Yayati - Anu- Sabhanara- Kalanara-Srinjaya- Janamejaya- Mahasila- Mahamanas- Titikshu- Rusadratha- Hema-Sutapas- Bali- Anga (who ruled a city of the same name) - Khanapana- Dviratha- Dharmaratha- Romapada (Also known Chitraratha)- Chaturanga- Prithulaksha- Brihadratha- Brihanmanas- Jayadratha (wife Sambhuti)- Vijaya- Dhriti- Dhritivrata- Satkarma- Adiratha who adopts Karna.
As we can see, Adiratha was a Piece of Anga. He might have been a younger prince and his older brother, Karna’s uncle, ruled Anga. In some texts (Mahadevibhagawata) we find him described as the king of Anga and a very good friend of Dhritarashtra’s. The Vishnu Puran also describes the lineage of Anga kings and includes Adiratha and Karna in it. So does the Vayu Puran.
Whether he was king or prince, one thing is very clear, Adiratha was neither poor nor an employee of Bhishma or Dhritarashtra. He was a royal and Karna grew up in a royal family that had very close ties with Hastinapur, which explains why he had access to the best guru, Drona.
An interesting fact here is that the Romapada who comes in this family line has ties with Raja Dasaratha (Shree Ram’s father). Dasaratha’s daughter Shanta is given to Romapada in adoption.
Next week, join me, MyMBJourney, in learning the two instances when the Ramayana is recounted in the Mahabharatha.
