Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Amshuman included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana’).
Story of Aṃśumān
Name of a King belonging to the Solar dynasty (Sūrya Vaṃśa).
Genealogy.
Aṃśumān was descended from Viṣṇu through Brahmā-Marīci-Kaśyapa-Vivasvān-Vaivasvatamanu-Ikṣvāku-Vikukṣi-Śaśāda-Purañjaya-Kakutstha-Anenas-Pṛthulāśva-Prasenajit-Yuvanāśva-Māndhātā-Purukutsa-Trasadasyu-Anaraṇya-Aryaśvan-Vasumanas-Sudhanvā-Traiyyāruṇa-Satyavrata-Triśaṅku-Hariścandra-Rohitāśva-Harita-Cuñcu-Sudeva-Bharuka-Bāhuka-Sagara-Asamañjas-Aṃśumān.
Birth.
Sagara, a king of the Sūrya vaṃśa, (mentioned above) had two wives, Sumati (Vaidarbhī) and Keśinī (Saibā) by name. Keśinī gave birth to a son named Asamañjas. Aṃśumān was the son of Asamañjas and the father of the famous Bhagīratha. (See under the title, BHAGĪRATHA).
Some other details.
Aṃśumān was one of the Kings who attended the Svayaṃvara of Pāñcālī. (Vide Śloka 11, Chapter 185 of Ādi Parva of the Mahābhārata).