Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

उशना तु सुयज्ञस्य यो रक्षन्पृथिवीमिमाम् आजहाराश्वमेधानां शतमुत्तमधार्मिकः //

Transliteration

uśanā tu suyajñasya yo rakṣanpṛthivīmimām ājahārāśvamedhānāṃ śatamuttamadhārmikaḥ //

Translation

But Uśanā, while protecting this earth on behalf of Suyajña, performed a hundred Aśvamedha sacrifices; he was a supremely righteous upholder of dharma.

Word by Word

• uśanā: Uśanā (a person named Uśanā)

• tu: but/indeed

• suyajñasya: of Suyajña

• yaḥ: who

• rakṣan: protecting/guarding

• pṛthivīm: the earth

• imām: this

• ājahāra: performed/undertook (lit. brought about)

• aśvamedhānām: of Aśvamedha (horse-sacrifices)

• śatam: a hundred

• uttama-dhārmikaḥ: most excellent in dharma/supremely righteous

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) narrating to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Uśanā
• Suyajña
• Aśvamedha

Tags

• Dynasties
• Dharma
• Royal duties
• Vedic sacrifices
• Genealogy

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it highlights dharmic kingship and sacrificial merit within genealogical narration rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It links ideal rulership with two core duties: protecting the realm (“guarding the earth”) and upholding Vedic order through major public rites like the Aśvamedha—portraying sovereignty as service to dharma, not mere power.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: the Aśvamedha is cited as a peak royal sacrifice, signaling imperial authority and dharmic legitimacy (useful for readers seeking Matsya Purana ritual references rather than Vastu rules).