Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — Yayāti and His Sons: The Exchange of Youth and Old Age

Devanagari script

*शौनक उवाच एवं स तुर्वसुं शप्त्वा ययातिः सुतमात्मनः शर्मिष्ठायाः सुतं ज्येष्ठं द्रुह्युं वचनमब्रवीत् //

Transliteration

*śaunaka uvāca evaṃ sa turvasuṃ śaptvā yayātiḥ sutamātmanaḥ śarmiṣṭhāyāḥ sutaṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ druhyuṃ vacanamabravīt //

Translation

Śaunaka said: Thus, after cursing Turvasu, King Yayāti addressed Druhyu—his eldest son born of Śarmiṣṭhā—and spoke these words.

Word by Word

• शौनकः: Śaunaka

• उवाच: said

• एवम्: thus

• सः: he (Yayāti)

• तुर्वसुम्: Turvasu

• शप्त्वा: having cursed

• ययातिः: Yayāti

• सुतम्: son

• आत्मनः: his own

• शर्मिष्ठायाः: of Śarmiṣṭhā

• सुतम्: son

• ज्येष्ठम्: eldest

• द्रुह्युम्: Druhyu

• वचनम्: words/speech

• अब्रवीत्: spoke/said

Speaker

• Śaunaka (narrating to the sages in the frame dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Śaunaka
• Yayāti
• Turvasu
• Śarmiṣṭhā
• Druhyu

Tags

• Dynasties
• Ancient Indian genealogy
• Yayati episode
• Royal succession
• Puranic narration

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is part of the dynastic (genealogical) narration, focusing on Yayāti’s family and succession after a curse, not on cosmic creation or pralaya.

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

It reflects royal governance through succession and accountability: a king’s actions (such as cursing or judging) lead to consequential decisions about heirs and the ordering of the dynasty.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

None is explicit in this verse; it is narrative genealogy rather than Vastu Shastra, temple architecture, or ritual procedure.