Shloka 40

Matsya Purana — Purūravas Witnesses the Sports of Apsarases and Gandharvas; Attains the Grace...

Devanagari script

प्रिय एव सदैवासीद् गन्धर्वाप्सरसां नृपः तुतोष स जनो राज्ञस् तस्यालौल्येन कर्मणा //

Transliteration

priya eva sadaivāsīd gandharvāpsarasāṃ nṛpaḥ tutoṣa sa jano rājñas tasyālaulyena karmaṇā //

Translation

O king, he was ever dear to the Gandharvas and Apsarases; and the people too were pleased with that ruler, for his deeds were steady and free from fickleness.

Word by Word

• प्रियः: beloved, dear

• एव: indeed, truly

• सदैव: always

• आसीत्: was

• गन्धर्व-अप्सरसाम्: of the Gandharvas and Apsarases

• नृपः: king

• तुतोष: was pleased, became satisfied

• सः: that (he/they)

• जनः: the people

• राज्ञः: of the king/with the king

• तस्य: of him

• अलौल्यम्: freedom from caprice/inconstancy

• कर्मणा: by (his) action/conduct

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) reporting the king’s qualities (within the Matsya Purana’s didactic narrative flow)

Entities Mentioned

• Gandharvas
• Apsarases
• King (Nripa)
• People (Jana)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Kingship
• Public welfare
• Virtue
• Conduct

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on royal virtue—how steadfast, non-capricious conduct makes both celestial beings (Gandharvas and Apsarases) and ordinary people pleased with a ruler.

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

It highlights a core Rajadharma principle: consistency and freedom from wavering impulses (alaulya) in decision-making. A ruler (and by extension a householder-leader) gains trust and affection when actions are stable, fair, and not driven by sudden whims.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual rule is stated in this verse; the takeaway is ethical—steadiness of conduct is presented as a virtue that sustains social harmony and collective satisfaction.