Shloka 19
Matsya Purana — Prayaga Mahatmya Begins: Yudhishthira’s Remorse
ततः स तुष्टो मार्कण्डः पूजितश्चाह तं नृपम् आख्याहि त्वरितं राजन् किमर्थं रुदितं त्वया केन वा विक्लवीभूतः का बाधा ते किमप्रियम् //
tataḥ sa tuṣṭo mārkaṇḍaḥ pūjitaścāha taṃ nṛpam ākhyāhi tvaritaṃ rājan kimarthaṃ ruditaṃ tvayā kena vā viklavībhūtaḥ kā bādhā te kimapriyam //
Then the sage Mārkaṇḍa, pleased and duly honored, said to the king: “Tell me at once, O King—why have you wept? By what have you been thrown into distress? What affliction troubles you, and what is it that is displeasing to you?”
FAQs
This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it sets a narrative frame where a sage prompts a king to disclose the cause of his suffering, a common Purāṇic lead-in to deeper teachings.
It highlights accountability and clarity: a king is urged to state the cause of disorder or grief promptly, enabling wise counsel—an implied Rajadharma principle that rulers should not conceal crises and should seek dhārmic guidance.
No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated in this verse; the only ritual element is that the sage is “honored/worshipped” (pūjitaḥ), indicating proper reverence to spiritual authorities before receiving counsel.