Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Account of the Manvantaras: Manus

Devanagari script

दत्तो निश्च्यवनस्तम्बः प्राणः कश्यप एव च और्वो बृहस्पतिश्चैव सप्तैते ऋषयः स्मृताः //

Transliteration

datto niścyavanastambaḥ prāṇaḥ kaśyapa eva ca aurvo bṛhaspatiścaiva saptaite ṛṣayaḥ smṛtāḥ //

Translation

Datta, Niścyavana, Stambha, Prāṇa, and also Kaśyapa; likewise Aurva and Bṛhaspati—these seven are remembered as sages (ṛṣis).

Word by Word

• दत्तः (dattaḥ): Datta (a sage)

• निश्च्यवनः (niścyavanaḥ): Niścyavana (a sage)

• स्तम्बः (stambhaḥ): Stambha (a sage)

• प्राणः (prāṇaḥ): Prāṇa (a sage, lit. ‘vital breath’ as a name)

• कश्यपः (kaśyapaḥ): Kaśyapa (a great progenitor-sage)

• एव च (eva ca): and also

• और्वः (aurvaḥ): Aurva (a sage, descendant of Urva)

• बृहस्पतिः (bṛhaspatiḥ): Bṛhaspati (guru of the gods, a ṛṣi)

• च एव (caiva): and indeed

• सप्त (sapta): seven

• एते (ete): these

• ऋषयः (ṛṣayaḥ): sages

• स्मृताः (smṛtāḥ): are remembered/are traditionally recounted.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for early Matsya Purana discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Datta
• Niścyavana
• Stambha
• Prāṇa
• Kaśyapa
• Aurva
• Bṛhaspati
• Saptarishis

Tags

• Ancient Indian genealogy
• Saptarishis
• Rishi lineages
• Puranic tradition
• Matsya Purana sages

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it preserves the rishi-paramparā (a canonical list of seven sages), a key framework used in Puranic cosmology to transmit knowledge across ages.

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

By naming authoritative sages, the verse points to the sources of dharma and sacred instruction; kings and householders are expected to align conduct, ritual, and governance with teachings preserved through such recognized ṛṣis.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple-building rule is stated; its ritual significance is indirect—these sage lineages function as traditional authorities whose teachings underpin rites, mantras, and later technical disciplines (including Vastuvidyā) in Puranic culture.