Shloka 35

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

वंशाच्च बृहदश्वो ऽभूत् कुवलाश्वस्तु तत्सुतः धुन्धुमारत्वमापन्नो धुन्धुं हत्वा महाबलम्

Transliteration

vaṃśācca bṛhadaśvo 'bhūt kuvalāśvastu tatsutaḥ dhundhumāratvamāpanno dhundhuṃ hatvā mahābalam

Translation

From that lineage arose Bṛhadaśva; his son was Kuvalāśva. Having slain the mighty Dhundhu, Kuvalāśva attained the famed state of Dhundhumāra, becoming renowned as the destroyer of Dhundhu.

Word by Word

• vaṃśāt: from the lineage/dynasty

• ca: and

• bṛhadaśvaḥ: (named) Bṛhadaśva

• abhūt: arose/was born

• kuvalāśvaḥ tu: and (then) Kuvalāśva

• tat-sutaḥ: his son

• dhundhumāratvam: the status/name ‘Dhundhumāra’ (slayer of Dhundhu)

• āpannaḥ: attained/assumed

• dhundhum: Dhundhu (a powerful foe/daitya)

• hatvā: having slain

• mahābalam: very mighty/possessing great strength

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Bṛhadaśva
• Kuvalāśva
• Dhundhu

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

Though this verse is genealogical, it supports the Linga Purana theme that dharmic rulers act as instruments of Pati (Shiva) to remove forces of bondage and chaos—mirroring how Linga worship seeks Shiva’s grace to overcome obstacles.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva-tattva is implied as the sovereign power behind the restoration of order: when adharma (symbolized by Dhundhu) is destroyed, it reflects Pati’s capacity to dissolve pasha (bondage) and protect pashus (beings) through righteous agency.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No explicit ritual is stated; the yogic takeaway aligns with Pashupata discipline—destroying the ‘Dhundhu’ within (tamas, fear, obstruction) through steadfast dharma and devotion, culminating in transformation and a new spiritual identity.