Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — Prayaga Mahatmya Begins: Yudhishthira’s Remorse

Devanagari script

द्वारपालो ऽपि तं दृष्ट्वा राज्ञः कथितवान्द्रुतम् त्वां द्रष्टुकामो मार्कण्डेयो द्वारि तिष्ठत्यसौ मुनिः त्वरितो धर्मपुत्रस्तु द्वारमागादतः परम् //

Transliteration

dvārapālo 'pi taṃ dṛṣṭvā rājñaḥ kathitavāndrutam tvāṃ draṣṭukāmo mārkaṇḍeyo dvāri tiṣṭhatyasau muniḥ tvarito dharmaputrastu dvāramāgādataḥ param //

Translation

Seeing him, the gatekeeper quickly informed the king: “The great sage Mārkaṇḍeya, desiring to see you, is standing at the gate.” Then the righteous king’s son hurried at once to the gateway.

Word by Word

• dvārapālaḥ: gatekeeper

• api: also/indeed

• tam: him

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• rājñaḥ: to the king/of the king

• kathitavān: reported/said

• drutam: quickly

• tvām: you

• draṣṭu-kāmaḥ: wishing to see

• mārkaṇḍeyaḥ: Markandeya

• dvāri: at the door/gate

• tiṣṭhati: stands

• asau: that (person)

• muniḥ: sage

• tvaritaḥ: hastened

• dharma-putraḥ: son of righteousness / righteous son

• tu: then/indeed

• dvāram: to the gate

• āgāt: went/came

• ataḥ param: thereafter/at once.

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the court scene)

Entities Mentioned

• Mārkaṇḍeya
• Dvārpāla (gatekeeper)
• Rājā (the king)
• Dharma-putra (righteous prince/son)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Court etiquette
• Sage audience
• Hospitality
• Dharma

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is a court-setting narrative focused on receiving the sage Mārkaṇḍeya, not on pralaya cosmology.

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

It highlights royal dharma: prompt attention to visiting sages, proper gate protocol, and readiness to offer respectful audience—key markers of righteous kingship and hospitality.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it implies the importance of the palace gateway (dvāra) and regulated access via a gatekeeper; ritually, it signals the customary honor given to a muni arriving for darśana (audience).