Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — The Kauśika Descendants: Śrāddha

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच कौशिको नाम धर्मात्मा कुरुक्षेत्रे महानृषिः नामतः कर्मतस्तस्य सुतान्सप्त निबोधत //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca kauśiko nāma dharmātmā kurukṣetre mahānṛṣiḥ nāmataḥ karmatastasya sutānsapta nibodhata //

Translation

Sūta said: In Kurukṣetra there was a great sage named Kauśika, righteous in spirit. Now learn about his seven sons—both by their names and by their deeds.

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ: Sūta (the narrator)

• uvāca: said

• kauśikaḥ: Kauśika

• nāma: by name / named

• dharmātmā: righteous-souled, devoted to dharma

• kurukṣetre: in Kurukṣetra

• mahānṛṣiḥ: great sage

• nāmataḥ: by their names

• karmatataḥ: by their actions/deeds

• tasya: of him (Kauśika)

• sutān: sons

• sapta: seven

• nibodhata: learn/understand (now), take note

Speaker

• Sūta (Sūta Ugraśravas)

Entities Mentioned

• Sūta
• Kauśika
• Kurukṣetra

Tags

• Kurukshetra
• Rishi lineage
• Genealogy
• Dharma
• Purana narration

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it introduces a righteous sage (Kauśika) and signals a genealogical/biographical narration about his seven sons.

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

Indirectly, it foregrounds dharma by praising Kauśika as dharmātmā (righteous-souled), setting an ethical tone: character is evaluated not only by name but also by karma (deeds), a key Purāṇic standard for rulers and householders alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse functions as a narrative transition into a lineage/account, likely to ground later teachings or exempla in named persons and places.