Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

ताभ्यामाराधितः पूर्वम् और्वो ऽग्निः पुत्रकाम्यया और्वस्तुष्टस्तयोः प्रादाद् यथेष्टं वरमुत्तमम् //

Transliteration

tābhyāmārādhitaḥ pūrvam aurvo 'gniḥ putrakāmyayā aurvastuṣṭastayoḥ prādād yatheṣṭaṃ varamuttamam //

Translation

Formerly, those two worshipped the Aurva-fire with the desire for a son. Pleased, Aurva granted them an excellent boon according to their wish.

Word by Word

• ताभ्याम् (tābhyām): by those two

• आराधितः (ārādhitaḥ): worshipped, propitiated

• पूर्वम् (pūrvam): formerly, earlier

• और्वः (aurvaḥ): Aurva (connected with Sage Aurva / the Aurva fire)

• अग्निः (agniḥ): fire, sacrificial fire

• पुत्रकाम्यया (putrakāmyayā): with the desire for a son (for progeny)

• और्वः (aurvaḥ): Aurva

• तुष्टः (tuṣṭaḥ): pleased, satisfied

• तयोः (tayoḥ): to them, of those two

• प्रादात् (prādāt): gave, granted

• यथेष्टम् (yatheṣṭam): as desired, according to wish

• वरम् (varam): boon

• उत्तमम् (uttamam): excellent, supreme

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (narrating to Vaivasvata Manu in the broader dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Aurva
• Agni (sacrificial fire)

Tags

• Putrakameshti
• Boon
• Agni
• Genealogy
• Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it highlights ritual propitiation and the granting of a boon for progeny within a lineage narrative.

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

It reflects the householder ideal of seeking progeny through sanctioned ritual worship (ārādhana) and receiving results through divine/sacrificial grace, aligning desire (kāma) with dharmic means.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is central: worship of Agni (sacrificial fire) for putrakāmyā (desire for a son), implying a formal rite of propitiation where Agni functions as the mediator of boons.