Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

रामठाः कण्टकाराश्च कैकेया दशनामकाः क्षत्रियोपनिवेश्याश्च वैश्याः शूद्रकुलानि च //

Transliteration

rāmaṭhāḥ kaṇṭakārāśca kaikeyā daśanāmakāḥ kṣatriyopaniveśyāśca vaiśyāḥ śūdrakulāni ca //

Translation

The Rāmaṭhas and the Kaṇṭakāras; the Kaikeyas and those known as the Daśanāmaka; likewise the settlements of Kṣatriyas, as well as the Vaiśyas and the clans of Śūdras.

Word by Word

• रामठाः (rāmaṭhāḥ): the Rāmaṭhas (a people/tribe)

• कण्टकाराः (kaṇṭakārāḥ): the Kaṇṭakāras (a people/tribe)

• च (ca): and

• कैकेयाः (kaikeyāḥ): the Kaikeyas (a people/kingdom)

• दशनामकाः (daśanāmakāḥ): those bearing the name ‘Daśanāmaka’ (a named group/people)

• क्षत्रियोपनिवेश्याः (kṣatriyopaniveśyāḥ): Kṣatriya settlements/colonies (kṣatriya + upaniveśa)

• वैश्याः (vaiśyāḥ): Vaiśyas (merchant/agricultural class)

• शूद्रकुलानि (śūdra-kulāni): Śūdra clans/lineages

• च (ca): and.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) reporting the Matsya Purana’s list of peoples and social groupings

Entities Mentioned

• Rāmaṭhas
• Kaṇṭakāras
• Kaikeyas
• Daśanāmaka
• Kṣatriyas
• Vaiśyas
• Śūdras

Tags

• Dynasties
• Peoples
• Ancient Indian genealogy
• Varna
• Settlements

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it functions as an ethnographic/genealogical register, naming peoples and social group settlements recognized in the Purana’s world-map tradition.

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

Indirectly, it frames society as composed of distinct peoples and varṇa-based communities (Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, Śūdra), implying the king’s duty to govern and protect diverse settlements and lineages according to dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule appears here; however, the term upaniveśa (“settlement/colony”) is relevant to how the Purana conceptualizes organized habitation and community distribution.