December 22, 2024

Ugrasena was the king of Mathura kingdom, who belonged to the Kukura clan as per the Vayu Purana. As per the Puranas, Ugrasena was born to Queen Kashya and King Aahuk. In the family lineup, Ugrasenas family became popular as Bhojvansh. Ugrasena had 5 daughters and 9 sons out of which Kansa was his eldest son.

The mighty Vrishni tribes from the Yaduvanshi clan had established the kingdom of Mathura. As per Hindu mythology, Ugrasena was a legendary Yadava king. Ugrasena’s grandson was Lord Krishna. Kamsa overthrew his own father Ugrasena from power. Kamsa, Devaki his sister and Vasudeva her husband were put into prison. Both Vasudeva and Devaki were Krishna’s parents. After Krishna defeated the wicked ruler King Kamsa, he made his grandfather, Ugrasena the king of Mathura again.

When Ugrasena ruled, 2 sages Kanwa and Vishwamitra came to visit Krishna. King Ugrasena, a very pious and religious royal man was a great devotee of Lord Krishna. Krishna’s sons wanted to play some fun with the sages. So the disguised Samba as a pregnant lady and questioned the sages if the new born would be female or male.
The sages could see with their occult vision that the iron rod she would deliver would wipe out the entire Yadava clan. When Samba delivered the iron rod the following day, Ugrasena converted it into powder, threw it into the sea and banned liquor in Mathura. Later he ascended into heaven along with Shalya and his brother Shankha, the Bhurshiravas and Bhuri. Later on, Kamsa too joined the company of deities in heaven.