Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Paurava Genealogy

Devanagari script

शंतनुस्त्वभवद्राजा विद्वान्स वै महाभिषक् इदं चोदाहरन्त्यत्र श्लोकं प्रति महाभिषक् //

Transliteration

śaṃtanustvabhavadrājā vidvānsa vai mahābhiṣak idaṃ codāharantyatra ślokaṃ prati mahābhiṣak //

Translation

Śaṃtanu indeed became king—learned, and truly a great physician. In this context, they also cite here the following verse in praise of that great healer.

Word by Word

• शंतनुः: Śaṃtanu

• तु: indeed/and

• अभवत्: became

• राजा: king

• विद्वान्: learned/wise

• सः: he

• वै: indeed/truly

• महाभिषक्: great physician/master healer

• इदं: this

• च: and

• उदाहरन्ति: they cite/quote (as an example)

• अत्र: here/in this context

• श्लोकं: a verse

• प्रति: toward/in praise of/with reference to

• महाभिषक्: the great physician

Speaker

• Suta (Pauranic narrator) describing the lineage; traditional framing within Matsya Purana narration

Entities Mentioned

• Śaṃtanu
• Mahābhiṣak (epithet: great physician)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Kingship
• Ayurveda
• Praise-verse

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it belongs to a genealogical-royal narrative highlighting a king’s learning and healing skill.

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

It presents an ideal of kingship: a ruler should be learned (vidvān) and protective of public welfare—here emphasized through medical expertise (mahābhiṣak), implying care for subjects’ health as a royal duty.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated in this verse; it functions as a narrative transition indicating that a laudatory verse about the great physician-king will be quoted next.