Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

*शौनक उवाच ययातिरासीद्राजर्षिर् देवराजसमद्युतिः तं शुक्रवृषपर्वाणौ वव्राते वै यथा पुरा //

Transliteration

*śaunaka uvāca yayātirāsīdrājarṣir devarājasamadyutiḥ taṃ śukravṛṣaparvāṇau vavrāte vai yathā purā //

Translation

Śaunaka said: There was a royal sage named Yayāti, whose splendor equaled that of Indra, king of the gods. Just as in former times, Śukra and Vṛṣaparvan sought him out (and chose him for their purpose).

Word by Word

• शौनक (śaunaka): Śaunaka

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• ययातिः (yayātiḥ): Yayāti

• आसीत् (āsīt): was

• राजर्षिः (rājarṣiḥ): royal sage/king-sage

• देवराज (devarāja): king of the gods (Indra)

• सम (sama): equal to

• द्युतिः (dyutiḥ): radiance, splendor

• तम् (tam): him

• शुक्र (śukra): Śukra (Kavi Uśanas), preceptor of the Asuras

• वृषपर्वाणौ (vṛṣaparvāṇau): Vṛṣaparvan (Asura king) (dual used to pair with Śukra as two agents)

• वव्राते (vavrāte): chose, sought, selected, approached with intent

• वै (vai): indeed

• यथा (yathā): as, just as

• पुरा (purā): formerly, in ancient times.

Speaker

• Śaunaka

Entities Mentioned

• Śaunaka
• Yayāti
• Indra (Devarāja)
• Śukra (Kavi Uśanas)
• Vṛṣaparvan

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Royal Sages
• Asuras
• Puranic History

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it introduces King Yayāti within a dynastic narrative, emphasizing his Indra-like splendor and the involvement of Śukra and Vṛṣaparvan.

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

By calling Yayāti a rājarṣi (king-sage) and comparing his radiance to Indra, the verse frames an ideal of kingship where sovereignty is joined with wisdom and moral stature—setting the tone for royal conduct in the ensuing narrative.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, iconography, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it functions as a genealogical-historical introduction to the Yayāti episode.