma of Vṛṣṇ warriors (naiṣa vṛṣṇipravīrāṇām āhave dharma ucyate) 3. 19. 1-2, 5; he told the charioteer that one who left the battlefield was not born in the family of Vṛṣṇis (na sa vṛṣṇikule jāto yo vai tyajati saṁgaram), nor he who killed one fallen on the ground or who had surrendered, or a woman, an old man or a child, or one who was without a chariot, who was shattered, and whose weapons were broken; he reminded the charioteer that he (the charioteer) knew what the dharma of Vṛṣṇis was in battles, and since he knew the entire code of conduct of Vṛṣṇis engaged in fighting he should not have taken Pradyumna away form battlefield; (dharmajñaś cāsi vṛṣṇīnām āhaveṣv api…/sa jānaṁś caritaṁ kṛtsnaṁ vṛṣṇīṇāṁ pṛtanāmukhe/) 3. 19. 13-16; Pradyumna wondered what the women of Vṛṣṇi heroes would say to him when he met them 3. 19. 21; Pradyumna asked his charioteer how he could face Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis who always vied with him (mayā spardhanti satataṁ) 3. 19. 28; the charioteer in reply told Pradyumna that he was conversant with the war (conduct) of Vṛṣṇis (and he defended his action) (yuddhajñaś cāsmi vṛṣṇīnām) 3. 20. 2; Śālva tormented by Vṛṣṇis rode his Saubha to rise up in the sky and left Dvārakā 3. 20. 27; when Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā he was surprised to see the town of Vṛṣṇis with men and women extremely uneasy (asvasthanaranārīkam idaṁ vṛṣṇipuraṁ bhṛśam) 3. 21. 4; Kṛṣṇa then spoke to Āhuka, Vasudeva and Vṛṣṇi heroes asking them to remain alert (apramādaḥ sadā kāryo); he announced his decision to attack Śālva which delighted Vṛṣṇis; comforted, they asked him to kill the enemies and blessed him 3. 21. 7-11;

(18) Dhṛtarāṣṭra feared that Vṛṣṇi archers and spirited Pāñcālas, led by Kṛṣṇa, would burn the army of Kauravas 3. 48. 6; he told Saṁjaya that it was not possible even for mountains to withstand the velocity (of the attack) of Vṛṣṇis when led by Rāma and Kṛṣṇa (vṛṣṇīnām…/na śakyaḥ sahituṁ vegaḥ) 3. 48. 7;

(19) When Vṛṣṇis went to Prabhāsa to meet the Pāṇḍavas during the period of their exile, they found them smeared with dirt resting on bare ground; seeing them, Vṛṣṇis were filled with sorrow and cried loudly; Yudhiṣṭhira approached Vṛṣṇis and honoured them as they deserved; they too in return honoured Pāṇḍavas and sat around them 3. 118. 15, 18-21; Janamejaya asked Vaiśaṁpāyana to tell him the details of the talks between Vṛṣṇis, sitting around, and Pāṇḍavas at Prabhāsa 3. 119. 1-3; Sātyaki suggested to Balarāma that he should permit the army of Daśārhas to march against Duryodhana so that he would perish when overtaken by the army of Vṛṣṇis; he also said that the army consisting of principal Kṣatriya warriors of Vṛṣṇis, Bhojas and Andhakas should kill the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and enhance its fame (kṣatriyaśūrasenā loke yaśaḥ sphītam upākarotu) 3. 120. 5, 19;

(20) Kṛṣṇa told Draupadī that her sons while they were in the town of Vṛṣṇis (Dvārakā) they were not jealous of gods (tavātmajā vṛṣṇipuraṁ praviśya na daivatebhyaḥ spṛhayanti kṛṣṇe) 3. 180. 25; Satyabhāmā assured Draupadī that Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis had the same affection for her sons as for Pradyumna 3. 224. 14;

(21) Draupadī warned Jayadratha that if he insisted on abducting her, Vṛṣṇi heroes led by Kṛṣṇa, would chase him (vṛṣṇivīrā…padavīṁ careyuḥ) 3. 252. 16 (Nī. on 3. 268. 14 (in another context) padavīṁ caretāṁ anveṣaṇaṁ kurutaḥ);

(22) Vṛṣṇis, Bhojas and Andhakas went to Upaplavya to attend the marriage of Abhimanyu 4. 67. 14, 24; Vṛṣṇis, Andhakas and Bhojas returned to Dvārakā after the marriage 5. 7. 1;

(23) Saṁjaya advised Yudhiṣṭhira that it was more beneficial for him to live by begging in the kingdom of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas than get back the kingdom by resorting to war (bhaikṣyacaryāṁ andhakavṛṣṇirājye śreyo manye na tu yuddhena rājyam) 5. 27. 2;

(24) Andhakas, Vārṣṇeyas and Bhojas followed the advice of Kṛṣṇa and therefore they could restrain the enemies and delight their friends (andhakāś ca vārṣṇeyabhojāḥ); Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, led by Kṛṣṇa, were like Indra (kṛṣṇapraṇītāḥ sarva evendrakalpāḥ) 5. 28. 11-12;

