Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Paurava Genealogy

Devanagari script

शरद्वतस्तु दायादम् अहल्या सम्प्रसूयत शतानन्दमृषिश्रेष्ठं तस्यापि सुमहातपाः //

Transliteration

śaradvatastu dāyādam ahalyā samprasūyata śatānandamṛṣiśreṣṭhaṃ tasyāpi sumahātapāḥ //

Translation

Ahalyā bore to Śaradvat a rightful heir—Śatānanda, the foremost among sages; and he too was a great ascetic, endowed with intense austerity.

Word by Word

śaradvatastuof Śaradvat indeed

dāyādamheir/legitimate offspring

ahalyāAhalyā

samprasūyatagave birth/bore

śatānandam(named) Śatānanda

ṛṣiśreṣṭhambest/foremost of sages

tasya apiof him also/and he too

su-mahā-tapāḥpossessing very great austerity, a great ascetic

Speaker

Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing genealogical lineage

Entities Mentioned

ŚaradvatAhalyāŚatānanda

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it records a lineage detail—Ahalyā bearing Śatānanda to Śaradvat—highlighting continuity of rishi lines rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it upholds the Purāṇic ideal of legitimate succession (dāyāda) and the social esteem of tapas: rulers and householders are encouraged to honor learned ascetics and maintain lawful lineage and dharmic continuity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit vāstu or temple-ritual rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is the Purāṇic emphasis on venerating great ascetics (mahā-tapasvin) within dharmic society.