Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — Prayaga Mahatmya Begins: Yudhishthira’s Remorse

Devanagari script

*युधिष्ठिर उवाच अस्माकं चैव यद्वृत्तं राज्यस्यार्थे महामुने एतत्सर्वं विदित्वा तु चिन्तावशमुपागतः //

Transliteration

*yudhiṣṭhira uvāca asmākaṃ caiva yadvṛttaṃ rājyasyārthe mahāmune etatsarvaṃ viditvā tu cintāvaśamupāgataḥ //

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O great sage, having learned all that has occurred concerning our affairs for the sake of the kingdom, I have fallen under the sway of anxious reflection.”

Word by Word

• युधिष्ठिरः: Yudhiṣṭhira

• उवाच: said

• अस्माकम्: of us/our

• च एव: and indeed

• यत्: whatever/that which

• वृत्तम्: occurred, happened, the course of events

• राज्यस्य अर्थे: for the purpose/interest of the kingdom

• महामुने: O great sage

• एतत् सर्वम्: all this

• विदित्वा: having known/understood

• तु: indeed/then

• चिन्तावशम्: under the control of worry/anxiety

• उपागतः: has come to, has fallen into

Speaker

• Yudhiṣṭhira

Entities Mentioned

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Mahāmuni (great sage)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Kingship
• Anxiety
• Ethics
• Governance

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it focuses on a king’s mental state—Yudhiṣṭhira’s anxiety—after learning events connected with matters of state.

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

It highlights a core Rajadharma theme: a ruler must fully understand the facts and consequences of state affairs, yet remain steady—here Yudhiṣṭhira admits that knowledge of political realities has led him into worry, prompting counsel on righteous governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it functions as a narrative setup for ethical instruction rather than technical architecture or iconography.