(25) The son of Ugrasena (Kaṁsa) once shone amongst Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (vṛṣṇyandhakānāṁ madhyagataṁ tapantam) 5. 47. 72;

(26) Once Nārada advised Vṛṣṇis that they should do their duty (tasmāt karmaiva kartavyam iti hovāca nāradaḥ/…vṛṣṇicakrasya) 5. 48. 22 (Nī., however, on Bom. Ed. 5. 49. 22: karma yuddhaṁ kartavyaṁ tayor (i. e. kṛṣṇārjunayoḥ) iti śeṣaḥ/ācaṣṭa ākhyātavān nārada eva);

(27) Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas could not be subjugated by Jarāsandha either due to the policy adopted by them or due to sheer luck (nayenāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ/te na tasya vaśaṁ jagmuḥ kevalaṁ daivam eva vā) 5. 50. 39;

(28) Kṛṣṇa protected Vṛṣṇis in all calamities (sarvāsv āpatsu) 5. 70. 4;

(29) According to Duryodhana if Kṛṣṇa was arrested Vṛṣṇis would be under his control (tasmin baddhe bhaviṣyanti vṛṣṇayaḥ…vidheyā me) 5. 86. 14;

(30) When Kṛṣṇa mounted the chariot to go to the Sabhā of Kauravas he was protected by Vṛṣṇis whose great chariot-fighters followed him (pṛṣṭhato 'nuyayuḥ); when he entered the Sabhā they walked behind him (āsan kṛṣṇasya pṛṣṭhataḥ) 5. 92. 14, 17, 33;

(31) All Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis lived happily together when the Yādavas abandoned Kaṁsa in the interest of the family (saṁbhūya sukhaṁ edhante) 5. 126. 39;

(32) Kṛṣṇa told Duryodhana that he was not alone in the Sabhā; Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis were with him; and when he laughed to show the great miracle (mahad āścaryaṁ 5. 129. 14) Vṛṣṇis and others, ready with weapons (samudyatamahāyudhāḥ), were there in front of him 5. 129. 3, 8-9;

(33) Kṛṣṇa asked Karṇa to recognize Vṛṣṇis who were his kin from the mother's side (viz. Kuntī) (mātṛpakṣe ca vṛṣṇayaḥ/dvau pakṣāv abhijānīhi); in that case Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis would follow him 5. 138. 10, 13, 23;

(34) Yudhiṣṭhira settled down in his camp at Kurukṣetra along with Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣnibhiś caiva …vṛtam) 5. 150. 2;

(35) Balarāma came to Pāṇḍavas along with Vṛṣṇi chiefs (vṛṣṇimukhyair abhigataiḥ) 5. 154. 17; but he decided not to take part in the war from any side and left for pilgrimage along with Vṛṣṇis 9. 34. 1, 5, 12; (cf. 5. 154. 34);

(36) Before the start of the war in the camp of Kauravas, Bṛhadbala along with the great warriors of Andhakas, Vṛṣṇis and Bhojas stood guard on the right side of the army (balaṁ tvadīyaṁ dakṣiṇato 'bhipāti) 6. 20. 14;

(37) On the ninth day of the war, at night, Pāṇḍavas sat down to take counsel with Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇibhiḥ saha/…mantrāya samupāviśan) 6. 103. 10;

(38) In the estimate of Vṛṣṇis, Cekitāna was a match for a hundred warriors in battle (śatād viśiṣṭaṁ yaṁ yuddhe samapaśyanta vṛṣṇayaḥ) 7. 9. 50;

(39) Droṇa, in order to encourage Jayadratha said that, after all, Vṛṣṇis and the rest were not eternal and that some day they (and by turn they all) were going to die (vṛṣṇayo 'nye ca mānavāḥ/…adhruvā …/…paryāyeṇa vayaṁ sarve…paralokaṁ gamiṣyāmaḥ) 7. 52. 30-31;

(40) Subhadrā wondered who could have killed Abhimanyu when Vṛṣṇi heroes were there to protect him; she pitied the heroism of Vṛṣṇi warriors (nātheṣu…vṛṣṇivīreṣu; dhig vīryaṁ vṛṣṇivīrāṇām) 7. 55. 9, 12;

(41) On the fourteenth day, Saṁjaya told Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Pāṇḍavas, Vṛṣṇis and others would blame him for the confusion in his mind (te buddhivyabhīcāram upalapsyanti) 7. 62. 7; the same day, Yudhiṣṭhira remembered that Arjuna, to praise Sātyaki, had told him in Dvaitavana that he would need Sātyaki's help even though Vṛṣṇis, led by Kṛṣṇa, were ready to help him 7. 85. 54, 58-60; Bhūriśravas wondered how Arjuna could look upon Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas who, by very nature were despicable, as authority (while deciding what was proper or improper in war) (prakṛtyaiva vigarhitāḥ/vṛṣṇyandhakāḥ kathaṁ pārtha pramāṇaṁ bhavatā kṛtāḥ//) 7. 118. 15;

