Shloka 4
Paraśurāma, Kārtavīryārjuna, and the Kāmadhenu Offense
with Lunar-line Genealogy to Gādhi and Jamadagni
जह्नोस्तु पुरुस्तस्याथ बलाकश्चात्मजोऽजक: । तत: कुश: कुशस्यापि कुशाम्बुस्तनयो वसु: । कुशनाभश्च चत्वारो गाधिरासीत् कुशाम्बुज: ॥ ४ ॥
jahnos tu purus tasyātha balākaś cātmajo ’jakaḥ tataḥ kuśaḥ kuśasyāpi kuśāmbus tanayo vasuḥ kuśanābhaś ca catvāro gādhir āsīt kuśāmbujaḥ
Jahnu’s son was Puru; Puru’s son was Balāka; Balāka’s son was Ajaka; and Ajaka’s son was Kuśa. Kuśa had four sons—Kuśāmbu, Tanaya, Vasu, and Kuśanābha—and Kuśāmbu’s son was Gādhi.
FAQs
This verse preserves the dynastic succession of righteous kings, anchoring later sacred narratives in historical lineage and highlighting continuity of dharma across generations.
Shukadeva Gosvami speaks this verse while narrating the royal lineages to King Parikshit as part of the Ninth Canto’s dynastic histories.
It emphasizes responsibility across generations—one’s actions and values shape a legacy—encouraging integrity, duty, and devotion in family and leadership.