Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 21
Sūryavaṃśa-kīrtana
Proclamation of the Solar Dynasty
श्रावन्ताद् वृहदश्वो ऽभूत् कुबलाश्वस्ततो नृपः धुन्धुमारत्वमगमद्धुन्धोर् नाम्ना च वै पुरा
śrāvantād vṛhadaśvo 'bhūt kubalāśvastato nṛpaḥ dhundhumāratvamagamaddhundhor nāmnā ca vai purā
ശ്രാവന്തനിൽ നിന്ന് വൃഹദശ്വൻ ജനിച്ചു; അവനിൽ നിന്ന് കുബലാശ്വൻ എന്ന രാജാവ്. പൂർവകാലത്ത് ധുന്ധുവിനെ വധിച്ചതിനാൽ അവൻ ‘ധുന്ധുമാര’ എന്ന ബിരുദം പ്രാപിച്ചു.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic lineage to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Identifying royal epithets (birudas) derived from heroic deeds; supports Itihāsa narration and moral exempla of kingship (rakṣaṇa of people by destroying threats).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Kubalāśva’s epithet Dhundhumāra (slayer of Dhundhu)","lookup_keywords":["Śrāvanta","Vṛhadaśva","Kubalāśva","Dhundhumāra","Dhundhu"],"quick_summary":"Records succession (Śrāvanta → Vṛhadaśva → Kubalāśva) and explains the origin of the epithet ‘Dhundhumāra’ tied to the destruction of Dhundhu."}
Alamkara Type: Nirukti/Name-etymology (biruda-pravṛtti)
Weapon Type: General royal arms (implicit)
Concept: Rājadharma: the king earns lasting renown by removing sources of public भय (fear) and upholding order.
Application: Model for leadership ethics: decisive action against systemic harm becomes the basis of legitimate authority and remembered titles.
Khanda Section: Vamsha-Charita (Genealogies of kings and sages)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"King Kubalāśva is acclaimed as Dhundhumāra after defeating the being Dhundhu; courtiers proclaim the epithet while a subdued monstrous figure is shown in the background.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, heroic king with sword/bow standing over a vanquished subterranean demon, attendants holding fly-whisks, bold outlines, stylized flames/dust suggesting Dhundhu’s menace, inscription ‘Dhundhumāra’","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, coronated king receiving the title ‘Dhundhumāra’, gold-leaf aura around the king, demon vignette at lower corner, rich reds and greens, temple-like arch frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, narrative panel with two registers: upper court scene naming Dhundhumāra, lower action scene of the slaying, fine linework, soft shading, clear labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dynamic hunt/battle scene with king striking a monstrous adversary near sandy terrain, courtiers and banners, meticulous detailing, calligraphic caption ‘Dhundhumāra’"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Raga Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vṛhadaśvo 'bhūt = vṛhadaśvaḥ + abhūt; kubalāśvastato = kubalāśvaḥ + tataḥ; dhundhumāratvamagamat = dhundhumāratvam + agamat; agamaddhundhoḥ = agamat + dhundhoḥ (final -t + dh- → -ddh-).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: continuing Solar dynasty genealogy around 272.20–272.24; Agni Purana: rājadharma discussions elsewhere (general)
FAQs
No ritual or technical vidyā is taught here; the verse functions as a genealogical notice establishing succession and the origin of the royal epithet “Dhundhumāra.”
By preserving dynastic succession (Śrāvanta → Vṛhadaśva → Kubalāśva) and linking a king to a famed epithet tied to a demon episode, it exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic inclusion of history-like royal lists alongside its many other disciplines.
The implied significance is dharma-protection: a righteous king gains lasting fame through the destruction of adharma (symbolized by Dhundhu), earning a merit-bearing epithet remembered in Purāṇic tradition.