(42) During the night war (14th-15th day), Karṇa assured Duryodhana that he would defeat Vṛṣṇis and the rest 7. 133. 11; after the death of Droṇa, Sātyaki told Dhṛṣṭadyumna that he deserved to be expelled (from the war) by Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis since he did a vile act and yet praised himself (yāpyas tvam asi…sarvaiś cāpyandhakavṛṣṇibhiḥ) 7. 169. 11;

(43) Sahadeva told Sātyaki that just as Pāṇḍavas had no friends other than Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, they too had no friends other than Pāṇḍavas 7. 169. 48-49; Pāñcālas too had no friends better than Pāṇḍavas and Vṛṣṇis 7. 169. 50;

(44) On the fifteenth day, when the Pāṇḍava army was being burnt by the Nārāyaṇāstra, Yudhiṣṭhira advised Sātyaki to leave the battle-field along with Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas 7. 170. 26;

(45) On the seventeenth day, at night (niśi 8. 1. 25), Dhṛtarāṣṭra while lamenting the death of Karṇa, told Saṁjaya that Karṇa, depending on the strength of his arms, never thought highly of Vṛṣṇis (nāmanyata vai nityam…na vṛṣṇīn api… svabāhubalam āśritaḥ//) 8. 5. 15;

(46) After the fall of Duryodhana, when Balarāma, in anger, left for Dvārakā, Pāñcālas and Vārṣṇeyas were disheartened (pāñcālāś ca savārṣṇeyāḥ…nātipramanaso 'bhavan) 9. 59. 27;

(47) Kṛṣṇa narrated to Yudhiṣṭhira that Aśvatthāman had once come to Dvārakā where he was highly honoured by Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇibhiḥ paramārcitaḥ) 10. 12. 11; Kṛṣṇa told Aśvatthāman that he was never before requested to part with his cakra by any one of the great warriors among Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (as Aśvatthāman did) 10. 12. 33;

(48) Kṛṣṇa told Gāndhārī that there was no one else except himself who could extirpate the clan of Vṛṣṇis (saṁhartā vṛṣṇicakrasya) 11. 25. 44;

(49) While repenting the loss of life in war, Yudhiṣṭhira said to Arjuna that if Pāṇḍavas, instead of waging war, had chosen to beg in the town of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas they would not have killed the males in the army of their kinsmen and would not have met with the misfortune (yad bhaikṣam ācariṣyāma vṛṣṇyandhakapure vayam/ jñātīn niṣpuruṣān kṛtvā nemāṁ prāpsyāma durgatin) 12. 7. 3;

(50) Yudhiṣṭhira while addressing Vyāsa pitied the plight of war widows who would curse Pāṇḍavas along with Vṛṣṇis 12. 33. 8;

(51) Kṛṣṇa told Arjuna that a very long time had elapsed since he was with Baladeva and other Vṛṣṇi chiefs in Dvārakā (vṛṣṇipuṁgavān) and he would therefore like to return to Dvārakā 14. 15. 20; Arjuna assured him that he would soon meet them; Yudhiṣṭhira requested Kṛṣṇa to return to Hāstinapura for the Aśvamedha after meeting Vṛṣṇis 14. 51. 23, 46;

(52) When Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā, Vṛṣṇi heroes were celebrating the festival of the Raivataka mountain (vihāro vṛṣṇivīrāṇām mahe raivatakasya ha) 14. 58. 13; Bhojas, Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis received Kṛṣṇa on the Raivataka; Kṛṣṇa honoured them and enquired about the welfare of Vṛṣṇis who sat around him (sa tān abhyarcya medhāvī pṛṣṭvā ca kuśalaṁ tadā) 14. 58. 17-19;

(53) On hearing the war account from Kṛṣṇa, Vṛṣṇis experienced the feelings of grief, pain, as well as delight (duḥkhaharṣaparikleśā vṛṣṇīnām abhavaṁs tadā) 14. 59. 36;

(54) Kṛṣṇa, along with Vṛṣṇis, went to Hāstinapura for the horse sacrifice; when Vṛṣṇi heroes lived there, Parikṣit was born, Abhimanyu had told Uttarā that her son would learn from Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas the science of archery, the different astras, and the entire science of morals (gatvā vṛṣṇyandhakakulaṁ dhanurvedaṁ grahīṣyati/astrāṇi ca vicitrāṇi nītiśāstraṁ ca kevalam//) 14. 65. 1, 8, 24;

(55) When Parikṣit was restored to life by Kṛṣṇa, Vṛṣṇi chiefs (vṛṣṇiśārdūlāḥ) gave Uttarā many jewels as gift; when Pāṇḍavas arrived at the place where Parikṣit was born, Vṛṣṇi chiefs (vṛṣṇipuṁgavāḥ) came out to welcome them (14. 69. 8-9, 13); Pāṇḍavas, along with Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇibhiḥ saha), entered Hāstinapura; when Vyāsa arrived, Kuru chiefs (Pāṇḍavas) sat near him along with Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes (saha vṛṣṇyandhakavyāghraiḥ) 14. 70. 2, 11;

