Shloka 31

Matsya Purana — Ila–Sudyumna Episode and the Expansion of the Ikṣvāku

Devanagari script

श्रावस्ताद्बृहदश्वो ऽभूत् कुवलाश्वस् ततो ऽभवत् धुन्धुमारत्वमगमद् धुन्धुनाम्ना हतः पुरा //

Transliteration

śrāvastādbṛhadaśvo 'bhūt kuvalāśvas tato 'bhavat dhundhumāratvamagamad dhundhunāmnā hataḥ purā //

Translation

From Śrāvasta was born Bṛhadaśva; from him arose Kuvalāśva. He came to be known as Dhundhumāra, for in ancient times he had slain the being named Dhundhu.

Word by Word

• śrāvastāt: from Śrāvasta

• bṛhadaśvaḥ: (named) Bṛhadaśva

• abhūt: was born/appeared

• kuvalāśvaḥ: (named) Kuvalāśva

• tataḥ: from him/thereafter

• abhavat: became/was born

• dhundhumāratvam: the state/name ‘Dhundhumāra’

• agamat: attained/came to

• dhundhunāmnā: by the name Dhundhu / the one named Dhundhu

• hataḥ: slain/killed

• purā: formerly/in ancient times.

Speaker

• Suta (Pauranika narrator) describing the royal lineage

Entities Mentioned

• Śrāvasta
• Bṛhadaśva
• Kuvalāśva (Dhundhumāra)
• Dhundhu

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Solar Dynasty
• Royal Epithets
• Puranic History

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse does not address pralaya; it records a dynastic succession and explains how Kuvalāśva acquired the epithet Dhundhumāra after killing Dhundhu.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

By highlighting a king famed for destroying a harmful being (Dhundhu), the verse reflects the kṣatriya duty of protection—removing threats and maintaining order as part of righteous kingship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; its focus is genealogical and on the origin of a royal title.