Shloka 86

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

परत्वेन ऋषन्ते वै भूतादीनृषिकास्ततः ऋषिकाणां सुता ये तु विज्ञेया ऋषिपुत्रकाः //

Transliteration

paratvena ṛṣante vai bhūtādīnṛṣikāstataḥ ṛṣikāṇāṃ sutā ye tu vijñeyā ṛṣiputrakāḥ //

Translation

Those who, by their superior (spiritual) status, are called ‘ṛṣis’—beginning with the primordial beings such as Bhūta—are therefore termed ṛṣikās; and those born as the sons of the ṛṣikās are to be understood as ‘ṛṣiputrakas’ (sons of sages).

Word by Word

• परत्वेन: by superiority/loftiness (of status)

• ऋषन्ते: are called/are regarded as ṛṣis

• वै: indeed

• भूतादीन्: the primordial beings and others (beginning with ‘bhūtas’)

• ऋषिकाः: female sages / a class termed ‘ṛṣikā’

• ततः: therefore/thereupon

• ऋषिकाणाम्: of the ṛṣikās

• सुताः: sons/offspring

• ये: who

• तु: and/but

• विज्ञेयाः: should be known/understood

• ऋषिपुत्रकाः: ‘sons of sages’ (ṛṣi-putrakas)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Ṛṣi
• Ṛṣikā
• Ṛṣiputraka
• Bhūtas (primordial beings)

Tags

• Genealogies
• Rishi-classification
• Puranic terminology
• Lineages
• Dharma (nomenclature)

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it clarifies a technical classification of sages and their descendants used in Puranic accounts of creation-era beings and lineages.

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

By defining who counts as ṛṣi, ṛṣikā, and ṛṣiputraka, it supports correct recognition of spiritual authority—important for kings and householders when honoring teachers, performing gifts (dāna), and following counsel in dharma and ritual.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is classificatory—identifying eligible sage-lineages referenced in rites, genealogical recitations, and honorific protocols.