Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — The Karmic Cause of Purūravas’ Beauty and Fortune

Devanagari script

तस्य राजगुणैः सर्वैः समुपेतस्य भूपतेः जनानुरागो नैवासीद् रूपहीनस्य तस्य वै //

Transliteration

tasya rājaguṇaiḥ sarvaiḥ samupetasya bhūpateḥ janānurāgo naivāsīd rūpahīnasya tasya vai //

Translation

Though that king was endowed with every royal virtue, the people felt no affection for him, for in truth he lacked outward beauty and commanding presence.

Word by Word

• tasya: of him/that

• rāja-guṇaiḥ: with kingly qualities/royal virtues

• sarvaiḥ: with all

• samupetasya: fully endowed/possessed

• bhūpateḥ: of the king/lord of the earth

• jana-anurāgaḥ: the people’s affection/popular attachment

• na eva āsīt: did not arise/was not at all

• rūpa-hīnasya: of one lacking beauty/appearance

• tasya: of him

• vai: indeed/certainly.

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Purana’s account; didactic royal-ethics passage)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Kingship
• Public Opinion
• Royal Virtues
• Leadership

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is a Rajadharma observation about kingship and public attachment, not about cosmic dissolution or the flood narrative.

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

It implies that virtue alone may not secure loyalty; a king must also cultivate visible confidence, dignity, and public-facing excellence (tejas, pratāpa, and persuasive presence) so that subjects naturally develop trust and affection.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual rule is stated here; the verse is ethical-political, highlighting social perception as a factor in stable governance.