Matsya Purana — Purūravas Beholds the Divine Himalayan River, Shloka 3

Devanagari script

तपस्विशरणोपेतां महाब्राह्मणसेविताम् ददर्श तपनीयाभां महाराजः पुरूरवाः //

Transliteration

tapasviśaraṇopetāṃ mahābrāhmaṇasevitām dadarśa tapanīyābhāṃ mahārājaḥ purūravāḥ //

Translation

महाराज पुरूरवा ने तपस्वियों के आश्रय से युक्त और महाब्राह्मणों द्वारा सेवित, स्वर्ण-सी दीप्तिमान उस पुण्य-स्थल को देखा।

Word by Word

• तपस्वि (tapasvin): ascetic, one practicing austerities

• शरणोपेताम् (śaraṇopetām): endowed with refuge/sanctuary, having shelter

• महाब्राह्मण (mahābrāhmaṇa): great Brahmin, eminent priest-sage

• सेविताम् (sevitām): attended, frequented, served by

• ददर्श (dadarśa): saw, beheld

• तपनीयाभाम् (tapanīyābhām): having the luster of refined gold, golden-radiant

• महाराजः (mahārājaḥ): the great king

• पुरूरवाः (purūravāḥ): Purūravas (a famed king of the Lunar line).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the scene (third-person narration within the Purāṇic discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Purūravas
• Tapasvins (ascetics)
• Mahābrāhmaṇas (great Brahmins)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Hermitage
• Dharma
• Kingship
• Sacred Geography

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it focuses on a dynastic episode where Purūravas encounters a sanctified, Brahmin-attended refuge of ascetics.

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

It reflects a key royal duty in Purāṇic ethics: a king seeks proximity to tapasvins and eminent Brahmins, honoring spiritual authority and drawing guidance for righteous rule (dharma-based governance).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not technical Vāstu, the verse implies a model of sacred settlement: an āśrama/holy precinct that functions as “śaraṇa” (sanctuary) and is maintained through Brahminical presence and ascetic practice—an idealized religious landscape.