Shloka 25

Matsya Purana — The Gods Seek Śiva’s Refuge: The Cosmic Chariot Prepared for the Burning of T...

Devanagari script

धृतराष्ट्राश्च ये नागास् ते च वेश्यात्मकाः कृताः वासुकेः कुलजा ये च ये च रैवतवंशजाः //

Transliteration

dhṛtarāṣṭrāśca ye nāgās te ca veśyātmakāḥ kṛtāḥ vāsukeḥ kulajā ye ca ye ca raivatavaṃśajāḥ //

Translation

Those Nāgas known as the Dhṛtarāṣṭras were appointed to the condition of the vaiśya order; likewise, those born in Vāsuki’s lineage, and those descended from the Raivata line.

Word by Word

• धृतराष्ट्राः: the Dhṛtarāṣṭras (a Nāga group)

• च: and

• ये: who/which

• नागाः: Nāgas (serpent-clans)

• ते: they

• च: also

• वेश्यात्मकाः: having the nature/status of vaiśyas (merchant-agricultural class)

• कृताः: made/assigned/ordained

• वासुकेः: of Vāsuki

• कुलजाः: born in the clan/lineage

• ये: who

• च: and

• रैवतवंशजाः: born in the Raivata lineage

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) reporting the Purāṇic catalogue of beings and lineages

Entities Mentioned

• Dhṛtarāṣṭra Nāgas
• Nāgas
• Vāsuki
• Raivata lineage

Tags

• Ancient Indian genealogy
• Nāga dynasties
• Varna classification
• Puranic ethnography
• Matsya Purana lineages

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a genealogical/ethnographic catalogue, classifying certain Nāga groups and lineages rather than describing cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic worldview of social ordering (varna/status). For kings and householders, such catalogues support the idea of governing and living according to recognized social roles and inherited lineages.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse focuses on Nāga lineages (Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Vāsuki, Raivata) and their assigned social status.