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
شراونت سے وِرہدَشوَ پیدا ہوا؛ اور اس سے بادشاہ کُبلَاشوَ ہوا۔ قدیم زمانے میں دھُندھو کو قتل کرنے کے سبب وہ ‘دھُندھُمار’ کے لقب سے مشہور ہوا۔
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.