Shloka 38

Matsya Purana — The Origin of Yajña in Tretā Yuga and the Debate on Animal Sacrifice vs. Non-...

Devanagari script

प्रियव्रतोत्तानपादौ ध्रुवो मेधातिथिर्वसुः सुधामा विरजाश्चैव शङ्खपाद्राजसस्तथा //

Transliteration

priyavratottānapādau dhruvo medhātithirvasuḥ sudhāmā virajāścaiva śaṅkhapādrājasastathā //

Translation

Priyavrata and Uttānapāda; Dhruva; Medhātithi; Vasu; Sudhāmā; Virajā; and also Śaṅkhapāda and Rājasa—these are enumerated in this lineage.

Word by Word

• प्रियव्रत (Priyavrata): the king Priyavrata

• उत्तानपाद (Uttānapāda): the king Uttanapada

• ध्रुव (Dhruva): Dhruva (the famed steadfast prince/king)

• मेधातिथि (Medhātithi): Medhatithi (a progenitor/royal-sage name)

• वसुः (Vasu): Vasu (a king/ancestor named Vasu)

• सुधामा (Sudhāmā): Sudhama (a named ancestor)

• विरजा (Virajā): Viraja (a named ancestor)

• च एव (ca eva): and also

• शङ्खपाद (Śaṅkhapāda): Shankhapada (a named ancestor)

• राजसः (Rājasa): Rajasa (a named ancestor)

• तथा (tathā): likewise/also

• (इति सूची/उल्लेखः): thus a listing/mention

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) relaying the Matsya Purana’s genealogy discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Priyavrata
• Uttanapada
• Dhruva
• Medhatithi
• Vasu
• Sudhama
• Viraja
• Shankhapada
• Rajasa

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Manvantaras
• Puranic History
• Royal Lineages

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it functions as a genealogical catalogue, preserving names in the royal lineage tradition that Puranas use to structure cosmic time (yugas/manvantaras) through dynasties.

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

Indirectly: by listing exemplar ancestors (notably Dhruva), the text frames dharmic kingship as continuity—protecting lineage, maintaining social order, and ensuring righteous succession, which is a core Purāṇic model for royal and household responsibility.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is mentioned; the significance is archival—name-lists like this support ritual memory (e.g., recitation of dynastic lines) and the Purāṇic mapping of sacred history.