Shloka 64

Matsya Purana — Dynastic Genealogies: Paurava–Anu Lines

Devanagari script

*राजोवाच प्रवीणान् ऋषिधर्मस्य चेश्वरान् ब्रह्मवादिनः विद्वान् प्रत्यक्षधर्माणां बुद्धिमान् वृत्तिमाञ्छुचीन् //

Transliteration

*rājovāca pravīṇān ṛṣidharmasya ceśvarān brahmavādinaḥ vidvān pratyakṣadharmāṇāṃ buddhimān vṛttimāñchucīn //

Translation

The king said: “(One should seek) those who are skilled—masters of the sages’ dharma—teachers who expound Brahman, learned in the directly knowable principles of righteousness, intelligent, of good conduct, and pure.”

Word by Word

• rājā uvāca: the king said

• pravīṇān: the skilled/adept

• ṛṣi-dharmasya: of the sages’ dharma (ascetic-ethical law)

• ca: and

• īśvarān: authorities/masters

• brahma-vādinaḥ: expounders of Brahman/Vedic doctrine

• vidvān: learned

• pratyakṣa-dharmāṇām: of dharmas evident by direct perception/practical moral truths

• buddhimān: intelligent/discerning

• vṛttimān: possessed of right conduct/good livelihood

• śucīn: pure/clean (in character and practice)

Speaker

• The King (Rājā)

Entities Mentioned

• Rājā (King)
• Ṛṣis (Sages)
• Brahmavādins (Vedic theologians)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Dharma
• Kingship
• Counsel
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on ethical governance—identifying the qualities of authoritative, pure, and learned advisers for a king.

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

It frames a core duty of kingship: relying on competent, dharma-grounded counsel—those learned in Vedic wisdom and also in practical, directly verifiable moral principles, with proven conduct and purity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule appears here; indirectly, it implies that ritual or administrative decisions (including temple or civic works) should be guided by pure, learned Brahmavādins and capable experts.