Shloka 11

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

Devanagari script

तथेत्युक्तास्ततस्ते तु जग्मुर् वैवस्वतात्मजाः इक्ष्वाकोश्चाश्वमेधेन चेलः किम्पुरुषो ऽभवत् //

Transliteration

tathetyuktāstataste tu jagmur vaivasvatātmajāḥ ikṣvākoścāśvamedhena celaḥ kimpuruṣo 'bhavat //

Translation

Having said, “So be it,” the sons of Vaivasvata (Manu) then departed. And Ikṣvāku, by performing the Aśvamedha sacrifice, became (renowned as) Cela, the Kiṃpuruṣa.

Word by Word

• tathā iti: “so / thus”

• uktāḥ: having said / having spoken

• tataḥ: thereafter

• te tu: they indeed

• jagmuḥ: went / departed

• vaivasvata-ātmajāḥ: the sons of Vaivasvata (Manu)

• ikṣvākaḥ: Ikshvaku

• ca: and

• aśvamedhena: by (means of) the Aśvamedha horse-sacrifice

• celaḥ: (named) Cela (a proper name/epithet)

• kimpuruṣaḥ: a Kimpuruṣa (a semi-divine human-like being / a class of beings)

• abhavat: became / came to be

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) reporting the dynastic account (as transmitted in the Matsya Purana’s dialogue tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Ikṣvāku
• Aśvamedha
• Kimpuruṣa
• Cela

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Suryavamsa
• Aśvamedha
• Puranic History

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it continues the post-Deluge genealogical stream by noting the movements of Vaivasvata Manu’s sons and Ikṣvāku’s rise through ritual merit.

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

It highlights royal dharma through the Aśvamedha: the king gains legitimacy and fame by performing Vedic state-rituals, implying that righteous rule is supported by sanctioned yajña and adherence to tradition.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: the Aśvamedha sacrifice is presented as a transformative, status-conferring rite associated with sovereignty and dynastic establishment.