Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 32
Rantideva’s Supreme Charity and the Hastī Lineage
Hastināpura and Pañcāla Origins
शान्ते: सुशान्तिस्तत्पुत्र: पुरुजोऽर्कस्ततोऽभवत् । भर्म्याश्वस्तनयस्तस्य पञ्चासन्मुद्गलादय: ॥ ३१ ॥ यवीनरो बृहद्विश्व: काम्पिल्ल: सञ्जय: सुता: । भर्म्याश्व: प्राह पुत्रा मे पञ्चानां रक्षणाय हि ॥ ३२ ॥ विषयाणामलमिमे इति पञ्चालसंज्ञिता: । मुद्गलाद् ब्रह्मनिर्वृत्तं गोत्रं मौद्गल्यसंज्ञितम् ॥ ३३ ॥
śānteḥ suśāntis tat-putraḥ purujo ’rkas tato ’bhavat bharmyāśvas tanayas tasya pañcāsan mudgalādayaḥ
The son of Śānti was Suśānti, the son of Suśānti was Puruja, and the son of Puruja was Arka. From Arka came Bharmyāśva, and from Bharmyāśva came five sons — Mudgala, Yavīnara, Bṛhadviśva, Kāmpilla and Sañjaya. Bharmyāśva prayed to his sons, “O my sons, please take charge of my five states, for you are quite competent to do so.” Thus his five sons were known as the Pañcālas. From Mudgala came a dynasty of brāhmaṇas known as Maudgalya.
FAQs
This verse names Bharmyāśva’s sons as Yavīnara, Bṛhadviśva, Kāmpilla, and Sañjaya (within a set of five sons).
It indicates Bharmyāśva’s sons were associated with safeguarding “the five,” which the following verse clarifies as the five territories/subjects later known collectively as Pañcāla.
Leadership is defined by protection and responsibility—those with power or position should safeguard dependents and uphold order rather than seek personal gain.