Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Inquiry into Yayāti’s Story and the Kacha–Devayānī Episode

Devanagari script

*ऋषय ऊचुः किमर्थं पौरवो वंशः श्रेष्ठत्वं प्राप भूतले ज्येष्ठस्यापि यदोर्वंशः किमर्थं हीयते श्रिया //

Transliteration

*ṛṣaya ūcuḥ kimarthaṃ pauravo vaṃśaḥ śreṣṭhatvaṃ prāpa bhūtale jyeṣṭhasyāpi yadorvaṃśaḥ kimarthaṃ hīyate śriyā //

Translation

The sages said: “For what reason did the Paurava dynasty attain preeminence upon the earth? And why is the Yadu dynasty—though belonging to the elder line—deprived of prosperity and splendor?”

Word by Word

• ṛṣayaḥ: the sages

• ūcuḥ: said

• kimartham: for what reason/why

• pauravaḥ vaṃśaḥ: the Paurava lineage (descendants of Pūru)

• śreṣṭhatvam: superiority/preeminence

• prāpa: attained

• bhūtale: on the earth

• jyeṣṭhasya api: even though (it is) of the elder/firstborn

• yadoḥ vaṃśaḥ: the lineage of Yadu

• kimartham: why

• hīyate: declines/is diminished/is deprived

• śriyā: by prosperity, fortune, splendor (Śrī).

Speaker

• The sages (Ṛṣis)

Entities Mentioned

• Paurava dynasty (Pūru-vaṁśa)
• Yadu dynasty (Yadu-vaṁśa)
• Śrī (prosperity/fortune)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Royal lineages
• Pauravas
• Yadus

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it opens a genealogical-theological inquiry into why certain royal lineages flourish while others decline.

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

It frames prosperity (śrī) and political preeminence as outcomes that require explanation beyond birth order—implying that dharma, merit, and right conduct (often emphasized for rulers in the Purāṇas) can determine a dynasty’s standing.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; the focus is purely on dynastic status and the seeming paradox of the elder line’s decline.