Shloka 19

Dynasties of Kings: From Manu to Ikṣvāku, Śrī Rāma, and Janaka

Sūryavaṁśa Genealogy

Devanagari script

इक्ष्वाकुजो विकुक्षिस्तु शशादः शशभक्षणात् / पुरञ्जयः शशादाच्च ककुत्स्थाख्यो ऽभवत्सुतः

Transliteration

ikṣvākujo vikukṣistu śaśādaḥ śaśabhakṣaṇāt / purañjayaḥ śaśādācca kakutsthākhyo 'bhavatsutaḥ

Translation

Aus Ikṣvāku wurde Vikukṣi geboren; weil er einen Hasen aß, wurde er Śaśāda („Hasenesser“) genannt. Aus Śaśāda wurde Purañjaya geboren, und dessen Sohn wurde unter dem Namen Kakutstha berühmt.

Word by Word

• इक्ष्वाकुजः: descendant/son of Ikṣvāku
• इक्ष्वाकुजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इक्ष्वाकु (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय, जन्य/उत्पन्नार्थ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (इक्ष्वाकु-सम्बन्धी/इक्ष्वाकु-जन्यः)

• विकुक्षिः: Vikukṣi (proper name)
• विकुक्षिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विकुक्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Discourse particle (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यालङ्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थे

• शशादः: Śaśāda (proper name)
• शशादः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शशाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• शशभक्षणात्: from (the act of) eating a hare/rabbit
• शशभक्षणात्: Hetu/Apadana (Cause/Reason; हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शश (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (शशस्य भक्षणम्)

• पुरञ्जयः: Purañjaya (proper name)
• पुरञ्जयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरञ्जय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• शशादात्: from Śaśāda
• शशादात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शशाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात (conjunction)

• ककुत्स्थाख्यः: named Kakutstha
• ककुत्स्थाख्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ककुत्स्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + आख्य (कृदन्त; √आ-ख्या (धातु) ‘नामधेय’ अर्थे)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ककुत्स्थ-नामकः)

• अभवत्: became/was
• अभवत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• सुतः: son
• सुतः: Predicate nominative (सम्बन्ध/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nāma (epithet) arises from karma/behavior; reputation follows action even within noble lineage.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala as social/psychological imprint (saṃskāra) shaping identity in vyavahāra.

Application: Guard conduct because even small lapses become lasting labels; cultivate actions worthy of one’s lineage and responsibilities.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: dynastic realm/kingdom lineage marker

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.138 (Ikṣvāku-vaṃśa genealogy context)

Characters & Entities

• Ikshvaku
• Vikukshi
• Shashada
• Puranjaya
• Kakutstha

FAQs

What is the importance of Ikṣvāku lineage references in the Garuda Purana?

This verse preserves royal genealogy and name-etymologies that link dharma, conduct, and reputation—showing how actions can shape enduring titles in sacred history.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it highlights karma through reputation—Vikukṣi’s act (eating a hare) leads to the epithet Śaśāda—illustrating how deeds create lasting consequences, a theme used elsewhere in the Purana for post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live so that your actions create an honorable legacy; even small choices can define how one is remembered and, in dharmic thought, shape one’s karmic trajectory.