(56) The Aśvamedha horse went to Dvāravatī which was protected by Vṛṣṇi heroes (vṛṣṇivīra-) 14. 84. 13; when the horse sacrifice was in progress, Kṛṣṇa, with Vṛṣṇis reached Hāstinapura 14. 88. 4;

(57) Yudhiṣṭhira told Kuntī that only the Vṛṣṇi circle (vṛṣṇicakram) had survived the war due to the favour of Kṛṣṇa 15. 44. 34;

(58) Janamejaya asked Vaiśaṁpāyana how were Andhakas, Vṛṣṇis and Bhojas destroyed in the presence of Vāsudeva and who pronounced the curse on them due to which they perished 16. 2. 1, 3; Vaiśaṁpāyana then told him that thirtysix years (after the coronation of Yudhiṣṭhira) Vṛṣṇis misbehaved and, as dictated by Kāla, they killed each other with pestle; the sages (Viśvāmitra, Kaṇva and Nārada) pronounced a curse to the effect that Sāmba would give birth to an iron pestle for the destruction of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (vṛṣṇyandhakavināśāya); that pesttle would wipe out the Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas who were illbehaved, cruel and naughty, and the entire race except Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa (yena yūyaṁ sudurvṛttā nṛśaṁsā jātamanyavaḥ/ucchettāraḥ kulaṁ kṛtsnam ṛte rāmajanārdanau); when Kṛṣṇa heard what had happened, he told Vṛṣṇis that the curse would prove true (bhavitavyaṁ tathā) 16. 2. 2, 8-9, 13; the next day Sāmba gave birth to a pestle for the destruction of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; when the matter was reported to Ugrasena he prohibited fermentation of liquor in all the houses of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (adyaprabhṛti sarveṣu vṛṣṇyandhakagṛheṣv iha/surāsavo na kartavyaḥ sarvair nagaravāsibhiḥ//) 16. 2. 15, 18;

(59) When Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas were trying to protect themselves, Kāla constantly visited their houses; a certain bald, fierce man surveyed their houses and disappeared; day after day strong winds blew to foretell the destruction of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; day and night, sārikās produced shrill, unceasing sounds in the houses of Vṛṣṇis; pale pigeons with red feet, inspired by Kāla, moved in the houses of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas; there occurred many other bad omens; asses with shrill voices responded to the sound produced by Pāñcajanya (evaṁ prayatamānānāṁ vṛṣṇīnām andhakaiḥ saha/kālo gṛhāṇi sarveṣāṁ paricakrāma nityaśaḥ; pāṇḍurā raktapādāś ca vihagāḥ kālacoditāḥ/vṛṣṇyandhakānāṁ geheṣu kapotā vyacaraṁs tadā; nadantaṁ pāñcajanyaṁ ca vṛṣṇyandhakaniveśane/samantāt pratyavāśyanta rāsabhā dāruṇasvarāḥ//) 16. 3. 1-7, 10-15; Vṛṣṇis, except Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, were not ashamed to commit sins; the rest hated Brāhmaṇas, fore-fathers and gods, disrespected elders in general; women and men transgressed rules of morality (patnyaḥ patīn vyuccaranta patnīś ca patayas tathā) 16. 3. 8-9;

(60) Vṛṣṇi women dreamt at night that a black woman with white teeth, laughing, ran around Dvārakā robbing them and men dreamt that fierce demons deprived them of their ornaments, chatras flag-staffs and armours; the cakra given to Kṛṣṇa by Agni rose up to the sky within the sight of Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇīnāṁ paśyatām); the four horses took the chariot upwards and the Apsarases took away, day and night, the flag-staffs of Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa and asked Vṛṣṇis to proceed on a tīrthayātrā 16. 4. 1-5;

(61) The great Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes desired to go for a tīrthayātrā along with their women; they took with them eatables (meat) and drinks (liquors) of different kinds and set out of the city 16. 4. 6-8;

(62) Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka heroes, overpowered by Kāla, saw Uddhava deserting them; Kṛṣṇa knew the iminent destruction of Vṛṣṇis and hence he did not object to Uddhava's leaving Vṛṣṇis (kālaparītās te vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathāḥ) 16. 4. 11-12;

(63) Goaded by Kāla, Andhakas, Bhojas, Śaineyas and Vṛṣṇis struck one another with the darbhas turned into pestles 16. 4. 36 (cf. 16. 4. 34-35);

(64) Brooding over the destruction of Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, Kṛṣṇa thought it was time for him to depart (sa cintayāno 'ndhakavṛṣṇināśam…mene tataḥ saṁkramaṇasya kālam) 16. 5. 18;

(65) Dāruka went to Kurus (i. e. Pāṇḍavas) and reported to them the mutual killings of Vṛṣṇis with pestles (ācaṣṭa mausale vṛṣṇīn anyonyenopasaṁhṛtān) 16. 6. 1;

