References to Sainis in Mahabharata
Mahabharata, Book 13, Chapter 147
Lord Krishna mentioned as a Shoorsaini by Veda Vyasa
Mahabharata, Book 2, Chapter 14 Shoorsainis flee toward West (Modern Punjab and Afghanistan) from Mathura due to attack of Jarasandha “The eighteen tribes of the Bhojas, from fear of Jarasandha, have all fled towards the west; so also have the Shoorsainis, the Bhadrakas, the Vodhas, the Salwas, the Patachchavas, the Susthalas, the Mukuttas, and the Kulindas, along with the Kuntis. And the king of the Salwayana tribe with their brethren and followers; and the southern Panchalas and the eastern Kosalas have all fled to the country of the Kuntis. So also the Matsyas and the Sannyastapadas, overcome with fear, leaving their dominions in the north, have fled into the southern country. And so all the Panchalas, alarmed at the power of Jarasandha, have left their own kingdom and fled in all directions." Mahabharata, Book 2, Chapter 30 “Sahadeva, vanquishing completely at the outset the Shoorsainis, brought the king of Matsya under his sway. And the hero then, defeating Dantavakra, the mighty king of the Adhirajas and making him pay tribute, re-established him on his throne.” Mahabharata, Book 5, Chapter 54 Shoorsainis change allegiance to Pandavas “The Matsyas, the Panchalas, the Salways and the Shoorsainis, all decline to pay thee homage now and all disregard Dhritarashtra. All of them have joined the Pandavas.”
Mahabharata, Book 1, Chapter 110 Kunti (Pandavas' Mother), mentioned as the daughter of Maharaja Shoorsen, the found of Saini clan “There are three maidens worthy of being allied to Kuru race. One is the daughter (Kunti) of Shoorsen, of the Yaduvanshi race; the other is the daughter (Gandhari) of Suvala; and the third is the princess (Madri) of Madra.” Mahabharata, Book 5, Chapter 90 “The daughter of king Shoorsen, thou (Kunti) art, by marriage, admitted into Ajamida’s race (The race of Kurus).” Mahabharata Book 6, Chapter 9
Surasena Kingdom, named after Maharaja Shoorsen, mentioned as one of the kingdoms of ancient India “They are the Kuru-Panchalas, the Salwas, the Madreyas, the Jangalas, the Surasena, the Kalingas, the Vodhas, the Malas, the Matsyas, the Sauvalyas, the Kuntalas, the Kasi-kosalas, the Chedis, the Karushas, the Bhojas, the Sindhus....”  An Eighteenth Century Manuscript Illustration of the Battle of Kurukshetra in the Epic Mahabharta
Sainis in Kurukshetra Battle
Shoorsainis defend Bhishma on day 1
Shoorsainis protect Bhishma on Day 2
Encounter of Arjuna and Bhishma on Day 2
Kauravas make the Garuda Military-Formation on Day 3
Kauravas make the Crane Military-Formation on Day 6
Shoorsainis defend Bhishma with their lives
Shoorsainis resist Arjuna for aiding Bhishma
Mahabharata, Book 6, Chapter 120
Shoorsainis finally abandon Bhishma
Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 7
After Bhishma's fall, Shoorsainis fighting under Drona
“The Madras, the Trigartas the Amvashthas, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Shoorsainis, the Sudras the Maladas, the Sauviras, the Kaitavas, the Easterners, and the Southerners placing Duryodhana and Karna at their head, forming the rear guard, gladdened warriors of their own army.”
Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 20
Drona's Garuda Military-Formation
“Bhutasarman, and Kshemasarman, and the valiant Karakaksha, and the Kalingas, the Singhalas, the Easterners, the Sudras, the Abhiras, the Daserakas, the Sakas, the Yavanas, the Kamvojas, the Hangsapadas, the Shoorsainis, the Daradas, the Madras, and the Kalikeyas, with hundreds and thousands of elephants, steeds, cars, and foot-soldiers were stationed at its neck.”
Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 88
“The Abhishahas, the Shoorsainis, the Sivis, the Vasatis, the Mavellakas, the Lilithyas, the Kaikeyas, the Madrakas, the Narayana Gopalas, and the various tribes of the Kamvojas who had before been vanquished by Karna, all of whom were regarded as very brave, placing Drona at their head, and becoming regardless of their lives, rushed towards Arjuna.”
Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 90
Resisting Arjuna for aiding Drona
“The Abhishahas, the Shoorsainis, the Sivis, the Vasatis began to scatter their arrow showers on Arjuna.”
Shoorsainis fight Satyaki, another Shoorsaini
“Then the brave warriors of the Shoorsainis endeavoured to check Satyaki, striking him with showers of shafts, like a driver striking an infuriated elephant with the hook.”
Destruction of some Shoorsainis along with Jayadratha
Mahabharata, Book 7, Chapter 154
Shoorsainis resisting Yudhisthira for aiding Drona
Shoorsainis resisting Bhima for aiding Drona
Destruction of Shoorsainis aiding Karna
Shoorsainis on the side of the Pandavas
“Kripa and Kritavarma, and Sakuni accompanied by troops fought with the Kosalas, the Kasis, the Matsyas, the Karusas, the Kaikayas, and the Shoorsainis. ”
Karana extolling the piety of Shoorsainis
| Krishna identified as Saini or Shoorsaini in Mahabharata
" Foremost among all the Shoorsainis , the powerful one, Krishna, residing at Dwaraka, will rule and protect the whole earth after vanquishing all her lords, conversant as he will be with the science of polity. " - Mahabharata, Book 13, Chapter 147 Shoorsainis in the Battle of Mahbharata
"It is to be noted that bulk of Shoorsainis had fought on the side of Kaurvas, except for Lord Krishna, Satyaki and some other cousins of Krishna. The reason for this was prior to the battle both Duryodhana and Arjuna had gone to Krishna to seek his help. Krishna said that they could either have his army or him but not both. Duryodhana chose to have the Shoorsaini army while Arjuna wisely chose Krishna, the chief of Shoorsainis, as his counsel and charioteer. Balrama, the eldest of the Shoorsainis, stayed neutral. It should also be borne in mind that Mahabharata battle was a not war in conventional sense. It was in fact a duel, with notions of fair play, chivalry and strict adherence to warrior code holding paramount importance until of course the last few days of the battle when all these finer distinctions were abandoned by both sides ."
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