Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — The Karmic Cause of Purūravas’ Beauty and Fortune

Devanagari script

अतीते जन्मनि पुरा यो ऽयं राजा पुरूरवाः पुरूरवा इति ख्यातो मद्रदेशाधिपो हि सः //

Transliteration

atīte janmani purā yo 'yaṃ rājā purūravāḥ purūravā iti khyāto madradeśādhipo hi saḥ //

Translation

In a former birth long ago, this very king—Purūravas, famed by the name “Purūravas”—was indeed the ruler of the Madra country.

Word by Word

• atīte: in the past

• janmani: in a birth (incarnation)

• purā: formerly/long ago

• yaḥ: who

• ayam: this (very person)

• rājā: king

• purūravāḥ: Purūravas

• purūravā iti: as “Purūravas”

• khyātaḥ: renowned/known

• madra-deśa-adhipaḥ: lord (ruler) of the Madra region

• hi: indeed/for

• saḥ: he

Speaker

• Likely Sūta (narrator) relating a dynastic account within the Matsya Purana’s lineage material

Entities Mentioned

• Purūravas
• Madra (Madradeśa)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Rebirth
• Kingship
• Ancient Indian geography

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is genealogical, identifying the king Purūravas and linking him to a former birth and the Madra region rather than describing Pralaya.

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

Indirectly, it frames kingship through lineage and territorial rule: Purūravas is presented as a recognized sovereign (adhipa) of Madra, reinforcing the Purāṇic emphasis on legitimate rule, reputation (khyāta), and continuity of royal identity across time.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

None is stated in this verse; it functions as a historical-geographical identification within a dynastic narrative, not as Vāstu or ritual instruction.