Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Inquiry into Yayāti’s Story and the Kacha–Devayānī Episode

Devanagari script

एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं विस्तरेण तपोधन आनुपूर्व्याच्च मे शंस पूरोर्वंशधरान्नृपान् //

Transliteration

etadicchāmyahaṃ śrotuṃ vistareṇa tapodhana ānupūrvyācca me śaṃsa pūrorvaṃśadharānnṛpān //

Translation

I wish to hear this in detail, O treasure of austerity. Please recount to me, in proper sequence, the kings who were the descendants and upholders of Puru’s lineage.

Word by Word

• etad: this (account/topic)

• icchāmi: I desire

• aham: I

• śrotum: to hear

• vistareṇa: in detail/at length

• tapodhana: O wealth of tapas (ascetic merit), O sage

• ānupūrvyāt: in due order, sequentially

• ca: and

• me: to me

• śaṁsa: tell, relate, recount

• pūroḥ: of Puru

• vaṁśadharān: lineage-bearers, maintainers of the dynasty

• nṛpān: kings

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (inquiry to a sage/narrator within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Puru
• Paurava dynasty
• Kings (Nṛpas)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Puru
• Itihasa
• Royal lineages

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it introduces a request to narrate the Puru dynasty’s kings in chronological order, indicating the text’s historical-genealogical focus here.

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

By asking for the “lineage-bearers” (vaṁśadharān), the verse highlights the Purāṇic ideal that kings preserve dharma, continuity, and social order—core responsibilities of righteous rulership and household continuity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; its immediate significance is genealogical—setting up a structured narration of royal succession.