Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

अतिथिस्तु कुशाज्जज्ञे निषधस्तस्य चात्मजः नलस्तु नैषधस्तस्मान् नभास्तस्मादजायत //

Transliteration

atithistu kuśājjajñe niṣadhastasya cātmajaḥ nalastu naiṣadhastasmān nabhāstasmādajāyata //

Translation

From Kuśa was born Atithi; his son was Niṣadha. From Niṣadha was born Nala, famed as Naiṣadha; and from Nala was born Nabhā.

Word by Word

• atithiḥ: Atithi (a proper name)

• tu: indeed/then

• kuśāt: from Kuśa

• jajñe: was born

• niṣadhaḥ: Niṣadha (proper name)

• tasya: of him

• ca: and

• ātmajaḥ: son

• nalaḥ: Nala (proper name)

• tu: indeed/then

• naiṣadhaḥ: Naiṣadha (descendant/king of Niṣadha)

• tasmāt: from him/from that (ancestor)

• nabhāḥ: Nabhā (proper name)

• tasmāt: from him

• ajāyata: was born

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting the Purāṇic genealogy (traditional framing)

Entities Mentioned

• Kuśa
• Atithi
• Niṣadha
• Nala (Naiṣadha)
• Nabhā

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Ikshvaku lineage
• Puranic kings
• Vamsha

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it preserves dynastic continuity by listing successive births in a royal genealogy.

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

Indirectly, it situates kings like Nala within a lineage, a Purāṇic way of emphasizing inherited responsibility (rājadharma) and the continuity of social order through legitimate succession.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the focus is purely genealogical (vamśa), naming ancestors and descendants.