In the epic Mahabharata it is mentioned that Samvarana is the son of Riksha, fourth in descent from Ikshvaku. Samvarana was driven from Hastinapur by the Panchalas, and forced to take refuge among the thickets of the Indus. When the sage Vasishtha joined his people and became the Raja`s family priest, they recovered their country under Kuru.

There is a story which relates that while Samvarana, the son of Riksha was ruling the earth there was a great loss of people from famine, drought, pestilence and disease. Then the Bharata princes Samvarana was beaten by the troops of enemies; and the Panchala four Kings who had set out to invade the whole earth defeated many kingdoms. With their ten Akshauhinis, the king of the Panchalas defeated the Bharata princes Samvarana. . Samvarana then with his wife and other ministers, sons and relatives, fled in fear and took shelter in the forest on the banks of the Sindhu extending to the foot of the mountains. There the Samvarana and his descendants lived for thousand years, within their fort. And after they had ruled there for thousand years, one day the illustrious Rishi Vasishtha approached the exiled Bharatas who on going out saluted the Rishi and worshipped him by offering Arghya and entertained him with reverence, the Samvarana and his associates represented everything unto that illustrious Rishi. After he was seated on his seat, King Samvarana approached the Rishi Vasishtha and said that he and his fellow mates will endeavour to regain the kingdom. Vasistha answered to Bharatas that by saying `Om`, the sign of consent and by enchanting this mantras, he will be able to retake the kingdom. Vasishtha helped Samvarana to retake back the capital Hastinapur. The powerful Samvarana, thus installed once more in the actual sovereignty of the whole earth, performed many sacrifices at which the presents to the Brahmans were great.

Later Samvarana by his wife Tapati, daughter of Surya had a son named Kuru. After Samvarana died Kuru became the king as he was very virtuous.