Matsya Purana — The Tale of Brahmadatta: Past-life Memory, Shloka 27

Devanagari script

निर्गच्छन्मन्त्रिसहितः सभार्यो वृद्धमग्रतः गदन्तं विप्रम् आयान्तं तं वृद्धं संददर्श ह //

Transliteration

nirgacchanmantrisahitaḥ sabhāryo vṛddhamagrataḥ gadantaṃ vipram āyāntaṃ taṃ vṛddhaṃ saṃdadarśa ha //

Translation

Als er aufbrach, begleitet von seinen Ministern und zusammen mit seiner Gemahlin, sah er vor sich einen betagten Brahmanen herankommen—sprechend, während er näher trat—und erblickte jenen ehrwürdigen Greis.

Word by Word

• निर्गच्छन् (nirgacchan): while going out/setting forth

• मन्त्रि-सहितः (mantri-sahitaḥ): accompanied by ministers

• स-भार्यः (sa-bhāryaḥ): together with (his) wife

• वृद्धम् (vṛddham): an aged man, elder

• अग्रतः (agrataḥ): in front, ahead

• गदन्तम् (gadantam): speaking, uttering (words)

• विप्रम् (vipram): a Brahmin

• आयान्तम् (āyāntam): coming, approaching

• तम् (tam): that

• वृद्धम् (vṛddham): elder

• संददर्श (saṃdadarśa): saw, beheld

• ह (ha): indeed (narrative particle).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator voice, third-person narrative within Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmin (Vipra)
• Ministers (Mantrin)
• Wife of the ruler/householder (Bharya)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Brahmin
• CourtlyNarrative
• Dharma
• Hospitality

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a narrative moment emphasizing a respectful encounter with an aged Brahmin, a common setup for dharmic instruction.

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

It highlights the ideal conduct of a leader/householder: moving with responsible counsel (ministers), maintaining household order (with wife), and recognizing a learned elder approaching—implying readiness to honor, hear, and serve a worthy guest.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-architecture rule appears directly; the ritual implication is the dharmic protocol of receiving a venerable Brahmin (atithi-satkara), often preceding counsel, blessings, or rites.