The Sadguru said:
Formerly, in Madurai in the Pāṇḍya kingdom, there was a king named Malayadhvaja. Residing there, the king protected the world.
śrīsadgururuvāca
madhurāyāṃ pūrvamāsīdbhūpatirmalayadhvajaḥ|
pāṇḍyadeśe vasan rājā bhuvanaṃ paryapālayat
मधुरायाम् · madhurāyāṃ — in the city of Madurai
पूर्वम् · pūrvam — formerly
आसीत् · āsīt — there was
भूपतिः · bhūpatiḥ — a king
मलयध्वजः · malayadhvajaḥ — named Malayadhvaja
पाण्ड्यदेशे · pāṇḍyadeśe — in the Pāṇḍya kingdom
वसन् · vasan — residing
राजा · rājā — the king
भुवनम् · bhuvanam — the world
पर्यपालयत् · paryapālayat — protected
पूर्वम् पाण्ड्यदेशे मधुरायाम् मलयध्वजः इति भूपतिः आसीत्। सः राजा तत्र वसन् भुवनम् पर्यपालयत्।
in the city of Madurai · formerly · there was · a king · named Malayadhvaja · in the Pāṇḍya kingdom · residing · the king · the world · protected
This verse introduces the protagonist, King Malayadhvaja, establishing his historical and geographical setting in Madurai. It sets the stage for his character as a righteous protector of the world.