Yādavas
Yādava
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The Yādavas, also called the Yadus, are the clan of Yadu, the son of Yayāti. Their line is the Yadu-vaṃśa, praised by kings, in which Nārāyaṇa descended as Śrī Kṛshṇa, the increaser of the Vṛshṇi clan. The Brahma Purāṇa gives their branches, the Haihayas, the Vṛshṇis, the Andhakas, the Kukuras and the Bhojas, and tells of them in the account of the Syamantaka gem.
Their name
At the close of the account of Yayāti, the teller of the Purāṇa says: “Hear! I will glorify the Yadu-vaṃśa, praised by kings, in which Nārāyaṇa, increaser of the Vṛshṇi clan, descended as Śrī Kṛshṇa.”
Sūta then tells the munis the line of Yadu through the Haihayas and Kārtavīryārjuna. “Vipras, the Yādavas beginning with Vṛsha were devoted to puṇya (meritorious) conduct.” After Yadu, the Haihayas too came to be called Yādavas.
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Chapters 12–13
From Mathurā to Dvārakā
When Kālayavana, told of the Vṛshṇi and Andhaka clans by Nārada, marched on Mathurā with an army of an akshauhiṇī, the Vṛshṇis and Andhakas placed Śrī Kṛshṇa of great mind at their head and went into council. Honouring the intention of Bhagavān Śiva, who holds the Pināka bow, they resolved to leave Mathurā and settle in Kuśasthalī, Dvārakā.
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 14
In the Syamantaka account
When Prasena was killed while hunting and the Syamantaka gem was lost, Śrī Kṛshṇa went into the forest to bring it back. He followed the footprints to the den of Jāmbavant, and at its mouth Bhagavān Kṛshṇa placed the Yadus with Balarāma, telling them, “Stay here.” He took up the Śārṅga bow and went in. After he had entered the den, Balarāma and the others went back to Dvāravatī. Śrī Kṛshṇa overcame Jāmbavant, brought back the gem, and gave it to Satrājit in the assembly of all the Sātvatas.
Later, when the gem had come to Akrūra, Śrī Kṛshṇa perceived it by his yoga-śakti and asked for it in the midst of the assembly. At his word Akrūra brought the gem before the whole assembly of the Yādavas and, being wise, gave it to Hari without ill-feeling. Śrī Kṛshṇa took it, rejoiced, and gave it back to Akrūra, who, wearing the Syamantaka, shone like the Sun.
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Chapters 16–17
Sources
- Brahma Purāṇa, Chapters 12–14, 16–17