Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Dialogue of Aṣṭaka and Yayāti: Exhaustion of Merit

Devanagari script

*ययातिरुवाच वायुः समुत्कर्षति गर्भयोनिम् ऋतौ रेतः पुष्परसानुयुक्तम् स तत्र तन्मात्रकृताधिकारः क्रमेण संवर्धयतीह गर्भम् //

Transliteration

*yayātiruvāca vāyuḥ samutkarṣati garbhayonim ṛtau retaḥ puṣparasānuyuktam sa tatra tanmātrakṛtādhikāraḥ krameṇa saṃvardhayatīha garbham //

Translation

Yayāti said: In the proper season, the vital wind (vāyu) draws the semen—joined with the essences of the menstrual flow—toward the womb. There, its function being determined only by the subtle elements (tanmātra), it gradually nourishes and develops the embryo.

Word by Word

• ययातिः उवाच (yayātiḥ uvāca): Yayāti said

• वायुः (vāyuḥ): vital wind, vāyu (physiological life-force)

• समुत्कर्षति (samutkarṣati): draws upward/attracts, pulls toward

• गर्भ-योनिम् (garbha-yonim): the womb, source of the embryo

• ऋतौ (ṛtau): in the proper time/season (fertile period)

• रेतः (retaḥ): semen, generative seed

• पुष्प-रस-अनुयुक्तम् (puṣpa-rasa-anuyuktam): joined with the ‘flower-essence’ (a euphemism for menstrual/ovular essence)

• सः (saḥ): it/that (the generative seed/incipient embryo)

• तत्र (tatra): there, in that place (womb)

• तन्मात्र-कृत-अधिकारः (tanmātra-kṛta-adhikāraḥ): whose operative capacity is shaped by the subtle elements (tanmātras)

• क्रमेण (krameṇa): gradually, in sequence

• संवर्धयति (saṃvardhayati): nourishes, increases, develops

• इह (iha): here (in this body/world)

• गर्भम् (garbham): the embryo, fetus

Speaker

• King Yayati

Entities Mentioned

• Yayati
• Vayu (vital wind)
• Garbha (embryo)
• Tanmātras (subtle elements)

Tags

• Embryology
• Ayurvedic physiology
• Tanmātra theory
• Dynasties
• Puranic discourse

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya; it explains micro-creation at the bodily level—how life begins through Vāyu guiding the seed into the womb and the embryo developing under the influence of subtle elements (tanmātras).

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

By emphasizing conception “in the proper season” (ṛtau) and orderly development, it supports the householder ethic of regulated family life—timely, dharmic procreation and responsible attention to lineage and well-being.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated; the closest ‘ritual’ implication is the stress on ṛtu (proper timing), a principle also valued in samskāras and other rites where auspicious time governs successful outcomes.