Matsya Purana — Dynastic Genealogies: Paurava–Anu Lines, Shloka 28

Devanagari script

जयं चाप्रतिमं युद्धे धर्मे तत्त्वार्थदर्शनम् चतुरो नियतान्वर्णान् स वै स्थापयिता प्रभुः //

Transliteration

jayaṃ cāpratimaṃ yuddhe dharme tattvārthadarśanam caturo niyatānvarṇān sa vai sthāpayitā prabhuḥ //

Translation

Unvergleichlicher Sieg im Krieg und im Dharma die Einsicht in den wahren Sinn der Wirklichkeit—er ist wahrlich der souveräne Herr, der die vier geregelten Varṇas (Stände) fest begründet.

Word by Word

• jayam: victory

• ca: and

• apratimam: incomparable, unmatched

• yuddhe: in battle/war

• dharme: in dharma, righteous order

• tattva-artha-darśanam: vision/understanding of the meaning of truth (principles and their import)

• caturo: four

• niyatān: regulated, duly fixed

• varṇān: social classes/orders (varṇas)

• saḥ: he

• vai: indeed

• sthāpayitā: establisher, one who sets in place

• prabhuḥ: lord, sovereign.

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching on kingship; doctrinal voice ultimately aligned with Lord Matsya’s instruction to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Varna (four social orders)
• Dharma

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Kingship
• Varna
• Social order
• Dharma

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on royal competence—victory in war, discernment in dharma, and the establishment of social order.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It defines a king’s duty as both protective strength (successful defense and warfare) and moral-intellectual leadership—upholding dharma by maintaining the properly regulated functions of the four varṇas.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the practical takeaway is administrative—social stability through dharmic regulation, which indirectly supports orderly ritual life in society.