(66) Yudhiṣṭhira heard the destruction of the Vṛṣṇi clan (śuśrāva vṛṣṇicakrasya mausale kadanaṁ kṛtam) 16. 1. 7; Pāṇḍavas grieved to hear the destruction of Vṛṣṇis (Vārṣṇeyas) due to their attacking one another (parasparaṁ samāsādya… vṛṣṇīn vinaṣṭāṁś…) 16. 1. 9; (vinaṣṭān vārṣṇeyān sabhojakukurāndhakān) 16. 6. 2;

(67) Arjuna saw Dvārakā in the form of a river which was once full of water in the form of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas but now bereft of Vṛṣṇi chiefs (tāṁ sa vṛṣṇyandhakajalām…dvārakāsaritaṁ…vihīnāṁ vṛṣṇipuṁgavaiḥ) 16. 6. 8, 10-11;

(68) Kṛṣṇa had asked Vasudeva to inform Arjuna on his arrival at Dvārakā about the calamity that overtook Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇīnāṁ vaiśasaṁ mahat) 16. 7. 14;

(69) Vasudeva told Arjuna that Vṛṣṇis were destroyed due to the misconduct of Pradyumna and Sātyaki; the two started the destruction of Vṛṣṇis (tayor apanayāt pārtha vṛṣṇayo nidhanaṁ gatāḥ/ …pradyumno yuyudhānaś ca…/…tāv ubhau vṛṣṇināśasya mukham āstām) 16. 7. 5-7;

(70) Arjuna told Vasudeva that he would take with him the women of Vṛṣṇīs as well as their old men and children (vṛṣṇidārāṁs tu bālavṛddhāṁs tathaiva ca); he informed Dāruka that he would like to meet the ministers of Vṛṣṇi heroes (amātyān vṛṣṇivīrāṇām); he assured the gathering assembled in the Sudharmā Hall that he himself would take with him the Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka people to Indraprastha (ahaṁ neṣye vṛṣṇyandhakajanaṁ svayam) 16. 8. 5, 6, 10;

(71) Before departure, young Vṛṣṇi princes, led by Vajra, and the women offered oblations of water to Vasudeva (tato vajrapradhānās te vṛṣṇivīrakumārakāḥ/sarva evodakaṁ cakruḥ striyaś caiva mahātmanaḥ//); then Arjuna went to the place where Vṛṣṇis were destroyed; he was grieved to see them dead and did whatever was necessary on that occasion (prāptakālaṁ cakāra ca) 16. 8. 27-29;

(72) On the seventh day after the funeral rites of Vasudeva and others, Arjuna started for Indraprastha; Vṛṣṇi women, weeping and grieved, followed him in carriages drawn by horses, bulls, asses and camels (pāṇḍavaḥ/saptame divase prāyād…aśvayuktair rathaiś cāpi gokharoṣṭrayutair api/striyas tā vṛṣṇivīrāṇām…anujagmur…//); he was also followed by the servants of Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, as well as, by horse-riders, charioteers, and those riding elephants along with their foot-guards armed with excellent weapons (kuñjaraiś ca gajārohā yayuḥ…sapādarakṣaiḥ saṁyuktāḥ sottarāyudhikā yayuḥ); citizens, young and old, including sons of Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, all the four castes and their women followed him; sixteen thousand wives of Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) left Dvārakā following Vajra (daśa ṣaṭ ca sahasrāṇivāsude vāvarodhanam); the number of Bhoja, Andhaka, and Vṛṣṇi women who had lost their husbands was extremely large (bahūni ca sahasrāṇi prayutāny arbudāni ca/bhojavṛṣṇyandhakastrīṇāṁ hatanāthāni niryayuḥ//); the large number of prosperous Vṛṣṇi people looked like an ocean (tat sāgarasamaprakhyaṁ vṛṣṇicakraṁ mahardhimat); when those dwellers of Dvārakā left, the city was plunged in waters of ocean; the citizens left in great hurry crying ‘oh! this was our Fate!’ (tūrṇāt tūrṇataram jagmur aho daivam iti bruvan//) 16. 8. 32-41;

(73) While Arjuna was taking Vṛṣṇis and their women with him, in Pañcanada they were attacked by Ābhīras (Dasyus) in order to deprive them of their wealth (abhyadhāvanta vṛṣṇīnāṁ taṁ janaṁ loptrahāriṇaḥ…abhipetur dhanārthaṁ te) 16. 8. 42-48; Vṛṣṇi warriors, riding elephants, horses and chariots, were unable to check the robbers carrying away Vṛṣṇi women; Arjuna tried to protect the large number of women running in different directions (kalatrasya bahutvāt tu saṁpatatsu tatas tataḥ); the excellent women were dragged away in the presence of all warriors; but some went willingly (pramadottamāḥ/samantato 'vakṛṣyanta kāmāc cānyāḥ pravavrajuḥ) 16. 8. 42, 47, 55-57;

