Shloka 41

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

Sūryavaṁśa Genealogy

Devanagari script

निषधस्य नलः पुत्रो नलस्य च नभाः स्मृतः / नभसः पुण्डरीकस्तुक्षेमधन्वा तदात्मजः

Transliteration

niṣadhasya nalaḥ putro nalasya ca nabhāḥ smṛtaḥ / nabhasaḥ puṇḍarīkastukṣemadhanvā tadātmajaḥ

Translation

నిషధుని కుమారుడు నలుడు; నలుని కుమారుడు నభాః అని ప్రసిద్ధి. నభసుని నుండి పుండరీకుడు, అతని కుమారుడు క్షేమధన్వా.

Word by Word

• निषधस्य: of Nishadha
• निषधस्य: Sambandha (Possessor/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निषध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• नलः: Nala
• नलः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पुत्रः: son
• पुत्रः: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता-समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• नलस्य: of Nala
• नलस्य: Sambandha (Possessor/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• नभाः: Nabha
• नभाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नभस्/नभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (नभाः इति प्रथमा एकवचन-रूपम्)

• स्मृतः: is said (to be)
• स्मृतः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु) → स्मृत (कृदन्त, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘is said/remembered’

• नभसः: of Nabhas
• नभसः: Sambandha (Possessor/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नभस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पुण्डरीकः: Pundarika
• पुण्डरीकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुण्डरीक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; contrast/emphasis)

• क्षेमधन्वा: Kshema-dhanvan
• क्षेमधन्वा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षेमधन्वन् (प्रातिपदिक; क्षेम + धन्वन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास

• तदात्मजः: his son
• तदात्मजः: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता-समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (तस्य आत्मजः)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (narrating to Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Saṃsāric continuity: births arise in sequence; identity is carried by name/form while the deeper Self remains untouched (implied contrast).

Vedantic Theme: Nāma-rūpa succession over the changeless ātman (implicit in genealogical narration).

Application: Contemplate impermanence of individual fame; cultivate virtues that outlast one’s name; use history as a mirror for detachment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: dynastic region

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.138 (genealogical continuation)

Characters & Entities

• Niṣadha
• Nala
• Nabhāḥ
• Nabhas
• Puṇḍarīka
• Kṣemadhanvā

FAQs

What is the importance of genealogies in the Garuda Purana?

This verse preserves a traditional lineage (paramparā) of rulers, supporting Purāṇic history and the dhārmic idea of continuity of family duty across generations.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana themes like afterlife or rituals?

Directly, it is a genealogical statement rather than a ritual or afterlife instruction; it functions as contextual narration within the broader Purāṇic framework that later connects lineage, dharma, and prescribed rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It highlights the value of preserving family history and honoring ancestral continuity—encouraging responsibility, ethical conduct, and respect for forebears.