Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच अथाहं वर्णयिष्यामि वर्षे ऽस्मिन्भारते प्रजाः भरणात्प्रजनाच्चैव मनुर्भरत उच्यते //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca athāhaṃ varṇayiṣyāmi varṣe 'sminbhārate prajāḥ bharaṇātprajanāccaiva manurbharata ucyate //

Translation

Sūta said: Now I shall describe the peoples in this land called Bhārata. Because he sustained them and also caused progeny to flourish, the Manu is called “Bharata”.

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ uvāca: Sūta said

• atha: now/then

• aham: I

• varṇayiṣyāmi: I shall describe

• varṣe: in the land/continent (varṣa)

• asmin: in this

• bhārate: called Bhārata

• prajāḥ: the subjects/peoples

• bharaṇāt: from sustaining/supporting

• prajanāt: from begetting/causing progeny/propagation

• ca eva: and indeed

• manuḥ: Manu (the progenitor/lawgiver)

• bharataḥ: Bharata (as an epithet/name)

• ucyate: is called/said to be

Speaker

• Suta

Entities Mentioned

• Suta
• Bharata
• Manu
• Bharata-varsha
• Prajah (subjects)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Bharata-varsha
• Etymology
• Puranic tradition

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it introduces a genealogical-geographical account of Bhārata-varṣa and explains the epithet ‘Bharata’ for Manu through sustaining and propagating the people.

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

It implies the core royal duty of bharaṇa—protecting and sustaining subjects—and the social duty of prajanā—ensuring orderly continuation of lineage and society—both presented as defining virtues of an ideal progenitor-ruler.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is etymology and the characterization of Manu as sustainer and propagator of the people in Bhārata-varṣa.