Shloka 42
मातापितृपूजन-प्रधानधर्मः (Primacy of Filial Service) — Mārkaṇḍeya’s Account of the Vyādha’s Instruction
धुन्धुर्नाम महादैत्यो मधुकैटभयो: सुतः । कुवलाश्चश्व नृपतिर्धुन्धुमार इति स्मृत:,सज्जनशिरोमणे! इस प्रकार मधुकैटभ-कुमार महादैत्य धुन्धु कुवलाश्वके हाथसे मारा गया और राजा कुवलाश्चकी धुन्धुमार नामसे प्रसिद्धि हुई
dhundhur nāma mahādaityo madhukaiṭabhayoḥ sutaḥ | kuvalāśvaś ca nṛpatir dhundhumāra iti smṛtaḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “There was a mighty demon named Dhundhu, the son of Madhu and Kaiṭabha. King Kuvalāśva is remembered by the name ‘Dhundhumāra’ because he slew that Dhundhu.” The episode highlights how a ruler’s fame is ethically grounded in the protection of the world and the destruction of forces that threaten order.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s true renown arises from dharmic protection—removing destructive forces that endanger society—so that power becomes service to order rather than mere conquest.
Mārkaṇḍeya identifies Dhundhu as a powerful demon descended from Madhu and Kaiṭabha, and explains that King Kuvalāśva gained the epithet Dhundhumāra because he killed Dhundhu.