Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 21
Āgnīdhra Meets Pūrvacitti and Begets the Nine Sons of Jambūdvīpa
आग्नीध्रसुतास्ते मातुरनुग्रहादौत्पत्तिकेनैव संहननबलोपेता: पित्रा विभक्ता आत्मतुल्यनामानि यथाभागं जम्बूद्वीपवर्षाणि बुभुजु: ॥ २१ ॥
āgnīdhra-sutās te mātur anugrahād autpattikenaiva saṁhanana-balopetāḥ pitrā vibhaktā ātma-tulya-nāmāni yathā-bhāgaṁ jambūdvīpa-varṣāṇi bubhujuḥ.
由于承蒙母乳滋养，阿格尼陀罗的九位儿子天生体格强健、筋骨坚实。父王将阎浮提的各方国土按份分封给他们，各国亦以其名而著称。于是他们各自统治父所赐之邦土。
The ācāryas specifically mention that in this verse the words mātuḥ anugrahāt (“by the mercy of their mother”) refer to the breast milk of their mother. In India it is a common belief that if a baby is fed his mother’s milk for at least six months, his body will be very strong. Besides that, it is mentioned herein that all the sons of Āgnīdhra were endowed with the nature of their mother. Bhagavad-gītā (1.40) also declares, strīṣu duṣṭāsu vārṣṇeya jāyate varṇa-saṅkaraḥ: when women are polluted, varṇa-saṅkara, unqualified children, are generated, and when the varṇa-saṅkara population increases, the entire world becomes hellish. Therefore, according to Manu-saṁhitā, a woman needs a great deal of protection in order to remain pure and chaste so that her children can be fully engaged for the benefit of human society.
FAQs
In Canto 5, the Bhāgavatam states that King Āgnīdhra divided the regions (varṣas) of Jambūdvīpa among his sons, who then ruled their allotted lands.
This verse attributes their innate strength to the special grace and blessing of their mother, indicating divinely favored birth and fitness to rule.
It highlights gratitude for parental blessings and the principle of responsible stewardship—receiving one’s “share” and governing it dutifully rather than exploitatively.