Story of Pūru

A celebrated king of Candravaṃśa.

Genealogy.

Descending in order from Viṣṇu are Brahmā-Atri—Candra—Budha—Purūravas—Āyus—Nahuṣa—Yayāti—Pūru.

Yayāti had two wives named Śarmiṣṭhā and Devayānī. Śarmiṣṭhā gave birth to Druhyu, Anu and Pūru. Devayānī gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu.

Pūru becomes king.

Yayāti, Pūru’s father, was turned into an old man by a curse of Śukrācārya. The king called all his sons to his side and requested each to take his old age and give him their youth. All the elder sons refused to do it but Pūru agreed to do so. Taking the youth of Pūru, his father, Yayāti lived a sensuous life for a thousand years. Then the king gave back Pūru his youth and crowned him as the heir apparent to his kingdom. (See under Devayānī).

Other details.

(i) Pūru got of his wife Kausalyā alias Pauṣṭī three sons named Janamejaya (Pravīra), Īśvara and Raudrāśva. (Chapter 94, Ādi Parva).

(ii) After his death Pūru entered the court of Yama. Śloka 8, Chapter 8, Sabhā Parva).

(iii) Pūru along with Indra in the latter’s Vimāṇa witnessed the war between Arjuna and the Kauravas. (Śloka 10, Chapter 56, Virāṭa Parva).

(iv) A king called Māndhātā once defeated Pūru in a battle. (Śloka 10, Chapter 62, Droṇa Parva).