Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Paurava Genealogy: Bharata

Devanagari script

बृहत्क्षत्रस्य दायादो हस्तिनामा बभूव ह तेनेदं निर्मितं पूर्वं पुरं तु गजसाह्वयम् //

Transliteration

bṛhatkṣatrasya dāyādo hastināmā babhūva ha tenedaṃ nirmitaṃ pūrvaṃ puraṃ tu gajasāhvayam //

Translation

From Bṛhatkṣatra there arose an heir named Hastin; it was he who, in ancient times, built this city, which came to be known as Gajasāhvaya (Hastināpura).

Word by Word

• बृहत्क्षत्रस्य (bṛhatkṣatrasya): of Bṛhatkṣatra

• दायादः (dāyādaḥ): heir, successor

• हस्तिनामा (hastināmā): named Hastin

• बभूव ह (babhūva ha): indeed came to be/was born

• तेन (tena): by him

• इदम् (idaṃ): this

• निर्मितम् (nirmitam): built, constructed

• पूर्वम् (pūrvam): formerly, in ancient times

• पुरम् (puram): city

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• गजसाह्वयम् (gajasāhvayam): called ‘Gajasāhvaya’ (Elephant-named), i.e., Hastināpura

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting the dynastic tradition within the Matsya Purana’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Bṛhatkṣatra
• Hastin
• Gajasāhvaya (Hastināpura)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Hastinapura
• Kshatriya lineages
• Puranic history

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it preserves historical-memory style genealogy, identifying a royal founder and the early construction of a famed city.

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

By highlighting a successor who establishes a city, the verse reflects the kṣatriya ideal of stewardship—founding and maintaining civic centers for governance, protection, and prosperity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The architectural point is city-foundation (pura-nirmāṇa): Hastin is credited with constructing the settlement later known as Gajasāhvaya/Hastināpura, indicating the Purana’s interest in sacred-historical urban origins.