Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — Prayaga Mahatmya Begins: Yudhishthira’s Remorse

Devanagari script

धिक् कष्टमिति संचित्य राजा वैक्लव्यभागतः निर्विचेष्टो निरुत्साहः किंचित् तिष्ठत्यधोमुखः //

Transliteration

dhik kaṣṭamiti saṃcitya rājā vaiklavyabhāgataḥ nirviceṣṭo nirutsāhaḥ kiṃcit tiṣṭhatyadhomukhaḥ //

Translation

Thinking to himself, “Fie—what misery this is!”, the king, overtaken by helpless despondency, stood for a while with his face cast down—motionless and devoid of all spirit.

Word by Word

• धिक्: fie!/shame!/alas

• कष्टम्: suffering, misery, hardship

• इति: thus

• संचित्य: having reflected/considered within himself

• राजा: the king

• वैक्लव्य-भागतः: due to a share/fit of helplessness and dejection

• निर्विचेष्टः: without movement, inactive

• निरुत्साहः: without enthusiasm, dispirited

• किंचित्: for a little while

• तिष्ठति: stands, remains

• अधोमुखः: face downward, downcast

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration; likely Sūta’s narrative voice describing the king’s condition)

Entities Mentioned

• Rājā (the King)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Nīti
• Kingship
• Despondency
• Counsel

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is psychological and ethical in tone, describing a king’s despair rather than cosmology or pralaya.

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

It depicts the failure-state a ruler must overcome: helpless dejection, inactivity, and loss of initiative—implying that effective kingship requires steadiness, counsel, and renewed resolve in hardship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

None is stated; the verse contains no Vāstu, temple, or ritual procedure terms—its focus is the king’s downcast, dispirited condition.