Shloka 21
Rantideva’s Supreme Charity and the Hastī Lineage
Hastināpura and Pañcāla Origins
अजमीढो द्विमीढश्च पुरुमीढश्च हस्तिन: । अजमीढस्य वंश्या: स्यु: प्रियमेधादयो द्विजा: ॥ २१ ॥
ajamīḍho dvimīḍhaś ca purumīḍhaś ca hastinaḥ ajamīḍhasya vaṁśyāḥ syuḥ priyamedhādayo dvijāḥ
King Hastī had three sons—Ajamīḍha, Dvimīḍha, and Purumīḍha. The descendants of Ajamīḍha, headed by Priyamedha, all attained the status of brāhmaṇas.
This verse gives evidence confirming the statement of Bhagavad-gītā that the orders of society — brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra — are calculated in terms of qualities and activities ( guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ ). All the descendants of Ajamīḍha, who was a kṣatriya, became brāhmaṇas. This was certainly because of their qualities and activities. Similarly, sometimes the sons of brāhmaṇas or kṣatriyas become vaiśyas ( brāhmaṇa-vaiśyatāṁ gatāḥ ). When a kṣatriya or brāhmaṇa adopts the occupation or duty of a vaiśya ( kṛṣi-gorakṣya-vāṇijyam ), he is certainly counted as a vaiśya. On the other hand, if one is born a vaiśya, by his activities he can become a brāhmaṇa. This is confirmed by Nārada Muni. Yasya yal-lakṣaṇaṁ proktam. The members of the varṇas, or social orders — brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra — must be ascertained by their symptoms, not by birth. Birth is immaterial; quality is essential.
FAQs
This verse states that Hasti had three sons: Ajamīḍha, Dvimīḍha, and Purumīḍha.
Here Priyamedha is mentioned as one of the brāhmaṇas who appeared in the dynasty of Ajamīḍha.
They preserve sacred history and show how dharma and Vedic culture (including brāhmaṇas) continued through dynasties, helping readers connect teachings to a living lineage and tradition.