Shloka 40

Matsya Purana — Paurava Genealogy: Bharata

Devanagari script

उरुक्षवाः स्मृता ह्य् एते सर्वे ब्राह्मणतां गताः काव्यानां तु वरा ह्य् एते त्रयः प्रोक्ता महर्षयः //

Transliteration

urukṣavāḥ smṛtā hy ete sarve brāhmaṇatāṃ gatāḥ kāvyānāṃ tu varā hy ete trayaḥ proktā maharṣayaḥ //

Translation

These are remembered as the Urukṣavas; all of them attained the state of Brahminhood. Among the composers of kāvya (sacred poetry), these three are declared to be the foremost great seers (mahārṣis).

Word by Word

• urukṣavāḥ: the Urukṣavas (a named group/lineage)

• smṛtāḥ: remembered, traditionally known

• hi: indeed

• ete: these

• sarve: all

• brāhmaṇatām: Brahmin status, the condition of being a brāhmaṇa

• gatāḥ: having gone to, having attained

• kāvyānām: of kāvya (sacred/poetic compositions)

• tu: but, and

• varāḥ: the best, excellent

• hi: indeed

• ete: these

• trayaḥ: three

• proktāḥ: are said, are declared

• maharṣayaḥ: great rishis, great seers.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution typical to Matsya Purana narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Urukṣavas
• Maharṣis
• Brāhmaṇatā
• Kāvya

Tags

• RishiLineages
• Genealogy
• KāvyaTradition
• Brahminhood
• PuranicSeers

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on rishi lineages and the recognition of certain seers as foremost among kāvya composers.

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

Indirectly, it supports the dharmic ideal that rulers and householders should honor Brahmins and rishis—especially authoritative seers and transmitters of sacred knowledge—since they preserve tradition (smṛti) and guide righteous conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is reverence for recognized maharṣis and the authoritative transmission of sacred poetic/ritual knowledge (kāvya) within tradition.