Shloka 44
Expansion of Creation through Dakṣa and Kaśyapa: Devas, Dānavas, Nāgas, Birds, and Cosmic Offices
निकुम्भनामा गुर्वक्षः कुक्षिर्भौमोथ भीषणः । एवमन्ये तु बहवो बाणोज्येष्ठो गुणाधिकः
nikumbhanāmā gurvakṣaḥ kukṣirbhaumotha bhīṣaṇaḥ | evamanye tu bahavo bāṇojyeṣṭho guṇādhikaḥ
നികുംഭൻ, ഗുര്വക്ഷൻ, കുക്ഷി, ഭൗമൻ, ഭീഷണൻ (എന്നിവരും) ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു. ഇങ്ങനെ മറ്റും പലരും; ബാണൻ ജ്യേഷ്ഠനും ഗുണങ്ങളിൽ ശ്രേഷ്ഠനും ആയിരുന്നു.
Unspecified (narratorial voice within the Adhyaya context)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Sandhi Resolution Notes: निकुम्भनामा = निकुम्भ + नाम + (बहुव्रीहि) प्रथमा एकवचन; कुक्षिर्भौमोथ = कुक्षिः + भौमः + अथ; एवमन्ये = एवम् + अन्ये; बहवो = बहवः (ओ-आदेशः पदान्ते); बाणोज्येष्ठो = बाणः + ज्येष्ठः.
FAQs
It functions as a catalog-style genealogical listing, enumerating notable figures and highlighting Bāṇa as the eldest and foremost in qualities.
Not directly; it is primarily descriptive (a lineage/name list). Any theological reading is indirect—valuing guṇa (virtues) as a distinguishing trait even among powerful beings.
The verse explicitly elevates 'guṇa' (virtue/quality) as a criterion of excellence, implying that seniority and moral/spiritual qualities can define prominence beyond mere power or birth.