Shloka 135

Pracetās, Māriṣā, Dakṣa’s Re-manifestation, and the Brahma-parastava; Cyclic Creation and Genealogies

Devanagari script

बहुपुत्रस्य विदुषश् चतस्रो विद्युतः स्मृताः

Transliteration

bahuputrasya viduṣaś catasro vidyutaḥ smṛtāḥ

Translation

Ang pantas na lalaking may maraming anak na lalaki ay may apat na anak na babae na inaalala sa pangalang Vidyut.

Word by Word

• बहुपुत्रस्य: of Bahuputra (one having many sons)
• बहुपुत्रस्य: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक) + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहिः/तत्पुरुष-सम्भवः; अत्र बहु-तत्पुरुषः (बहवः पुत्राः यस्य/बहुपुत्रः) इति प्रातिपदिक-रूपेण, पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• विदुषः: of the wise one
• विदुषः: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्वस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; (बहुपुत्रस्य) विशेषण-भावेन

• चतस्रः: four
• चतस्रः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतस्ृ (संख्या-शब्द/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विद्युतः इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• विद्युतः: lightnings (personified)
• विद्युतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्युत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• स्मृताः: are said/are remembered
• स्मृताः: Predicate/State (विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु) + त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे विधेय-विशेषणम्

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Continuation of progenitor genealogies and named offspring

Teaching: Historical

Quality: authoritative

Dynasty & Genealogy

Dharma Exemplar: prajñā (wisdom)

Key Kings: Bahupūtra

Characters & Entities

• Parāśara
• Maitreya

FAQs

What is the significance of genealogies in Ansha 4 of the Vishnu Purana?

This verse exemplifies the Purana’s role as a record of dynastic memory—listing descendants to preserve continuity of dharma, rulership, and sacred history.

How does Sage Parāśara explain lineage details to Maitreya in this section?

Parāśara presents concise enumerations—sons, daughters, and names—using “smṛtāḥ” to signal received tradition, keeping the narrative as an authoritative genealogical register.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this genealogical context?

Even when Vishnu is not named in a given verse, the dynastic accounts function within a Vishnu-centered cosmology where order, succession, and dharma unfold under the Supreme Lord’s sovereignty.