Shloka 43

Matsya Purana — Lineage of Yayāti through Yadu and the Deeds of Kārtavīrya Arjuna

Devanagari script

छित्त्वा बाहुसहस्रं ते प्रथमं तरसा बली तपस्वी ब्राह्मणश्च त्वां स वधिष्यति भार्गव //

Transliteration

chittvā bāhusahasraṃ te prathamaṃ tarasā balī tapasvī brāhmaṇaśca tvāṃ sa vadhiṣyati bhārgava //

Translation

First, with irresistible force, that mighty ascetic brāhmaṇa—Bhārgava—will cut off your thousand arms; then he will slay you.

Word by Word

• छित्त्वा (chittvā): having cut off

• बाहुसहस्रम् (bāhusahasram): a thousand arms

• ते (te): your

• प्रथमम् (prathamam): first

• तरसा (tarasā): with swift/overpowering force

• बली (balī): the mighty one

• तपस्वी (tapasvī): ascetic, practicing austerities

• ब्राह्मणः (brāhmaṇaḥ): a brāhmaṇa

• च (ca): and

• त्वाम् (tvām): you

• स (sa): he

• वधिष्यति (vadhiṣyati): will kill/slay

• भार्गव (bhārgava): O Bhārgava / the Bhārgava (Paraśurāma).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) narrating to Vaivasvata Manu (context: puranic royal history)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhārgava (Paraśurāma)
• Ascetic Brāhmaṇa
• Thousand-armed king (Sahasrārjuna/Kārtavīryārjuna implied)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Kshatriya-Brahmana conflict
• Bhargava
• Karma
• Royal pride

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it teaches a historical-dharmic point: ascetic power (tapas) allied with righteousness can overcome even a seemingly invincible warrior-king.

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

It warns rulers against arrogance and misuse of power: a king’s duty is protection through dharma, not oppression—otherwise he meets downfall when confronted by a righteous, disciplined opponent.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the focus is ethical-historical—tapas and dharma are portrayed as decisive forces in social order.