Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Solar Dynasty Prelude: Vivasvān–Saṃjñā–Chāyā

Devanagari script

अभिषिच्य मनुः पुत्रम् इलं ज्येष्ठं स धार्मिकः जगाम तपसे भूयः स महेन्द्रवनालयम् //

Transliteration

abhiṣicya manuḥ putram ilaṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ sa dhārmikaḥ jagāma tapase bhūyaḥ sa mahendravanālayam //

Translation

Having anointed his eldest son Ila as king, the righteous Manu departed once more for austerities, going to the forest-dwelling at Mahendra.

Word by Word

• अभिषिच्य (abhiṣicya): having consecrated/anointed

• मनुः (manuḥ): Manu

• पुत्रम् (putram): his son

• इलं (ilaṃ): Ila

• ज्येष्ठं (jyeṣṭham): the eldest/firstborn

• स (sa): he

• धार्मिकः (dhārmikaḥ): righteous, devoted to dharma

• जगाम (jagāma): went, departed

• तपसे (tapase): for austerity/penance

• भूयः (bhūyaḥ): again, once more

• महेन्द्र-वन-आलयम् (mahendra-vana-ālayam): the forest-abode in/at Mahendra (Mahendra’s woodland hermitage).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting the lineage episode within the Matsya Purana’s discourse framework

Entities Mentioned

• Manu
• Ila
• Mahendra

Tags

• Dynasties
• Dharma
• Rajadharma
• Tapas
• Manvantaras

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe Pralaya; it highlights post-succession conduct—Manu stabilizes worldly order by enthroning an heir and then turns to tapas, a Purāṇic pattern that supports cosmic and social continuity.

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

It presents a Rajadharma ideal: a ruler ensures orderly succession (abhiṣeka of the eldest/fit heir) before pursuing renunciation; governance and spiritual life are shown as sequential responsibilities rather than competing aims.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual element is the royal abhiṣeka (consecration/anointing), a key coronation rite; no Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated, but the verse underscores the legitimacy conferred through proper ritual installation.