Shloka 61

Matsya Purana — Dynastic Genealogies: Paurava–Anu Lines

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तो ऽथ देवर्षिस् तथास्त्वित्युक्तवान् प्रभुः स तस्य राजा स्वां भार्यां सुदेष्णां नाम प्राहिणोत् अन्धं वृद्धं च तं ज्ञात्वा न सा देवी जगाम ह //

Transliteration

evamukto 'tha devarṣis tathāstvityuktavān prabhuḥ sa tasya rājā svāṃ bhāryāṃ sudeṣṇāṃ nāma prāhiṇot andhaṃ vṛddhaṃ ca taṃ jñātvā na sā devī jagāma ha //

Translation

Thus addressed, the divine seer replied, “So be it.” Thereupon that king sent his own wife, named Sudeṣṇā. But when the queen learned that the man was blind and aged, she did not go.

Word by Word

• evam-uktaḥ: thus addressed

• atha: then

• devarṣiḥ: divine seer

• tathā astu iti: “so be it”

• uktavān: said

• prabhuḥ: the venerable one/lordly person (here, the seer)

• saḥ: he

• tasya: of him/that (king)

• rājā: the king

• svām bhāryām: his own wife

• sudeṣṇām nāma: named Sudeṣṇā

• prāhiṇot: sent/dispatched

• andham: blind

• vṛddham: aged/old

• ca: and

• tam: him

• jñātvā: having known/understood

• na: not

• sā devī: that queen/noble lady

• jagāma ha: went (indeed)

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrative voice, traditionally Sūta relating the account)

Entities Mentioned

• Devarṣi (divine seer)
• Rājā (the king)
• Queen Sudeṣṇā
• The blind aged man

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Compassion
• Royal conduct
• Ethics
• Narrative episode

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on a moral-ethical narrative where personal preference conflicts with expected duty and compassion.

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

It highlights household and royal duty: the king attempts to act through his queen, but her refusal upon hearing the man is blind and old underscores a lapse in compassion—an implicit Rajadharma lesson that service to the vulnerable should not be avoided.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; its significance is ethical, centering on conduct toward the aged and infirm.