Shloka 76

Matsya Purana — Paurava Genealogy

Devanagari script

अन्धाः शकाः पुलिन्दाश्च चूलिका यवनास्तथा कैवर्ताभीरशबरा ये चान्ये म्लेच्छसम्भवाः पर्यायतः प्रवक्ष्यामि नामतश्चैव तान्नृपान् //

Transliteration

andhāḥ śakāḥ pulindāśca cūlikā yavanāstathā kaivartābhīraśabarā ye cānye mlecchasambhavāḥ paryāyataḥ pravakṣyāmi nāmataścaiva tānnṛpān //

Translation

Andhas, Śakas, Pulindas, Cūlikas, and likewise the Yavanas; the Kaivartas, Ābhīras, and Śabaras—together with other peoples said to be of mleccha origin: in due order I shall proclaim those kings also, by their names.

Word by Word

• अन्धाः (andhāḥ): Andha people

• शकाः (śakāḥ): Śakas/Scythians

• पुलिन्दाः (pulindāḥ): Pulindas (forest/tribal groups)

• चूलिकाः (cūlikāḥ): Cūlikas (a people/tribe)

• यवनाः (yavanāḥ): Yavanas (Greeks/foreigners in Purāṇic usage)

• तथा (tathā): and likewise

• कैवर्त (kaivarta): Kaivarta community (fisherfolk/riverine people)

• आभीर (ābhīra): Ābhīras (pastoral people)

• शबर (śabara): Śabaras (tribal/forest people)

• ये च अन्ये (ye cānye): and those others

• म्लेच्छ-सम्भवाः (mleccha-sambhavāḥ): considered of mleccha/foreign origin

• पर्यायतः (paryāyataḥ): in sequence, in proper order

• प्रवक्ष्यामि (pravakṣyāmi): I shall declare, I shall describe

• नामतः (nāmataḥ): by name

• च एव (caiva): and indeed/also

• तान् (tān): those

• नृपान् (nṛpān): kings, rulers.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Andhas
• Śakas
• Pulindas
• Cūlikas
• Yavanas
• Kaivartas
• Ābhīras
• Śabaras
• Mlecchas
• Kings (Nṛpas)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Ancient Indian genealogy
• Mleccha kings
• Ethno-historical catalogues
• Puranic geography

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it shifts to an ethno-political catalogue, announcing an ordered listing of rulers among groups described as mleccha-origin.

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

Indirectly, it frames kingship historically: by naming lineages and rulers, the Purana provides a political memory that later supports dharma-discussions on legitimate rule, succession, and the governance of diverse peoples.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is on identifying peoples and promising a sequential naming of their kings.