Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच एतदेव पुरा पृष्टः शतानीकेन शौनकः पुण्यं पवित्रमायुष्यं ययातिचरितं महत् //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca etadeva purā pṛṣṭaḥ śatānīkena śaunakaḥ puṇyaṃ pavitramāyuṣyaṃ yayāticaritaṃ mahat //

Translation

Sūta said: Long ago, Śatānīka asked Śaunaka this very matter—namely, the great narrative of King Yayāti, which is meritorious, purifying, and life-enhancing.

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ: Sūta (the narrator)

• uvāca: said

• etad eva: this very (subject)

• purā: formerly/long ago

• pṛṣṭaḥ: was asked

• śatānīkena: by Śatānīka

• śaunakaḥ: Śaunaka

• puṇyam: meritorious/virtue-giving

• pavitram: purifying/holy

• āyuṣyam: conducive to long life/health and longevity

• yayāti-caritam: the account/deeds of Yayāti

• mahat: great/lofty

Speaker

• Sūta

Entities Mentioned

• Sūta
• Śaunaka
• Śatānīka
• Yayāti

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Itihasa
• Royal Ethics
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it introduces the Yayāti narrative and emphasizes its purifying, merit-giving, and longevity-bestowing value.

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

By foregrounding a royal biography (Yayāti-carita), the verse frames kingship narratives as ethical instruction—implying that rulers and householders gain merit and guidance by hearing exemplary (and cautionary) accounts of royal conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple-building rule is stated here; the ritual significance is the śravaṇa-phala idea—hearing sacred history is described as puṇya (merit), pavitra (purifying), and āyuṣya (promoting longevity).