Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — Prayaga Mahatmya Begins: Yudhishthira’s Remorse

Devanagari script

राजानो निहताः सर्वे ये चान्ये शूरमानिनः किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा //

Transliteration

rājāno nihatāḥ sarve ye cānye śūramāninaḥ kiṃ no rājyena govinda kiṃ bhogairjīvitena vā //

Translation

All the kings have been slain—along with others who fancied themselves heroes. O Govinda, what use is a kingdom to us now? What use are pleasures, or even life itself?

Word by Word

• राजानः (rājānaḥ): kings

• निहताः (nihatāḥ): slain, killed

• सर्वे (sarve): all

• ये (ye): who

• च (ca): and

• अन्ये (anye): others

• शूर-मानिनः (śūra-māninaḥ): those who consider themselves heroes, self-styled brave men

• किम् (kim): what?

• नः (naḥ): for us/to us

• राज्येन (rājyena): with kingdom/sovereignty

• गोविन्द (govinda): O Govinda (Vishnu/Krishna, protector of beings)

• किम् (kim): what?

• भोगैः (bhogaiḥ): with enjoyments/pleasures

• जीवितेन (jīvitena): with life/living

• वा (vā): or

Speaker

• A grieving royal/warrior addressing Govinda (Vishnu/Krishna) in lamentation

Entities Mentioned

• Govinda
• Kings (rājānaḥ)
• Self-styled heroes (śūra-māninaḥ)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Vairagya
• War
• Impermanence
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe cosmic Pralaya directly; it expresses a human-scale “dissolution” through war—showing how power, lineage, and life can vanish suddenly, reinforcing the Purāṇic theme of impermanence.

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

It functions as a Rajadharma warning: sovereignty and enjoyment are unstable, so a king should rule with dharma, restraint, and responsibility—without pride in valor—knowing that worldly gains can be lost in a moment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple-building or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its significance is ethical and contemplative—turning the mind from external power toward dharmic purpose and devotion to Govinda.