Matsya Purana — Manvantaras, Shloka 117

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्या ऋषिपुत्रान्निबोधत ऋषीकाणां सुता ह्येते ऋषिपुत्राः श्रुतर्षयः //

Transliteration

brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyā ṛṣiputrānnibodhata ṛṣīkāṇāṃ sutā hyete ṛṣiputrāḥ śrutarṣayaḥ //

Translation

ஓ பிராமணர், க்ஷத்திரியர், வைசியர்—‘ரிஷிபுத்திரர்’ யார் என்பதை அறிந்துகொள்ளுங்கள். இவர்கள் ரிஷிகைகள் (பெண் முனிவிகள்) பெற்ற புதல்வர்கள்; ‘ரிஷிபுத்திரர்’ என்றும் ‘ச்ருதரிஷி’ என்றும் புகழ்பெற்றோர்.

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मणाः: Brāhmaṇas

• क्षत्रिया: Kṣatriyas

• वैश्या: Vaiśyas

• ऋषिपुत्रान्: the Ṛṣiputras (sons/descendants of seers)

• निबोधत: understand/learn

• ऋषीकाणाम्: of the Ṛṣikās (female seers)

• सुता: sons/offspring

• हि: indeed

• एते: these

• ऋषिपुत्राः: Ṛṣiputras

• श्रुतर्षयः: Śrutarṣis (seers known through received/heard tradition)

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) recounting the classification within rishi lineages (contextual instruction to the listening assembly)

Entities Mentioned

• Brāhmaṇa
• Kṣatriya
• Vaiśya
• Ṛṣikā
• Ṛṣiputra
• Śrutarṣi

Tags

• Genealogy
• Rishis
• Lineages
• Dharma
• Puranic taxonomy

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it defines a lineage category—Ṛṣiputras as descendants of Ṛṣikās—within the Purāṇa’s genealogical and rishi-taxonomy material.

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

By identifying recognized rishi-descendant groups (Ṛṣiputras/Śrutarṣis), it supports dharmic governance and household practice: rulers and householders are expected to know whom to honor, consult, and support in ritual, teaching, and counsel.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is social-ritual recognition—properly identifying rishi-linked persons (Śrutarṣis) as legitimate recipients of respect, offerings, and learning traditions.