Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Genealogy and Classification of Sacred Fires

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मौदनाग्निस् तत्पुत्रो भरतो नाम विश्रुतः वैश्वानरो हव्यवाहो वहन्हव्यं ममार सः //

Transliteration

brahmaudanāgnis tatputro bharato nāma viśrutaḥ vaiśvānaro havyavāho vahanhavyaṃ mamāra saḥ //

Translation

From Brahmaudanāgni, his son—famed by the name Bharata—was born. He was Vaiśvānara, the carrier of oblations (Havyavāha); bearing the offering, he met his end.

Word by Word

• brahmaudanāgniḥ: Brahmaudanāgni (a named Agni/personage)

• tat-putraḥ: his son

• bharataḥ: Bharata

• nāma: by name

• viśrutaḥ: renowned/famous

• vaiśvānaraḥ: Vaiśvānara (a form/name of Agni, the universal fire)

• havyavāhaḥ: the bearer of havis/oblations (Agni)

• vahan: carrying/bearing

• havyaṃ: the oblation/sacrificial offering

• mamāra: died/met death

• saḥ: he

Speaker

• Suta (Pauranika narrator) reporting the genealogy within the Matsya Purana’s dynastic account

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmaudanāgni
• Bharata
• Vaiśvānara
• Havyavāha (Agni)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Agni
• Vamsha
• Puranic lore

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it belongs to a genealogical passage, identifying Bharata with Agni-epithets (Vaiśvānara/Havyavāha) and noting his death.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the Purāṇic ideal that lineage and fame are tied to sacrificial culture: the king/householder sustains dharma through havis and yajña, with Agni (Havyavāha) as the essential mediator.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the key term is Havyavāha—Agni as the bearer of oblations—highlighting the centrality of the sacred fire in yajña procedures; no Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse.