Janamejaya

Janamejaya (Sanskrit: जनमेजय) was a Kuru king who reigned during the Middle Vedic period (12th or 11th century BCE). Along with his predecessor Parikshit, he played a decisive role in the consolidation of the Kuru state, the arrangement of Vedic hymns into collections, and the development of the orthodox srauta ritual, transforming the Kuru realm into the dominant political and cultural center of northern Iron Age India.

He also appears as an important figure in many later legends and traditions, such as the Mahabharata, where he appears as the listener of the first narration of the great epic (see below).

In Vedic literature

Janamejaya is mentioned as a great king and conqueror in a number of late Vedic texts. The Aitareya Brahmana (VIII.21) informs us that his priest Tura Kavasheya anointed him with the great anointing of Indra, and hence his descendants are called Tur. The Shatapatha Brahmana mentions that he performed an ashvamedha (horse sacrifice) at a place named Āsandīvat and the priest who performed it for him was Indrota Daivapa Shaunaka. Janamejaya was a son of King Parikshit and had several brothers: Bhimasena, Ugrasena and Śrutasena.