Samba is the son of the Hindu deity, Vasudeva-Krishna and Jambavati. Pradyumna was his half brother. The Yadu dynasty came to an end by the anger and actions of Samba. Samba was amongst the five Vrishni heroes besides Aniruddha, Pradyumna, Krishna and Balarama who were worshipped during the 1st century BC. A Mora Well Inscription at Mathura, near Mora has mention about Samba’s worship. The inscription is now seen in the Mathura Museum on a Mora Stone Slab.
As per the Devi Bhagavata Purana and the Mahabharata, Jambvati was not able to bear children for Krishna unlike his other wives who bore many children. In the effort she approached Krishna so that she is blessed with a handsome son like Pradyumna who was the first born son of Krishna. Krishna went to the Himalayas to meet Sage Upamanyu, prayed to Lord Shiva on the Sage’s advice and did penance in different postures for six months. Shiva was so happy with the austerities that he appeard as (Ardhanarishvara) before Krishna and granted him a boon. Instantly Krishna asked for a son from his wife Jambavati and soon a son in the form of Shiva (Samba) was born. Naughty and notorious like his father Krishna, Samba learnt all the leelas, became notorious and destroyed the Yadu dynasty.
On growing up Samba forcefully abducted Laxmana, the daughter of Duryodhana, in a swayamvara. The Kurus captured Samba but his uncle Balarama fought the Kurus, smashed their palace and bailed him out. When Duryodhana apologized to the angry Kurus, they felt pacified and set Samba free. The affectionate Duryodhana agreed to get Samba married to his daughter Laxman Kumara in great pomp and show.