(74) Then Arjuna, helped by Vṛṣṇi servants, struck Dasyus with arrows (śaraiḥ pārtho…/jaghāna dasyūn…vṛṣṇibhṛtyaiḥ saha prabhuḥ//); excellent women of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas were abducted by Mlecchas in spite of Arjuna (prekṣatas tv eva pārthasya vṛṣṇyandhakavarastriyaḥ/ jagmur ādāya te mlecchāḥ//); the few women of Vṛṣṇīs who escaped were taken by Arjuna to Kurukṣetra and he settled them there at various places (tataḥ sa śeṣam ādāya kalatrasya mahāmatiḥ/ hṛtabhūyiṣṭharatnasya kurukṣetram avātarat/evaṁ kalatram ānīya vṛṣṇīnāṁ hṛtaśeṣitam/nyaveśayata kauravyas tatra tatra dhanaṁjayaḥ//) 16. 8. 58, 61, 65-66;

(75) Arjuna informed Vyāsa about the destruction of Vṛṣṇi heroes at Prabhāsa caused by the curse of Brāhmaṇas; five hundred thousand brave Bhoja, Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka warriors had killed one another with erakā grass; he also told him that thousands of Vṛṣṇi women were abducted by Ābhīras of Pañcanada in spite of him (hataṁ pañcaśataṁ teṣāṁ sahasraṁ (Nī. on Bom. Ed. 16. 8. 11: pañcaśataṁ sahasraṁ sahasraguṇitaṁ pañcalakṣānīty arthaḥ); vṛṣṇidārāś ca…sahasraśaḥ/ ābhīrair…hṛtāḥ pañcanadālayaiḥ hṛtāḥ) 16. 9. 8-11, 16;

(76) Vyāsa consoled Arjuna by saying that the great warriors of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas were burnt by the curse of Brāhmaṇas and therefore Arjuna should not be grieved over their destruction; what had happened was bound to happen for that was dictated by fate for the magnanimous (Vṛṣṇis) (bhavitavyaṁ tathā tad dhi diṣṭam etan mahātmanām) 16. 9. 25-26;

(77) Arjuna reported to Yudhiṣṭhira exactly what had happened to Vṛṣṇi and Andhaka people (ācaṣṭa tad yathāvṛttam) 16. 9. 38;

(78) Janamejaya asked Vaiśaṁpāyana what the Pāṇḍavas did after hearing about the strife in the family of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (vṛṣṇyandhakakule…āhavam); Vaiśaṁpāyana told him that having heard about the great destruction of Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇīnāṁ kadanaṁ mahat), Yudhiṣṭhira decided to leave the kingdom (to retire to the forest); considering the destruction of Vṛṣṇis and knowing the decision of Yudhiṣṭhira, all his brothers were glad to follow him (harṣo 'bhavac ca sarveṣāṁ bhrātṝṇāṁ gamanaṁ prati/yudhiṣṭhiramataṁ jñātvā vṛṣṇikṣayam avekṣya ca) 17. 1. 1-2, 22;

(79) In heaven, Yudhiṣṭhira was shown great heroes of Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas (vṛṣṇyandhakamahārathān) among the groups of Sādhyas, Vasus and Maruts 18. 4. 14.


F. Several persons referred to by just the family name Vṛṣṇi or Vārṣṇeya, or as their chief or king, or excellent among them, or hero of them, delighter, uplifter of the family, honoured by them, bull, tiger, lion among them, rarely mean among them:


A. Related to or belonging to Vṛṣṇis or Vārṣṇeyas, mostly as vārṣṇeya, occasionally as vṛṣṇi: (i) vārṣṇeya:

(1) Kṛtavarman 9. 16. 69;

(2) Chiefly Kṛṣṇa 1. 194. 15; 1. 210. 7, 15; 1. 214. 19; 1. 215. 2; 2. 2. 7; 2. 18. 21; 2. 19. 12; 2. 30. 18; 2. 33. 27, 30; 2. 34. 1; 2. 35. 10; 2. 42. 28; 3. 23. 20; 3. 180. 39; 3. 187. 52; 5. 5. 11; 5. 7. 8; 5. 76. 15, 20; 5. 78. 8; 5. 82. 11; 5. 84. 21; 5. 85. 10; 5. 87. 15; 5. 88. 3, 27, 37; 5. 89. 7, 11, 36; 5. 122. 5; 5. 128. 6; 5. 135. 7; 5. 139. 1, 15, 29, 54, 56; 5. 141. 6, 9; 5. 151. 1; 5. 155. 12, 14; 6. 23. 41; 6. 25. 36; 6. 46. 3, 12; 6. 48. 12; 6. 55. 62; 6. 77. 33; 6. 80. 44; 6. 103. 21, 46, 50, 55; 6. 108. 31; 7. 10. 34; 7. 58. 33; 7. 59. 11; 7. 67. 24; 7. 68. 17; 7. 70. 1; 7. 122. 26; 7. 123. 29; 7. 124. 7; 7. 153. 4; 7. 157. 21; 7. 158. 32-33; 7. 165. 43; 8. 23. 17; 8. 31. 55; 8. 52. 6; 8. 57. 32; 10. 9. 30; 11. 17. 5, 20; 11. 18. 12; 12. 48. 14; 12. 50. 2; 12. 52. 23; 12. 82. 13; 12. 330. 50; 13. 17. 168; 13. 32. 25; 14. 17. 5; 14. 52. 1, 2; 14. 58. 17; 14. 59. 1; 14. 60. 9; 14. 65. 27; 14. 66. 6; 14. 67. 8, 13;

