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== Origin of the legend == | == Origin of the legend == | ||
The Agrasen legend can be traced to ''Agarwalon ki Utpatti'' ("Origin of the | The Agrasen legend can be traced to ''Agarwalon ki Utpatti'' ("Origin of the Agarawals"), an 1871 essay written by [[Bharatendu Harishchandra]] (1850-1885), a noted Agrawal author and poet. He claimed to have compiled the legend from "tradition" and "ancient writings", especially a text called ''Sri Mahalakshmi Vrat Ki Katha''. He stated that ''Sri Mahalakshmi Vrat Ki Katha'' was contained in the ''[[Bhavishya Purana]]'', which exists in several recensions. However, independent researchers have been unable to find the legend in any version of ''Bhavishya Purana''.{{sfn| Lawrence A. Babb|2004|p=199}} | ||
In 1976, the Agrawal historian Satyaketu Vidyalankar published a copy of the ''Mahalakshmi Vrat Ki Katha'' in his ''Agrwal Jati Ka Prachin Itihas'' ("Ancient History of the Agrawal caste"). He stated that he had found this copy in the personal library of Bharatendu Harishchandra. However, the text does not contain any clue about its origin.{{sfn| Lawrence A. Babb|2004|p=199}} | In 1976, the Agrawal historian Satyaketu Vidyalankar published a copy of the ''Mahalakshmi Vrat Ki Katha'' in his ''Agrwal Jati Ka Prachin Itihas'' ("Ancient History of the Agrawal caste"). He stated that he had found this copy in the personal library of Bharatendu Harishchandra. However, the text does not contain any clue about its origin.{{sfn| Lawrence A. Babb|2004|p=199}} | ||
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He is said to have married 17 naga-kanyas.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/gazetteerbombay00unkngoog#page/n275/mode/2up Bombay Presidency Gazetteer], 1885, pages 262–263</ref> | He is said to have married 17 naga-kanyas.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/gazetteerbombay00unkngoog#page/n275/mode/2up Bombay Presidency Gazetteer], 1885, pages 262–263</ref> | ||
According to Bharatendu Harishchandra's account, Maharaja Agrasen was a [[Suryavansha|Suryavanshi]] [[Kshatriya]] king, born during the last stages of [[Dwapar Yuga]] in the [[Mahabharat]] epic era, he was contemporaneous to Lord Krishna.He was Son of King Vallabha dev who was Descendant of kush(Lord Rama's Son). He was also descendant of Suryavanshi [[King Mandhata]]. [[King Mandhata]] had two sons, Gunadhi and Mohan. Agrasen was the eldest son of the King Vallabh, descendant of Mohan, of Pratapnagar. Agrasen fathered 18 children, from whom the Agrawal [[Gotra|gotras]] came into being. | |||
Agrasen attended the ''[[swayamvara]]'' of Madhavi, the daughter of the King Nagaraj Kumud. However, [[Indra]], the God of Heaven and also the lord of storms and rainfall, wanted to marry Madhavi, but she chose Agrasen as her husband. Because of this, Indra became furious and decided to take revenge by making sure that Pratapnagar do not receive any rain. As a result, a famine struck Agrasen's kingdom, who then decided to wage a war against Indra. Sage [[Narada]] was approached by Indra, who mediated peace between Agrasen and Indra. As per the advice of Maharishi Garg, he also married Sundaravati to increase his wealth and health. | |||
Another belief states King Agrasen to be the elder brother of [[Surasena|Shoorsen]] [[Vrishni]] and elder grandfather of [[Balarama]] and [[Krishna]] Vrishni of Mahabharata, descendant of King [[Yayati]] of [[Khandava Forest|Khandavprastha]]. It was built after several attacks faced from [[Jarasandha]] of [[Magadha Kingdom]] in Mahabharata period. Agroha was called as Agreya in its original period. Agroha was the birthplace of Maharaj Agrasen, and Agra was his kingdom.King Agrasen made it capital of his state, a city in ancient Kuru Panchala, while his younger brother Shoorsen, including Balarama and Shri Krishna decided to stay at [[Dvārakā]]. | |||
He is well renowned due to his famous policy of one brick and one coin. It is said that one who came to his kingdom, to be a citizen, was given 1 brick and 1 coin by every other resident. The coins he would end up with, would provide money to set up a new business(thus ensuring his income) and the bricks would help him build his house. | |||
== Agrawal gotras == | == Agrawal gotras == | ||
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{{columns-list|colwidth=15em| | {{columns-list|colwidth=15em| | ||
# | # Bansal | ||
# Goyal | # Goyal | ||
# Kucchal | # Kucchal | ||
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# Tingal | # Tingal | ||
# Tayal | # Tayal | ||
# | # Garg | ||
# Bhandal | # Bhandal | ||
# Nangal | # Nangal | ||
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*[http://www.agrasen.com/agrasen.html Maharaja Agrasen] at agrasen.com | *[http://www.agrasen.com/agrasen.html Maharaja Agrasen] at agrasen.com | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Characters in Hindu mythology]] | ||
[[Category:Legendary Indian people]] | [[Category:Legendary Indian people]] | ||