Shloka 23
Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation
धुन्धुमार इति ख्यातस्तत्सुतास्ते च जज्वलु: । धुन्धोर्मुखाग्निना सर्वे त्रय एवावशेषिता: ॥ २३ ॥ दृढाश्व: कपिलाश्वश्च भद्राश्व इति भारत । दृढाश्वपुत्रो हर्यश्वो निकुम्भस्तत्सुत: स्मृत: ॥ २४ ॥
dhundhumāra iti khyātas tat-sutās te ca jajvaluḥ dhundhor mukhāgninā sarve traya evāvaśeṣitāḥ
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, for this reason Kuvalayāśva is famed as Dhundhumāra, “the slayer of Dhundhu.” Yet the fire from Dhundhu’s mouth burned all his sons to ashes except three—Dṛḍhāśva, Kapilāśva, and Bhadrāśva. From Dṛḍhāśva came Haryaśva, and Haryaśva’s son is known as Nikumbha.
FAQs
In this verse, Dhundhumāra is the celebrated name of the king, noted in the dynasty narration; his sons fought the demon Dhundhu, and only three survived the demon’s mouth-fire.
This verse specifically highlights Dhundhu’s destructive power: fire coming from his mouth that burned and killed the king’s sons, leaving only three alive.
Even great strength and heroism can be checked by unforeseen dangers; the Bhagavatam encourages humility, dependence on divine protection, and steady dharmic resolve.