Krishna’s grandson.

Antecedents: Vishnu – Brahma – Atri – Chandra – Budha – Pururavas – Aayus – Nahusha – Yayati – Yadu (as per Agnipurana, Chapter 12) Yadu -Sahasrajit – Shathajit – Hehaya – Dharma – Kunti – Bhadrasena – Dhanaka – Kritavirya – Kartaviryarjuna – Jayadhwaja – Talajankha – Veetihotra – Anantha – Durjayal – Yudhajit – Shini – Satyaka – Satyaki – jaya – Kuni – Anamitra – Prishni – Chitraratha – Viduratha – Shura – Shini – Bhoja – Hridika – Shurasena – Vasudeva – Krishna – Pradyumna – Anirudha.

Krishna had 16008 wives. Pradyumna was born to him and Rukmini, and Anirudha was born to Pradyumna and Mayavati.

Banasura was the eldest of Mahabali’s hundred sons. Bana had a thousand arms. He once underwent severe penance to please Shiva and asked for a boon when Shiva appeared. He asked Shiva and Parvati to be his gatekeepers. Shiva was forced to grant it. Bana became arrogant and soon, even challenged Shiva. Shiva predicted that soon Bana’s flagpole would collapse and then, a person would arrive to defeat Bana.

Once Bana’s daughter saw Shiva and Parvati in one of their intimate moments. She was unmarried and desired a lover of her own. She conveyed this to Parvati. Parvati told her that within three days she would dream of a prince and that he would be the one for her. On the third day Usha dreamed of a youth, but woke up crying. Her friend, and the minister’s daughter Chitralekha told her that whoever the youth was, she’d get him to Usha using magic. Chitralekha started drawing the images of all the princes she knew. After drawing all the devas and other important persons, she finally reached the Yaduvanshi kings, and drew Krishna, Pradyumna and Anirudha. Usha identified Anirudha as the prince from her dream. The next night, Chitralekha used magic to transport a sleeping Anirudha from Dwaraka to Usha’s palace. Bana came to know of this affair and imprisoned Anirudha. Meanwhile, all of Dwaraka was wondering about Anirudha’s disappearance. It was then that Narada reached there and apprised Krishna and Pradyumna of the details. They proceeded to Bana’s kingdom with a huge army. Meanwhile Bana’s flagpole collapsed and he lost the battle. According to Bhagavata Dashamaskanda Chapters 61-63, Anirudha married Usha, took her to Dwaraka and their child was Vajra.

As per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 4, verse 36, Anirudha learned archery from Arjuna. Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapter 65 verses 69-70 compare Anirudha to Vishnu and Brahma. Anirudha is also used as another name of Vishnu in Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 149 verse 33.