(3) Cekitāna 6. 80. 20;

(4) Balarāma 5. 155. 36; 10. 9. 27;

(5) Vasudeva 14. 60. 20;

(6) Vārdhakṣemi 7. 24. 49-50;

(7) Viṣṇu (identified with Kṛṣṇa) (vārṣṇeya adj.) 12. 203. 9-10;

(8) Sātyaki 1. 1. 138; 5. 161. 6; 6. 54. 7; 6. 68. 26; 6. 70. 25; 6. 78. 39; 6. 97 46, 54; 6. 100. 30-33; 7. 71. 14, 16; 7. 85. 44, 62, 81, 88; 7. 95. 15, 18; 7. 102. 13; 7. 117. 56; 7. 118 13, 40; 7. 122. 35; 7. 164. 155; 7. 169. 50; 9. 16. 69;

(9) Nala's charioteer 3. 57. 9-11, 19; 3. 58. 1; 3. 64. 8; 3. 69. 20, 23, 32-33; 3. 70. 4, 13, 15; 3. 71. 17, 28, 30; 3. 72. 11, 13; (ii) vārṣṇeyī (f.):

(1) Kuntī 5. 142. 29; 14. 60. 38;

(2) Subhadrā 1. 211. 19; 7. 50. 25; 7. 54. 12; 12. 1. 16; 14. 60. 31; (iii) vṛṣṇi:

(1) Kṛtavarman 8. 38. 32;

(2) Sātyaki 7. 93. 33; 7. 145. 55;


B. Chief, king or excellent among Vṛṣṇis or their important hero: (i) vṛṣṇinātha: Kṛṣṇa 6. 55. 95; (ii) vṛṣṇipati:

(1) Ugrasena (vṛṣṇiº ºpati) 14. 84. 15;

(2) Kṛṣṇa 5. 61. 12; (vṛṣṇiº ºpati) 14. 88. 13; (iii) vṛṣṇipravara:

(1) Kṛtavarman (vṛṣṇināṁ pravara-) 7. 140. 34;

(2) Kṛṣṇa 3. 118. 18 (sarvaº); 8. 45. 65;

(3) Balarāma 3. 118. 18 (sarvaº); 9. 38. 21; 9. 47. 61;

(4) Sātyaki 7. 117. 59 (vṛṣṇivīrāṇāṁ pravara-); (iv) vṛṣṇimahāmātra: Unspecified Vṛṣṇis 1. 213. 23; (v) vṛṣṇīnāṁ mukhya-: Kṛṣṇa 5. 56. 2; (vi) vṛṣṇīnāṁ rājan-: Ugrasena 1. 211. 8; (vii) vṛṣṇivara: Sātyaki 6. 59. 27; 7. 85. 14; 7. 115. 20; (viii) vṛṣṇīnāṁ vāsudevo 'smi: Kṛṣṇa 6. 32. 37; (ix) vṛṣṇikulaśreṣṭha: Kṛṣṇa 3. 23. 24; (x) vṛṣṇiśreṣṭha: Kṛṣṇa 5. 69. 4; (xi) vṛṣṇyandhakaº ºuttama: Kṛṣṇa 7. 79. 1;


C. Protector, upbringer of Vṛṣṇis; (i) prākāraḥ sarvavṛṣṇīnām: Kṛṣṇa 2. 30. 12; vṛṣṇivaṁśasya bhartā goptā ca: Kṛṣṇa 5. 84. 3;


D. Hero, excellent hero, great chariotfighter of Vṛṣṇis: (i) vṛṣṇipravīra:

(1) Kṛṣṇa 1. 183. 2; (vṛṣṇīnāṁ pravaraṁ vīram) 7. 9. 33; 7. 102. 59; 14. 68. 6; 16. 8. 2;

(2) Pradyumna 3. 18. 11;

(3) Sātyaki 7. 73. 1; 7. 115. 8; 7. 117. 50; young ones (not specified) vṛṣṇipravīrān bālān 3. 15. 7; (ii) vṛṣṇivīra:

(1) Kṛṣṇa 1. 1. 103; 5 22. 31 (Viṣṇu); 7. 10. 30; 7. 78. 35; 8. 12. 69; 8. 66. 51; 14. 61. 14;

(2) Balarāma 1. 1. 103;

(3) Sātyaki 5. 49. 36; 7. 91. 31; 7. 99. 18; 7. 102. 15;

(4) Gada, Sāmba and others (pl.) 7. 10. 2729; (iii) Great chariot-fighter of Vṛṣṇis or Vārṣṇeyas, honoured by Vṛṣṇis, leader of their army: (a) Great chariotfighter: (i) vṛṣṇipravīrāṇāṁ atiratha-:

(1) Pradyumna 7. 85. 90; 16. 7. 6;

