Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Paurava Genealogy

Devanagari script

पञ्चानां चैव पञ्चालान् एताञ्जनपदान्विदुः पञ्चालरक्षिणो ह्य् एते देशानामिति नः श्रुतम् //

Transliteration

pañcānāṃ caiva pañcālān etāñjanapadānviduḥ pañcālarakṣiṇo hy ete deśānāmiti naḥ śrutam //

Translation

These are known as the five Pañcālas—these territorial realms (janapadas). Indeed, they are said to be the protectors of these regions; so we have heard.

Word by Word

• pañcānām: of the five

• ca eva: and indeed

• pañcālān: (the) Pañcālas

• etān: these

• janapadān: territorial states/realms

• viduḥ: (they) know/are known

• pañcāla-rakṣiṇaḥ: protectors/guardians associated with the Pañcālas

• hi: indeed

• ete: these

• deśānām: of the countries/regions

• iti: thus

• naḥ: by us/for us

• śrutam: heard (in tradition).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) relaying traditional knowledge within the Matsya Purana’s janapada description

Entities Mentioned

• Pañcāla
• Janapada

Tags

• Janapadas
• Ancient Indian geography
• Dynasties
• Regional guardians
• Puranic ethnography

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a geographic-political listing, identifying the Pañcālas as five janapadas and describing them as guardians of regions.

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

By calling certain groups “protectors of the regions,” it echoes the Rajadharma ideal that territories require guardianship—order, defense, and stewardship—functions typically associated with rulers and their allied clans.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu/ritual rule appears here; the relevance is indirect—janapada classification and regional identity often frame where specific rites, temple traditions, and local administrative customs are practiced.