Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

चाक्षुषस्यान्वये राजा चाक्षुषस्यान्तरे मनोः स वै नृपगुणैर्युक्तः केवलं रूपवर्जितः //

Transliteration

cākṣuṣasyānvaye rājā cākṣuṣasyāntare manoḥ sa vai nṛpaguṇairyuktaḥ kevalaṃ rūpavarjitaḥ //

Translation

In the lineage of Cākṣuṣa Manu, during the Manvantara of Cākṣuṣa, there was a king endowed with all the virtues of a ruler, yet he alone was devoid of physical beauty.

Word by Word

• cākṣuṣasya: of Cākṣuṣa (Manu)

• anvaye: in the lineage/descendant line

• rājā: king

• cākṣuṣasya antare: in the period (Manvantara) of Cākṣuṣa

• manoḥ: of Manu

• sa: he

• vai: indeed

• nṛpa-guṇaiḥ: with kingly qualities/royal virtues

• yuktaḥ: endowed, possessed

• kevalam: only, merely

• rūpa-varjitaḥ: lacking beauty/form, devoid of comeliness

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing dynastic history within the Matsya Purana’s genealogical discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Cākṣuṣa Manu
• Manvantara
• King (unnamed in this verse)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Manvantaras
• Genealogy
• Kingship
• Rajadharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it belongs to the Manvantara-genealogy material, focusing on kingship within Cākṣuṣa Manu’s era.

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

It emphasizes that true kingship is measured by nṛpaguṇas (royal virtues)—competence, conduct, and dharmic qualities—rather than outward appearance, implying ethical fitness over physical charm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; its significance is genealogical and ethical (valuation of virtue over beauty).