Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 34
Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation
त्रसद्दस्युरितीन्द्रोऽङ्ग विदधे नाम यस्य वै । यस्मात् त्रसन्ति ह्युद्विग्ना दस्यवो रावणादय: ॥ ३३ ॥ यौवनाश्वोऽथ मान्धाता चक्रवर्त्यवनीं प्रभु: । सप्तद्वीपवतीमेक: शशासाच्युततेजसा ॥ ३४ ॥
trasaddasyur itīndro ’ṅga vidadhe nāma yasya vai yasmāt trasanti hy udvignā dasyavo rāvaṇādayaḥ
Ó Parīkṣit, Indra lhe deu o nome de “Trasaddasyu”, pois Rāvaṇa e outros ladrões e malfeitores tremiam de medo diante dele. Pela misericórdia de Acyuta, o filho de Yuvanāśva, Māndhātā, tornou-se um cakravartī tão poderoso que governou sozinho, sem segundo rival, toda a terra de sete ilhas.
FAQs
It means “one who makes the dasyus (lawless plunderers) tremble,” indicating a ruler whose dharmic power restrains criminals and aggressors.
The verse states Indra formally conferred the name, highlighting the king’s recognized, divinely sanctioned role as a protector who curbs disorder.
Leadership should protect the innocent and deter exploitation; real authority is shown by establishing safety and dharma, not by personal gain.