Shloka 70

Matsya Purana — Catalogue of the Eighteen Puranas

Devanagari script

अष्टादश पुराणानि कृत्वा सत्यवतीसुतः भारताख्यानमखिलं चक्रे तदुपबृंहितम् लक्षेणैकेन यत्प्रोक्तं वेदार्थपरिबृंहितम् //

Transliteration

aṣṭādaśa purāṇāni kṛtvā satyavatīsutaḥ bhāratākhyānamakhilaṃ cakre tadupabṛṃhitam lakṣeṇaikena yatproktaṃ vedārthaparibṛṃhitam //

Translation

After composing the eighteen Purāṇas, the son of Satyavatī (Vyāsa) also produced the entire narrative called the Bhārata, expanding it; it was taught in a single lakh (one hundred thousand verses) and is filled out with the meanings of the Veda.

Word by Word

• aṣṭādaśa: eighteen

• purāṇāni: Purāṇas

• kṛtvā: having composed/made

• satyavatī-sutaḥ: the son of Satyavatī (Vyāsa)

• bhārata-ākhyānam: the narrative called Bhārata (Mahābhārata)

• akhilam: entire/complete

• cakre: he made/composed

• tat: that

• upabṛṃhitam: expanded/enlarged/augmented

• lakṣeṇa ekena: with one lakh (100,000) [verses]

• yat: which

• proktam: was taught/declared

• veda-artha: the meanings/purport of the Veda

• paribṛṃhitam: fully elaborated/amply furnished (with).

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu) describing Vyasa’s scriptural compilation

Entities Mentioned

• Satyavati
• Vyasa
• Eighteen Puranas
• Mahabharata
• Veda

Tags

• Itihasa-Purana
• Vyasa
• Scriptural Authority
• Mahabharata
• Vedic Meaning

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes textual preservation of dharma and Vedic meaning through Vyāsa’s composition of the Purāṇas and the expanded Bhārata.

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

By presenting the Mahābhārata as “Veda-meaning made accessible,” it implies that kings and householders should learn dharma and right conduct from Itihāsa–Purāṇa when direct Vedic study is difficult.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the significance is broader—Purāṇic literature functions as an authoritative guide that elsewhere includes ritual procedures and sacred regulations.