Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Ila–Sudyumna Episode and the Expansion of the Ikṣvāku

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच अथान्विषन्तो राजानं भ्रातरस् तस्य मानवाः इक्ष्वाकुप्रमुखा जग्मुस् तदा शरवणान्तिकम् //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca athānviṣanto rājānaṃ bhrātaras tasya mānavāḥ ikṣvākupramukhā jagmus tadā śaravaṇāntikam //

Translation

Sūta said: Then those Mānavas—his brothers—set out in search of the king; with Ikṣvāku at their head, they went at that time to the vicinity of Śaravaṇa.

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ uvāca: Sūta said

• atha: then

• anviṣantaḥ: searching for

• rājānam: the king

• bhrātaraḥ: the brothers

• tasya: of him/that (king)

• mānavāḥ: the Mānavas (descendants/kinsmen of Manu)

• ikṣvāku-pramukhāḥ: with Ikṣvāku as the leader/chief

• jagmuḥ: went

• tadā: at that time

• śaravaṇa-antikam: near Śaravaṇa / to the vicinity of Śaravaṇa

Speaker

• Sūta (Sūta Ugraśravas)

Entities Mentioned

• Sūta
• Ikṣvāku
• Mānavas
• Śaravaṇa

Tags

• Dynasties
• Ikshvaku
• Genealogy
• Royal narrative
• Search episode

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it functions as a dynastic narrative transition, describing a royal search led by Ikṣvāku.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the political ethic of safeguarding kingship and continuity: kinsmen actively seek and restore the rightful ruler, supporting social order (rājadharma) through loyalty and coordinated action.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated; the only locational marker is “near Śaravaṇa,” used to situate the episode geographically.