Shloka 22

Matsya Purana — Prayaga Mahatmya Begins: Yudhishthira’s Remorse

Devanagari script

किं पुना राजधर्मेण क्षत्रियस्य विशेषतः तदेवं हृदयं कृत्वा तस्मात्पापं न चिन्तयेत् //

Transliteration

kiṃ punā rājadharmeṇa kṣatriyasya viśeṣataḥ tadevaṃ hṛdayaṃ kṛtvā tasmātpāpaṃ na cintayet //

Translation

How much more so in the case of royal duty—especially for a kṣatriya! Having thus made one’s heart steadfast, one should therefore not brood over sin in the rightful performance of one’s duty.

Word by Word

• kim punā: how much more/needless to say

• rājadharmeṇa: by/with the duty of kingship (royal law)

• kṣatriyasya: of the kṣatriya (warrior-ruler)

• viśeṣataḥ: especially, in particular

• tad evam: thus, in that manner

• hṛdayam: heart, inner resolve

• kṛtvā: having made, having established

• tasmāt: therefore, from that reason

• pāpam: sin, demerit

• na cintayet: should not think about/should not brood over

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, Rajadharma discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Kshatriya
• Rajadharma

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Kshatriya-duty
• Ethics
• Governance
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it belongs to the Rajadharma teaching and focuses on the ruler’s duty and the proper mental stance when performing necessary royal actions.

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

It states that royal duty is a special case: when a kṣatriya performs actions required by rājadharma (such as punishment, warfare, or enforcement), he should keep firm inner resolve and not be consumed by guilt, provided the action is dharmic and not driven by personal hatred or greed.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned here; the takeaway is ethical—steadfastness of mind in the rightful execution of kingly duties.