Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Conclusion of the Prayaga Mahatmya: Kingship Restored

Devanagari script

स्वस्थो भव महाराज भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यमकण्टकम् पुनर्द्रक्ष्यसि राजेन्द्र यजमानो विशेषतः //

Transliteration

svastho bhava mahārāja bhuṅkṣva rājyamakaṇṭakam punardrakṣyasi rājendra yajamāno viśeṣataḥ //

Translation

Be well, O great king. Enjoy and govern your kingdom free from thorns—free from troubles and enemies. And again, O lord of kings, you shall behold prosperity and auspicious results, most especially when you stand as the yajamāna in the rites.

Word by Word

• स्वस्थः (svasthaḥ): healthy, secure, at ease

• भव (bhava): be

• महाराज (mahārāja): O great king

• भुङ्क्ष्व (bhuṅkṣva): enjoy, rule, partake (imperative)

• राज्यं (rājyam): kingdom, sovereignty

• अकण्टकम् (akaṇṭakam): without thorns—untroubled, free of obstacles/enemies

• पुनः (punaḥ): again, once more

• द्रक्ष्यसि (drakṣyasi): you will see, you will behold

• राजेन्द्र (rājendra): O king of kings

• यजमानः (yajamānaḥ): the patron of sacrifice, the ritual performer

• विशेषतः (viśeṣataḥ): especially, in particular.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) advising the king (likely Vaivasvata Manu/royal interlocutor in the discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Mahārāja (the King)
• Yajamāna (sacrificial patron)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Kingship
• Yajna
• Ritual Merit
• Prosperity

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it focuses on royal well-being, stable governance, and the auspicious results gained through sacrifice.

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

It frames ideal kingship as maintaining an “akaṇṭaka” realm—orderly and obstacle-free—and highlights the king’s duty to perform yajñas as yajamāna, linking political stability with dharmic ritual responsibility.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: the king is urged to act as yajamāna, implying that properly sponsored sacrifices are a primary means to secure prosperity and auspicious outcomes for the realm.