Ugrasena became king of Mathurāpurī. His Kingship was not a hereditary acquisition. There is a story behind it. In olden days, in the plateau of Kālindī there was a famous place called Madhuvana. The place was called so because it was the abode of an Asura named Madhu. Madhu had a son, Lavaṇa. Śatrughna killed him as he was a very troublesome fellow and a thorn on the side of the Devas. Śatrughna then established a beautiful kingdom there and ruled it. He named it Mathurā. After the death of Śatrughna his two sons ruled Mathurā. Then, when the Solar dynasty came to its end, Mathurā came under the Yādavas. A Yādava king called Śūrasena ruled over the kingdom. Vasudeva, father of Śrī Kṛṣṇa was the son of Śūrasena. After the death of his father Vasudeva took up the profession of herding cows, and therefore Ugrasena, another king of the Yādava dynasty had to become king of Mathurā. (Devī Bhāgavata, 4th Skandha).
There is a common belief that Kaṃsa was the son of Ugrasena. But, the Bhāgavata relates the following to the effect that Kaṃsa was born to a Gandharva called Dramila of Ugrasena’s wife.
When once Ugrasena’s wife was in her monthly periods, she walked in the forest with her companions. A Gandharva called Dramila saw her then, felt attracted by her and made her pregnant. Angered at this, she cursed Dramila thus: “Since you have procreated a son in me, while I am in my periods this son will be killed by a boy born in my husband’s family.” Kaṃsa was the son born to her in the above manner. Kaṃsa ascended the throne after putting Ugrasena in prison. According to the curse of Ugrasena’s wife, Śrī Kṛṣṇa was born in Ugrasena’s family and he killed Kaṃsa. Nārada had informed Kaṃsa of the Dramila interlude told this story secretly to Akrūra when the latter was deputed by him to invite Kṛṣṇa to the dhanur yajña. (Bhāgavata, 10th Skandha).
The name Āhuka.
Genealogy states that Ugrasena was the son of Āhuka. But, in certain contexts Ugrasena is called Āhuka also. “Afterwards we made Āhuka-Ugrasena King…” (Mahābhārata Udyoga Parva, Chapter 128, Verse 39).
Ugrasena imprisoned.
Vasudeva, father of Śrī Kṛṣṇa was Ugrasena’s minister. Kaṃsa, when he attained majority imprisoned Ugrasena and became himself king. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Chapter 22).
Ugrasena regained kingdom.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa killed Kaṃsa with the permission of Ugrasena and made him king again.
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