(2) Sātyaki 7. 85. 90; 16. 7. 6; (ii) vṛṣṇīnāṁ pravararatha-: Sātyaki 7. 102. 7; 7. 145. 36; 8. 69. 36; (iii) vārṣṇeyānāṁ mahāratha-: Sātyaki 6. 107. 14; (iv) vṛṣṇiº mahāratha-:

(1) Kṛtavarman 9. 20. 12;

(2) Pradyumna (vṛṣṇīnāṁ khyātau mahārathau) 7. 131. 4;

(3) Sātyaki 9. 20. 12; (vṛṣṇīnāṁ khyātau mahārathau) 7. 131. 4; (b) Hero, honoured by Vṛṣṇis (vṛṣṇīnāṁ saṁmato vīraḥ): Kṛtavarman 5. 129. 23; (c) Commander of Vṛṣṇi heroes (vṛṣṇivīrāṇāṁ senāpatiḥ): Akrūra 1. 213. 25; (d) Intolerant among prominent Vṛṣṇi heroes (vṛṣṇipravīrāṇām amarṣī): Sātyaki 5. 167. 4;


E. Delighter or leader or bringer of fame to Vṛṣṇis: (a) Delighter (vṛṣṇinandana):

(1) Kṛṣṇa 3. 15. 1; 3. 22. 13; 5. 74. 5;

(2) Pradyumana (?) 2. 4. 29;

(3) Sātyaki (?) 2. 4. 29;

(4) Sāmba (?) 2. 4. 29;

(5) Kumaras (not named) 2. 4. 29; 3. 17. 8; (b) Leader (vṛṣṇikulodvaha):

(1) Kṛṣṇa 2. 14. 4; 14. 11. 3; 14. 51. 6;

(2) Sātyaki 1. 61. 73;

(3) Sāmba 3. 17. 18; (c) Bringer of fame: (a) vṛṣṇiyaśaskara:

(1) Abhimanyu 8. 51. 69;

(2) Sātyaki 7. 117. 25, 28; 7. 137. 10; (b) vṛṣṇīnāṁ kīrtivardhanaḥ: Sātyaki 7. 164. 158;


F. Bull or lion or tiger among Vṛṣṇis (or Vārṣṇeyas): (a) Bull among Vṛṣṇis: (i) vṛṣṇīnām ṛṣabha-:

(1) Kṛṣṇa (not directly mentioned) 3. 34. 85; 5. 91. 22; 10. 12. 38;

(2) Sātyaki 7. 91. 50; (ii) vārṣṇeyaº ºpuṁgava: Kṛṣṇa 14. 51. 36; young ones (not specified); bālakaiḥ vṛṣṇipuṁgavaiḥ 3. 15. 6; (iii) vṛṣṇipuṁgava:

(1) Kṛṣṇa 14. 52. 11;

(2) Sātyaki 7. 95. 1; (b) Tiger among Vṛṣṇis: vṛṣṇiº ºvyāghra: Sātyaki 7. 117. 47, 55; (c) Tiger or lion among Vṛṣṇis: vṛṣṇiśārdūla:

(1) Kṛṣṇa 3. 187. 54; 3. 188. 8; 4. 67. 24; 7. 148. 29; 11. 16. 42; 13. 32. 8, 32; 14. 66. 13; 14. 89. 9;

(2) Sātyaki 7. 96. 32; (d) Lion among Vṛṣṇis: vṛṣṇisiṁha:

(1) Kṛtavarman 9. 16. 71; 9. 20. 14;

(2) Kṛṣṇa 2. 37. 8; 5. 22. 30; 5. 47. 39, 44, 94; 7. 114. 80;

(3) Sātyaki 9. 16. 71; 9. 20. 14.


G. Honoured by Vṛṣṇis: (a) vṛṣṇīnām arcitaḥ: Uddhava 2. 46. 11; (b) saṁmato ºvṛṣṇiṣu: Sātyaki 5. 63. 7.


H. Born in the family of Vṛṣṇis: vṛṣṇīnāṁ kule jātā: Kuntī 3. 287. 23.


I. Teacher of Vṛṣṇi heroes: ācāryo vṛṣṇivīrāṇām: Droṇa 4. 64. 15.


J. Rarely, lowest or defiler of the Vṛṣṇis: (a) vṛṣṇikulādhama:

(1) Kṛṣṇa (so called by Śālva) 3. 15. 8;

(2) Sātyaki (so called by Dhṛṣṭadyumna after the death of Droṇa) 7. 169. 31; (b) vṛṣṇipāṁsana: Sātyaki (so called by Somadatta after the death of his son Bhūriśravas) 7. 131. 7.


K. Dvārakā referred to as a town of Vṛṣṇis: vṛṣṇiº ºpura 3. 16. 19; 12. 7. 3; vṛṣṇipura 3. 180. 25. [See Andhaka, Daśārha, Bhoja, Madhu, Yādava, Vāsudeva, Sātvat ]


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Vedic Rituals Hindi

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

वृष्णि पु.
मेढ़, मा.श्रौ.सू. 6.1.3.1 (चयन)।