Matsya Purana — Dynastic Genealogies: Paurava–Anu Lines, Shloka 31

Devanagari script

कथं चोत्पादितास्तेन तन्नः प्रब्रूहि पृच्छताम् माहात्म्यं च प्रभावं च निखिलेन वदस्व तत् //

Transliteration

kathaṃ cotpāditāstena tannaḥ prabrūhi pṛcchatām māhātmyaṃ ca prabhāvaṃ ca nikhilena vadasva tat //

Translation

అతడు వారిని ఎలా ఉత్పత్తి చేసెను? మేము అడుగుచున్నాము—మాకు వివరించుము; అలాగే దాని మహాత్మ్యమును, ప్రభావమును సంపూర్ణంగా చెప్పుము.

Word by Word

• katham: how

• ca: and/also

• utpāditāḥ: produced, brought forth

• tena: by him

• tat: that (matter/subject)

• naḥ: to us

• prabrūhi: please explain, tell

• pṛcchatām: of those who ask (we who inquire)

• māhātmyam: greatness, sacred eminence

• ca: and

• prabhāvam: power, efficacy, influence

• ca: and

• nikhilena: completely, in entirety

• vadasva: speak, declare

• tat: that

Speaker

• Inquirers addressing the primary narrator/teacher (contextually within Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame, the questioning party seeks explanation from the authoritative speaker, commonly Lord Matsya in the Matsya–Manu discourse).

Tags

• Creation
• Origins
• Mahatmya
• Prabhava
• Purana Inquiry

FAQs

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

It frames a direct inquiry into how certain beings or elements were “brought into being,” asking for a complete account of their origin and their effective power—an opening typical of creation-focused (sarga) exposition rather than describing dissolution itself.

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

The verse models dharmic inquiry: rulers and householders are encouraged to ask qualified teachers about origins, sacred greatness (māhātmya), and practical efficacy (prabhāva) before adopting doctrines, vows, or rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or temple rule is stated here; however, the request for māhātmya and prabhāva aligns with how ritual manuals justify practices—by explaining both their sacred status and their tangible efficacy.