Matsya Purana — Dynastic Genealogies: Paurava–Anu Lines, Shloka 108

Devanagari script

सत्यकर्मणो ऽधिरथः सूतश्चाधिरथः स्मृतः यः कर्णं प्रतिजग्राह तेन कर्णस्तु सूतजः तच्चेदं सर्वमाख्यातं कर्णं प्रति यथोदितम् //

Transliteration

satyakarmaṇo 'dhirathaḥ sūtaścādhirathaḥ smṛtaḥ yaḥ karṇaṃ pratijagrāha tena karṇastu sūtajaḥ taccedaṃ sarvamākhyātaṃ karṇaṃ prati yathoditam //

Translation

Adhiratha—also remembered as a sūta (charioteer)—was the son of Satyakarman. Since it was he who received and reared Karṇa, Karṇa is therefore spoken of as the son of a sūta. Thus has this entire account concerning Karṇa been related, exactly as stated.

Word by Word

• सत्यकर्मणः (satyakarmaṇaḥ): of Satyakarman

• अधिरथः (adhirathaḥ): Adhiratha

• सूतः (sūtaḥ): charioteer/bard (suta)

• च (ca): and

• अधिरथः स्मृतः (adhirathaḥ smṛtaḥ): Adhiratha is remembered/known (as)

• यः (yaḥ): who

• कर्णम् (karṇam): Karṇa

• प्रतिजग्राह (pratijagrāha): accepted/took in

• तेन (tena): therefore/by that (fact)

• कर्णः (karṇaḥ): Karṇa

• तु (tu): indeed/thus

• सूतजः (sūtajaḥ): born of/son of a sūta

• तत् (tat): that

• च (ca): and

• इदम् (idam): this

• सर्वम् (sarvam): all/entire

• आख्यातम् (ākhyātam): has been narrated

• कर्णम् प्रति (karṇam prati): concerning Karṇa

• यथा (yathā): as

• उदितम् (uditam): was said/stated

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting the genealogy/episode within the Matsya Purana discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Satyakarman
• Adhiratha
• Suta (charioteer class)
• Karna

Tags

• Genealogy
• Mahabharata-linked lore
• Dynasties
• Lineage
• Social identity (Suta)

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is genealogical, clarifying Karṇa’s social/household affiliation through Adhiratha rather than describing pralaya (cosmic dissolution).

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

Indirectly, it frames identity through lawful guardianship and acknowledged lineage: Adhiratha’s act of accepting and raising Karṇa establishes how society recognizes parentage and status—an ethical-social principle relevant to household order and royal record-keeping of dynasties.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

None is stated here; the verse focuses on lineage and narration, not on Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips, temple architecture rules, or ritual procedure.