Kushanabha () is a king featured in

Hindu texts Hindu texts or Hindu scriptures are manuscripts and voluminous historical literature which are related to any of the diverse traditions within Hinduism. Some of the major Hindus, Hindu texts include the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Itihasa. ...

. He is described to be the king of the

Amavasu dynasty The Amavasu dynasty () refers to a cadet branch of the Lunar dynasty ( Chandravamsha) featured in Hindu literature. This dynasty is named after Amavasu, the youngest son of Pururavas, the first monarch of the Lunar dynasty, and the apsara Urva ...

and belongs to the

Chandravamsha The Lunar dynasty (IAST: Candravaṃśa) is a legendary principal house of the Kshatriyas varna, or warrior–ruling varna (Social Class) mentioned in the ancient Indian texts. This legendary dynasty was said to be descended from moon-related ...

line. He is stated to be the son of Kusha. Kushanabha is believed to be the founder of the city Mahodaya (Regarded to be present-day

Kannauj Kannauj (Hindustani language, Hindustani pronunciation: ) is an ancient city, administrative headquarters and a municipal board or Nagar palika, Nagar Palika Parishad in Kannauj district in the Indian States and territories of India, state of Ut ...

Legend

Marriage

Gritachi was an accomplished dancer. Kushanabha was infatuated with her after seeing her dance. He married her and had 100 daughters with her. 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

Kushanabha had 100 daughters but no male successor to his throne. So, he started worshipping the deity

Indra Indra (; ) is the Hindu god of weather, considered the king of the Deva (Hinduism), Devas and Svarga in Hinduism. He is associated with the sky, lightning, weather, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, and war. volumes Indra is the m ...

and performed austerities wishing to have a son like

. At last,

consented and became his son, by incarnation, being born as Gadhi.

References

Characters in the Ramayana Mahabharata {{DEFAULTSORT:Kushanabha