Shloka 58

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

लम्पकान् आन्ध्रकांश्चापि चोरजातींस्तथैव च प्रवृत्तचक्रो बलवाञ् छूद्राणामन्तकृद्बभौ //

Transliteration

lampakān āndhrakāṃścāpi corajātīṃstathaiva ca pravṛttacakro balavāñ chūdrāṇāmantakṛdbabhau //

Translation

He powerfully set the wheel of conquest in motion, and he became a destroyer of the Lampakas, the Andhrakas, and likewise the thief-tribes—an exterminator of the Śūdras.

Word by Word

• लम्पकान् (lampakān): the Lampakas (a people/tribe)

• आन्ध्रकान् (āndhrakān): the Andhrakas (a people/tribe)

• च अपि (ca api): and also

• चोरजातीन् (corajātīn): tribes/classes of thieves, criminal clans

• तथा एव (tathaiva): likewise, in the same manner

• च (ca): and

• प्रवृत्त-चक्रः (pravṛtta-cakraḥ): one whose wheel (of rule/conquest) has been set in motion, one who launched a campaign

• बलवान् (balavān): powerful, strong

• शूद्राणाम् (śūdrāṇām): of the Śūdras

• अन्तकृत् (antakṛt): destroyer, slayer, bringer of an end

• बभौ (babhau): he shone forth, he became, he was renowned

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting dynastic history in the Matsya Purana

Entities Mentioned

• Lampakas
• Andhrakas
• Corajati (thief-tribes)
• Shudras

Tags

• Dynasties
• Kingship
• Conquest
• Law-and-order
• Genealogy

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it belongs to a dynastic narrative describing a king’s military suppression of hostile groups and criminal tribes.

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

It reflects the Purāṇic ideal of rājadharma where a king maintains security by restraining robbery and rebellion; the phrase “pravṛttacakra” suggests active governance through campaigns and enforcement.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it is focused on political control and punitive action in a lineage account.