Dynasty of Kṣatravṛddha: Kāśi Kings, Dhanvantari, Rajī’s Sons, and the Transition to Nahuṣa
श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच य: पुरूरवस: पुत्र आयुस्तस्याभवन् सुता: । नहुष: क्षत्रवृद्धश्च रजी राभश्च वीर्यवान् ॥ १ ॥ अनेना इति राजेन्द्र शृणु क्षत्रवृधोऽन्वयम् । क्षत्रवृद्धसुतस्यासन् सुहोत्रस्यात्मजास्त्रय: ॥ २ ॥ काश्य: कुशो गृत्समद इति गृत्समदादभूत् । शुनक: शौनको यस्य बह्वृचप्रवरो मुनि: ॥ ३ ॥
śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca yaḥ purūravasaḥ putra āyus tasyābhavan sutāḥ nahuṣaḥ kṣatravṛddhaś ca rajī rābhaś ca vīryavān
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: From Purūravā came a son named Āyu, whose very powerful sons were Nahuṣa, Kṣatravṛddha, Rajī, Rābha and Anenā. O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, now hear about the dynasty of Kṣatravṛddha. Kṣatravṛddha’s son was Suhotra, who had three sons, named Kāśya, Kuśa and Gṛtsamada. From Gṛtsamada came Śunaka, and from him came Śaunaka, the great saint, the best of those conversant with the Ṛg Veda.
This verse lists Āyu’s sons as Nahuṣa, Kṣatravṛddha, Rajī, and the powerful Rābha.
Canto 9 traces sacred lineages to show how dharma-bearing kings appear in history and how the Lord’s plan unfolds through generations.
They cultivate humility and perspective—reminding us that worldly power and family lines pass on, while devotion and dharma are the lasting inheritance.