A kshatriya clan who became shudra because of a brahmin curse.

An emperor who ruled from Kanchipuram and gave the kingdom its name. Once he set out to Vaikuntha to see Vishnu, and there worshiped him with flowers and jewels. While he was busy with that, a brahmin from his kingdom Vishnudasa arrived there with water and holy basil. When the brahmin began his prayers with them, Chola’s prayers were overshadowed. Chola accused the brahmin of knowing nothing of Vishnu worship and a verbal duel ensued. They decided to see who would attain salvation first.

The king came back and began a vaishnavasatra with Mulgala as his priest – one as powerful as Brahma’s in Gaya. The brahmin continued his devotion as usual. Once he made some rice for his ritual, but it was stolen. This happened for seven days and he went hungry. The next day, he decided to find out who was stealing it and waited in the shadows. He saw that it was a famished chandala, whom he felt pity for, and offered ghee. But the chandala was frightened on seeing him and fainted. The brahmin began to tend him and the chandala at once transformed into Vishnu and the brahmin was taken to  Vaikuntha. On hearing of this, Chola told Mulgala that all their efforts had been wasted, entrusted his kingdom to his nephew and after praying to Vishnu jumped into the sacrificial fire. Mulgala was angry and cut off his knot of hair. Vishnu appeared in the fire and took Chola to Vaikuntha as per Padmapurana Chapters 110,111.

One of the 3 important kingdoms in southern India in ancient times, with Pandya and Chera. Pandya, Chola and Kerala were present at Rukmini’s swayamwar as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.

Turvasu – Varga – Gobhanu – Traishani – Karandhama – Marutta – Dushyanta – Varudha – Gandira – Keralas, Pandyas, Cholas, as per Agnipurana Chapter 277.

As per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 27 verse 21, Arjuna conquered Cholas. The Chola king presented gifts to Yudhishtira as per Sabhaparva Chapter 52 verse 35. Cholas protected the southern part of Drishtadyumna’s Kraunchavyuha in the Mahabharata as per Bhishmaparva Chapter 9 verse 60. Krishna defeated the Cholas once as per Dronaparva Chapter 11 verse 17.

Shishupala, as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 1 verse 31. Dhrishtaketu, the king of Chedi was also known by the name. He headed the Kraunchavyuha created by Drishtadyumna in the Mahabharata war as per Bhishmaparva Chapter 50 verse 47.

A portion of the Adiparva in Mahabharata

A son born to Kuru and Vahini as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 94 verse 50.

An ancient forest. Here, Yayati frolicked with an apsara named Vishachi as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 75 verse 43. It was here that Pandu retired to with Kunti and Madri as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 118 verse 48. Beneath Meru are Mandara, Merumandara, Suparshwa, Kumuda and below them are Nandana, Chaitraratha, Vaibhrajaka, Sarvatobhadra respectively as per Bhagavata Panchamaskanda Chapter 16.

A mountain near Girivraja, capital of Magadha. It was a place dear to the citizens of Magadha and the followers of Brihadratha even revered it as a god as per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 21.

A Yaduvanshi king.

Antecedents: Vishnu – Brahma- Atri – Chandra – Budha – Pururavas – Ayus – Nahusha – Yayati – Yadu – Kroshta – Vrajinavan – Shwahi – Rusheku – Chitraratha – Shashabindu – Pridhushravas – Dharma – Ruchaka – Jamakha – Vidarbha – Romapada – Bhadru – Krita – Ushika – Chedi. From him starts the Chedi dynasty. His kingdom also came to be known by this name.

The kingdom was once defeated by Uparicharavasu as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 63 verse 2. Nakula’s wife Karenumati was a princess of Chedi as per Adiparva Chapter 95 verse 79. Shishupala used to rule the kingdom and after he was killed , the mantle passed to his son Dhrishtaketu as per Sabhaparva Chapter 45 verse 36. In Nala’s time, it was ruled by Subahu and it was at his palace that Damayanti lived as per Vanaparva Chapter 65 verse 44. Dhrishtaketu broguht an akshauhini for the Pandavas’ help as per Mahabharata Udyogaparva Chapter 19 verse 7. The Chedi warriors were of help to Krishna as per Udyogaparva Chapter 28 verse 11. Chedi was considered an important kingdom as per Bhishmaparva Chapter 9 verse 40.

Also known as Satvata or Varshneya. A Vrishni warrior who fought on the Pandava side and died at Kurukshetra. He was present at Draupadi’s swayamwar as per Mahabharata Udyogaparva Chapter 171 verse 18. When the Pandavas first entered the hall built by Maya, he was with them as per Sabhaparva Chapter 4 verse 27. He gifted Yudhishtira a quiver at the time of the rajasuya as per Sabhaparva Chapter 53 verse 9. He fought Susharma on the first day of the Kurukshetra war as per Bhishmaparva Chapter 45 verse 60. In his fight with Kripa, they both fell unconscious as per Bhishmaparva Chapter 84 verse 31. He fought with Chitrasena as per Bhishmaparva Chapter 110 verse 8. He battled Anuvinda as per Dronaparva Chapter 14 verse 48. He was defeated by Drona as per Dronaparva Chapter 125 verse 68. He was kileld by Duryodhana as per Shalyaparva Chapter 12 verse 31. He was among the souls invoked by Vyasa at the Ganga as per Ashramavasikaparva Chapter 32 verse 12.