Matsya Purana — Dynastic Genealogies: Paurava–Anu Lines, Shloka 28

Devanagari script

जयं चाप्रतिमं युद्धे धर्मे तत्त्वार्थदर्शनम् चतुरो नियतान्वर्णान् स वै स्थापयिता प्रभुः //

Transliteration

jayaṃ cāpratimaṃ yuddhe dharme tattvārthadarśanam caturo niyatānvarṇān sa vai sthāpayitā prabhuḥ //

Translation

യുദ്ധത്തിൽ അപരിമിതമായ ജയവും, ധർമ്മത്തിൽ തത്ത്വാർത്ഥദർശനവും നൽകുന്നവൻ—നിയതമായ നാലു വർണങ്ങളെ ദൃഢമായി സ്ഥാപിക്കുന്ന ആ പ്രഭുവുതന്നെ.

Word by Word

• jayam: victory

• ca: and

• apratimam: incomparable, unmatched

• yuddhe: in battle/war

• dharme: in dharma, righteous order

• tattva-artha-darśanam: vision/understanding of the meaning of truth (principles and their import)

• caturo: four

• niyatān: regulated, duly fixed

• varṇān: social classes/orders (varṇas)

• saḥ: he

• vai: indeed

• sthāpayitā: establisher, one who sets in place

• prabhuḥ: lord, sovereign.

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching on kingship; doctrinal voice ultimately aligned with Lord Matsya’s instruction to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Varna (four social orders)
• Dharma

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Kingship
• Varna
• Social order
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on royal competence—victory in war, discernment in dharma, and the establishment of social order.

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

It defines a king’s duty as both protective strength (successful defense and warfare) and moral-intellectual leadership—upholding dharma by maintaining the properly regulated functions of the four varṇas.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the practical takeaway is administrative—social stability through dharmic regulation, which indirectly supports orderly ritual life in society.