Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Kārtavīrya Arjuna’s Solar Boon and the Genealogy from Kroṣṭu to the Yādava Lines

Devanagari script

*ऋषय ऊचुः किमर्थं तद्वनं दग्धम् आपवस्य महात्मनः कार्तवीर्येण विक्रम्य सूत प्रब्रूहि तत्त्वतः //

Transliteration

*ṛṣaya ūcuḥ kimarthaṃ tadvanaṃ dagdham āpavasya mahātmanaḥ kārtavīryeṇa vikramya sūta prabrūhi tattvataḥ //

Translation

The sages said: “For what reason was that forest—belonging to the great-souled Āpava—burned after it was overrun by Kārtavīrya? O Sūta, tell us the truth precisely.”

Word by Word

• ṛṣayaḥ: the sages

• ūcuḥ: said

• kimartham: for what reason/why

• tat: that

• vanam: forest

• dagdham: burned

• āpavasya: of Āpava

• mahātmanaḥ: of the great-souled one

• kārtavīryeṇa: by Kārtavīrya (Arjuna)

• vikramya: having overpowered/overrun, having displayed prowess

• sūta: O Sūta (charioteer-bard/narrator)

• prabrūhi: tell, explain

• tattvataḥ: truly, accurately, in accordance with reality.

Speaker

• The sages (Ṛṣis), addressing Sūta

Entities Mentioned

• Ṛṣis
• Sūta
• Kārtavīrya (Arjuna)
• Āpava

Tags

• Dynasties
• Royal exploits
• Puranic narrative
• Genealogy
• Inquiry

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it introduces a historical-legendary inquiry into a king’s act (the burning of a forest) and its true cause.

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

By questioning why a forest was burned, the sages implicitly spotlight royal accountability—kings’ displays of power must be examined for their ethical cause and consequences (harm to ascetics, property, and dharma).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu/ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it functions as a narrative transition, setting up an explanation of events that may later carry dharmic or ritual implications.