Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Prayaga Mahatmya Begins: Yudhishthira’s Remorse

Devanagari script

*युधिष्ठिर उवाच पृच्छामि त्वां महाप्राज्ञ नित्यं त्रैलोक्यदर्शिनम् कथय त्वं समासेन येन मुच्येत किल्बिषात् //

Transliteration

*yudhiṣṭhira uvāca pṛcchāmi tvāṃ mahāprājña nityaṃ trailokyadarśinam kathaya tvaṃ samāsena yena mucyeta kilbiṣāt //

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O greatly wise one, who ever beholds the three worlds, I ask you—tell me briefly that by which one may be freed from sin.”

Word by Word

• yudhiṣṭhiraḥ: Yudhiṣṭhira

• uvāca: said

• pṛcchāmi: I ask/inquire

• tvām: you

• mahāprājña: O very wise one

• nityam: always

• trailokya-darśinam: seer of the three worlds

• kathaya: tell/explain

• tvam: you

• samāsena: briefly/in summary

• yena: by which/through which

• mucyeta: may be released/freed

• kilbiṣāt: from sin/impurity (moral fault).

Speaker

• Yudhiṣṭhira

Entities Mentioned

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• trailokya (the three worlds)

Tags

• Dharma
• Prāyaścitta
• Sin-removal
• Moksha
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe creation or Pralaya directly; it frames a moral-spiritual inquiry—seeking a concise means to be freed from sin—which typically precedes teachings on vows, gifts, austerities, or devotion.

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

A king (like Yudhiṣṭhira) models dharmic leadership by seeking guidance on removing moral faults (kilbiṣa). For householders, the same question points to practical dharma—right conduct and prescribed expiations—to restore social and personal order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse; however, the request for a method to remove sin commonly leads (in Purāṇic contexts) to ritual prescriptions such as vratas, dāna, tīrtha, japa, and pūjā.