Shloka 57

Matsya Purana — Genealogy from Budha to Purūravas and Yayāti; Raji’s war episode; the Paurava...

Devanagari script

स शाश्वतीः समा राजा प्रजा धर्मेण पालयन् जराम् आर्छन् महाघोरां नाहुषो रूपनाशिनीम् //

Transliteration

sa śāśvatīḥ samā rājā prajā dharmeṇa pālayan jarām ārchan mahāghorāṃ nāhuṣo rūpanāśinīm //

Translation

That king Nāhuṣa, having protected his subjects through dharma for many enduring years, at last came upon dreadful old age—the destroyer of beauty and form.

Word by Word

• स (sa): he

• शाश्वतीः (śāśvatīḥ): enduring, long-lasting

• समाः (samāḥ): years

• राजा (rājā): the king

• प्रजाः (prajāḥ): the subjects/people

• धर्मेण (dharmeṇa): by dharma/righteous rule

• पालयन् (pālayan): protecting, governing

• जराम् (jarām): old age

• आर्छन् (ārchan): reached/attained/came upon

• महाघोराम् (mahāghorām): very dreadful/terrifying

• नाहुषः (nāhuṣaḥ): Nahusha

• रूपनाशिनीम् (rūpanāśinīm): destroyer of beauty/form.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting the lineage narrative (within the Matsya Purana’s royal genealogy section)

Entities Mentioned

• Nahusha
• Praja (subjects)
• Dharma
• Jara (Old Age)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Rajadharma
• Dharma
• Genealogy
• Impermanence

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it highlights a different Puranic theme—impermanence—showing that even powerful kings are overtaken by time as old age destroys bodily form.

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

It frames ideal kingship as dharma-based protection of the people (prajā-pālana). Even when a ruler follows Rajadharma for many years, the verse reminds that worldly power is temporary, encouraging righteous governance without arrogance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its takeaway is ethical and philosophical—time and old age humble all embodied beings.