Shloka 19

Dynasties of Kings: From Manu to Ikṣvāku, Śrī Rāma, and Janaka

Sūryavaṁśa Genealogy

Devanagari script

इक्ष्वाकुजो विकुक्षिस्तु शशादः शशभक्षणात् / पुरञ्जयः शशादाच्च ककुत्स्थाख्यो ऽभवत्सुतः

Transliteration

ikṣvākujo vikukṣistu śaśādaḥ śaśabhakṣaṇāt / purañjayaḥ śaśādācca kakutsthākhyo 'bhavatsutaḥ

Translation

ఇక్ష్వాకుని నుండి వికుక్షి అనే కుమారుడు జన్మించాడు. శశము (కుందేలు) భక్షించినందున అతడు ‘శశాద’ (శశభక్షకుడు) అని ప్రసిద్ధి పొందాడు. శశాదుని నుండి పురంజయుడు పుట్టి, అతని కుమారుడు ‘కకుత్స్థ’ అనే నామంతో ఖ్యాతి పొందాడు.

Word by Word

• इक्ष्वाकुजः: descendant/son of Ikṣvāku
• इक्ष्वाकुजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इक्ष्वाकु (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय, जन्य/उत्पन्नार्थ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (इक्ष्वाकु-सम्बन्धी/इक्ष्वाकु-जन्यः)

• विकुक्षिः: Vikukṣi (proper name)
• विकुक्षिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विकुक्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Discourse particle (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यालङ्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थे

• शशादः: Śaśāda (proper name)
• शशादः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शशाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• शशभक्षणात्: from (the act of) eating a hare/rabbit
• शशभक्षणात्: Hetu/Apadana (Cause/Reason; हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शश (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (शशस्य भक्षणम्)

• पुरञ्जयः: Purañjaya (proper name)
• पुरञ्जयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरञ्जय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• शशादात्: from Śaśāda
• शशादात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शशाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात (conjunction)

• ककुत्स्थाख्यः: named Kakutstha
• ककुत्स्थाख्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ककुत्स्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + आख्य (कृदन्त; √आ-ख्या (धातु) ‘नामधेय’ अर्थे)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ककुत्स्थ-नामकः)

• अभवत्: became/was
• अभवत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• सुतः: son
• सुतः: Predicate nominative (सम्बन्ध/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nāma (epithet) arises from karma/behavior; reputation follows action even within noble lineage.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala as social/psychological imprint (saṃskāra) shaping identity in vyavahāra.

Application: Guard conduct because even small lapses become lasting labels; cultivate actions worthy of one’s lineage and responsibilities.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: dynastic realm/kingdom lineage marker

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.138 (Ikṣvāku-vaṃśa genealogy context)

Characters & Entities

• Ikshvaku
• Vikukshi
• Shashada
• Puranjaya
• Kakutstha

FAQs

What is the importance of Ikṣvāku lineage references in the Garuda Purana?

This verse preserves royal genealogy and name-etymologies that link dharma, conduct, and reputation—showing how actions can shape enduring titles in sacred history.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it highlights karma through reputation—Vikukṣi’s act (eating a hare) leads to the epithet Śaśāda—illustrating how deeds create lasting consequences, a theme used elsewhere in the Purana for post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live so that your actions create an honorable legacy; even small choices can define how one is remembered and, in dharmic thought, shape one’s karmic trajectory.