Matsya Purana — The Tale of Brahmadatta: Past-life Memory, Shloka 3

Devanagari script

धृतिमांस्तत्त्वदर्शी च विद्याचण्डस् तपोत्सुकः नामतः कर्मतश्चैते सुदरिद्रस्य ते सुताः //

Transliteration

dhṛtimāṃstattvadarśī ca vidyācaṇḍas tapotsukaḥ nāmataḥ karmataścaite sudaridrasya te sutāḥ //

Translation

Dhṛtimān, Tattvadarśī, Vidyācaṇḍa et Tapotsuka : tels sont les fils de Sudaridra, ainsi nommés selon leurs noms et aussi selon leurs actes.

Word by Word

• dhṛtimān: steadfast/enduring one

• tattva-darśī: seer of truth/one who perceives reality

• ca: and

• vidyā-caṇḍaḥ: fierce/unyielding in learning, formidable in knowledge

• tapa-utsukaḥ: eager for austerity/ascetic practice

• nāmataḥ: by name

• karmataḥ: by action/deed

• ca: and

• ete: these

• sudaridrasya: of Sudaridra

• te: his/your (contextual)

• sutāḥ: sons

Speaker

• Suta (Purana narrator) recounting lineage material (genealogical register style)

Entities Mentioned

• Sudaridra
• Dhṛtimān
• Tattvadarśī
• Vidyācaṇḍa
• Tapotsuka

Tags

• Dynasties
• Ancient Indian genealogy
• Names and epithets
• Dharma
• Tapas

FAQs

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

This verse is genealogical and does not discuss Pralaya; it records descendants and emphasizes that names correspond to qualities and actions.

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

By highlighting traits like steadfastness (dhṛti), truth-perception (tattva-darśana), rigorous learning (vidyā), and austerity (tapas), it implicitly presents virtues expected in rulers and disciplined householders within the Matsya Purana’s ethical worldview.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu Shastra, temple architecture, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it functions as a lineage/character catalogue.