Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 19
Rantideva’s Supreme Charity and the Hastī Lineage
Hastināpura and Pañcāla Origins
गर्गाच्छिनिस्ततो गार्ग्य: क्षत्राद् ब्रह्म ह्यवर्तत । दुरितक्षयो महावीर्यात् तस्य त्रय्यारुणि: कवि: ॥ १९ ॥ पुष्करारुणिरित्यत्र ये ब्राह्मणगतिं गता: । बृहत्क्षत्रस्य पुत्रोऽभूद्धस्ती यद्धस्तिनापुरम् ॥ २० ॥
gargāc chinis tato gārgyaḥ kṣatrād brahma hy avartata duritakṣayo mahāvīryāt tasya trayyāruṇiḥ kaviḥ
من غَرْغا وُلِدَ شِني، ومن شِني وُلِدَ غارغْيا. ومع أن غارغْيا كان كشتريًا، فقد انحدرت منه سلالة من البراهمة. ومن مهاويريا وُلِدَ دُريتَكشَيا، وكانت له بنون: تريّيارُني، وكَوي، وبُشكرارُني—ومع أنهم وُلدوا في سلالة كشتريّة فقد نالوا مقام البراهمة. وكان لبِرهتْكشَترا ابنٌ اسمه هَسْتي، وهو الذي أسّس مدينة هَستينابورا.
FAQs
This verse states that from a kṣatriya line (through Śini and Gārgya), brahminical status (brahma) manifested—highlighting that spiritual qualification and Vedic status can appear through lineage transformations and merit.
Śukadeva is narrating dynastic genealogy to preserve the historical and dharmic continuity of royal and sage lineages within the Bhāgavatam’s sacred history.
It encourages respect for genuine qualities—learning, character, and spiritual culture—rather than judging worth only by birth, while still honoring the tradition of disciplined Vedic training.