Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

*कार्तवीर्य उवाच न शक्याः स्थावराः सर्वे तेजसा च बलेन च निर्दग्धुं तपतां श्रेष्ठ तेन त्वां प्रणमाम्यहम् //

Transliteration

*kārtavīrya uvāca na śakyāḥ sthāvarāḥ sarve tejasā ca balena ca nirdagdhuṃ tapatāṃ śreṣṭha tena tvāṃ praṇamāmyaham //

Translation

Kārtavīrya said: “O best among ascetics, it is not possible to burn up all immovable beings—whether by tejas (splendor) or by sheer bala (strength). Therefore, I bow to you.”

Word by Word

• कार्तवीर्य (kārtavīrya): Kārtavīrya (the king)

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• न (na): not

• शक्याः (śakyāḥ): possible/able

• स्थावराः (sthāvarāḥ): immovable beings (stationary creatures/objects)

• सर्वे (sarve): all

• तेजसा (tejasā): by spiritual radiance/splendor

• च (ca): and

• बलेन (balena): by strength/power

• च (ca): and

• निर्दग्धुम् (nirdagdhuṃ): to burn up completely

• तपताम् (tapatāṃ): of ascetics/those practicing tapas

• श्रेष्ठ (śreṣṭha): best, foremost

• तेन (tena): therefore/for that reason

• त्वाम् (tvāṃ): to you

• प्रणमामि (praṇamāmi): I bow

• अहम् (aham): I

Speaker

• Kārtavīrya (Kārtavīrya Arjuna)

Entities Mentioned

• Kārtavīrya
• Tapasvī (foremost ascetic)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Tapas
• Royal humility
• Tejas
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes the limits of power (tejas and bala) and highlights reverence toward ascetic spiritual potency rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It presents a royal dharma model: even a powerful king acknowledges restraint and bows to spiritual authority, implying that rulership should be tempered by humility, self-control, and respect for tapas and dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-building rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is the act of praṇāma (bowing) as a marker of proper conduct and respectful approach to sages and sacred persons.