Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Paurava Genealogy: Bharata

Devanagari script

दौष्यन्तीं प्रति राजानं वागूचे चाशरीरिणी माता भस्त्रा पितुः पुत्रो येन जातः स एव सः //

Transliteration

dauṣyantīṃ prati rājānaṃ vāgūce cāśarīriṇī mātā bhastrā pituḥ putro yena jātaḥ sa eva saḥ //

Translation

To King Duṣyanta, a bodiless voice then spoke: “The mother is like a bellows; the father is the true begetter—he from whom the son is born, he alone is (the real) father.”

Word by Word

• दौष्यन्तीम् (dauṣyantīm): to Duṣyanta

• प्रति (prati): towards/unto

• राजानम् (rājānam): the king

• वाक् (vāk): speech/voice

• ऊचे (ūce): said/spoke

• च (ca): and

• अशरीरिणी (aśarīriṇī): bodiless/incorporeal (voice)

• माता (mātā): mother

• भस्त्रा (bhastrā): bellows (metaphor: an instrument/vehicle)

• पितुः (pituḥ): of the father

• पुत्रः (putraḥ): son

• येन (yena): by whom/from whom

• जातः (jātaḥ): born/produced

• सः एव (sa eva): he alone/that very one

• सः (saḥ): he (is)

Speaker

• Aśarīriṇī Vāk (a bodiless heavenly voice)

Entities Mentioned

• Duṣyanta
• Aśarīriṇī (bodiless voice)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Kingship
• Lineage
• Paternity

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on lineage logic—affirming paternity and thus the legitimacy of succession in a royal-genealogical context.

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

By stressing clear paternity and rightful descent, it supports the king’s duty to uphold lawful succession and social order (dharma) through recognized lineage and inheritance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-ritual rule is stated here; the key takeaway is a metaphorical doctrine about procreation and lineage rather than architectural prescription.