Shloka 21

Daitya–Dānava Vaṁśa, Kaśyapa’s Progeny, and the Birth of the Maruts

Devanagari script

तेषां प्रधानभूतास् ते शेषवासुकितक्षकाः शङ्खश्वेतो महापद्मः कम्बलाश्वतराव् उभौ

Transliteration

teṣāṃ pradhānabhūtās te śeṣavāsukitakṣakāḥ śaṅkhaśveto mahāpadmaḥ kambalāśvatarāv ubhau

Translation

ان میں سب سے نمایاں یہ عظیم ناگ ہیں—شیش، واسُکی اور تکشک؛ نیز شنکھ، شویت، مہاپدم، اور دونوں—کمبل اور اشوتر۔

Word by Word

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/सर्वलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• प्रधानभूताः: the principal/chief ones
• प्रधानभूताः: Predicate adjective (विधेय-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pradhāna + bhūta (प्रातिपदिके; √bhū क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (प्रधानं भूताḥ = having become chief); ‘भूत’ = भूतकृदन्त (past participle)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• शेषवासुकितक्षकाः: Śeṣa, Vāsuki, and Takṣaka
• शेषवासुकितक्षकाः: Apposition to subject (समनाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śeṣa + vāsuki + takṣaka (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (शेषश्च वासुकिश्च तक्षकश्च)

• शङ्खश्वेतः: Śaṅkhaśveta
• शङ्खश्वेतः: Apposition (समनाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkha + śveta (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (शङ्ख इव श्वेतः/शङ्ख-श्वेतः)

• महापद्मः: Mahāpadma
• महापद्मः: Apposition (समनाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + padma (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः

• कम्बलाश्वतरौ: Kambala and Aśvatara
• कम्बलाश्वतरौ: Apposition (समनाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kambala + aśvatara (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (कम्बलश्च अश्वतरश्च)

• उभौ: both
• उभौ: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; विशेषण (द्विवचन-नियत)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Identification of principal nāgas within Kadrū’s progeny.

Teaching: Cosmological

Quality: authoritative

Cosmological Context

Creation Stage: Secondary

Dynasty & Genealogy

Dharma Exemplar: Śeṣa as exemplar of steadfast support (dhāraṇa) in later Purāṇic theology.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Narayana

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Jagat Karana: Yes

Characters & Entities

• Śeṣa (Ananta)
• Vāsuki
• Takṣaka
• Śaṅkha (Nāga)
• Śveta (Nāga)
• Mahāpadma (Nāga)
• Kambala (Nāga)
• Aśvatara (Nāga)

FAQs

What is the significance of the Nāgas listed in this verse in the Vishnu Purana?

The verse identifies the principal Nāgas, presenting them as key beings within Pātāla whose presence forms part of the Purana’s ordered cosmic hierarchy.

How does Sage Parāśara explain cosmic order through such enumerations?

Parāśara maps the universe by naming its major classes and leaders; this cataloging style frames creation as structured and governed, not random.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even when Vishnu is not named, the cosmological catalog ultimately points to a universe sustained by Vishnu’s supreme governance—especially through figures like Śeṣa (Ananta), traditionally linked with Vishnu’s support of the worlds.