Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

*द्रुह्युरुवाच न राज्यं न रथं नाश्वं जीर्णो भुङ्क्ते न च स्त्रियम् न रागश्चास्य भवति तज्जरां ते न कामये //

Transliteration

*druhyuruvāca na rājyaṃ na rathaṃ nāśvaṃ jīrṇo bhuṅkte na ca striyam na rāgaścāsya bhavati tajjarāṃ te na kāmaye //

Translation

Druhyu said: “An aged man can enjoy neither a kingdom, nor chariots, nor horses; nor does he enjoy a woman. Desire no longer arises in him. Therefore, I do not wish for that old age of yours.”

Word by Word

• द्रुह्युः उवाच (druhyuḥ uvāca): Druhyu said

• न (na): not

• राज्यं (rājyaṃ): kingdom/sovereignty

• न रथं (na rathaṃ): not a chariot

• न अश्वं (na aśvaṃ): not a horse

• जीर्णः (jīrṇaḥ): aged, worn by time

• भुङ्क्ते (bhuṅkte): enjoys/partakes

• न च (na ca): and not

• स्त्रियम् (striyam): a woman (sexual/romantic enjoyment)

• न रागः (na rāgaḥ): no passion/desire

• च (ca): and

• अस्य (asya): for him/of him

• भवति (bhavati): arises/exists

• तत् (tat): that

• जराम् (jarām): old age/decay

• ते (te): your

• न कामये (na kāmaye): I do not desire/I do not wish

Speaker

• Druhyu

Entities Mentioned

• Druhyu
• Jara (old age)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Renunciation
• Old age
• Ethics
• Dispassion

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on human aging (jarā) and the fading of worldly enjoyments, a moral reflection within a dynastic narrative.

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

It underscores the limits of royal and sensual pleasures in old age, implying that a king/householder should practice timely detachment and plan for succession and dharmic living rather than clinging to power and enjoyment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is mentioned; the takeaway is ethical-philosophical—cultivating dispassion as life declines.