The
Sabha-parva and
Bhisma-parva sections of the
Mahabharata mention the province of
Abhira, situated near what once was the
Sarasvati River in ancient
Sind. and the place they inhabited was known as
Abhiradesa. Later, for a period of time, they were ruled by
Maharaja Yudhisthira. they are prophesied by the
sage Markandeya to rule in the
Kaliyuga.
Vātsyāyana also mentions the
Abhira kingdoms in the
Kama Sutra. References of Abhira being residents of kingdom ruled by
Yudhisthira is found in
Bhagwatam. Their king Chitra, was killed by
Prativindhya, the son of
Yudhishthira and
Draupadi. They defeated the hero of Mahabharatha war, sparing him when he disclosed the identity of the members of the family of Sri Krishna.
Arjuna had killed all
Kauravas and was defeated by
Gopas (
Abhiras) was only
Hari's play. ==Abhira kingdom of Mathura==