Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

*ययातिरुवाच जरा वली च मां तात पलितानि च पर्यगुः काव्यस्योशनसः शापान् न च तृप्तो ऽस्मि यौवने //

Transliteration

*yayātiruvāca jarā valī ca māṃ tāta palitāni ca paryaguḥ kāvyasyośanasaḥ śāpān na ca tṛpto 'smi yauvane //

Translation

Yayāti said: “O dear one, old age and wrinkles have overtaken me, and grey hairs have spread over me—due to the curse of Kāvya Uśanas (Śukra). Yet I am not satisfied with youth.”

Word by Word

• ययातिः उवाच: Yayāti said

• जरा: old age

• वली: wrinkles/folds of skin

• च: and

• माम् (मां): me

• तात: O dear one / O son

• पलितानि: grey hairs

• च: and

• पर्यगुः: have come upon, have spread over, have overtaken

• काव्यस्य: of Kāvya (son of Kavi)

• उशनसः: of Uśanas (Śukra, the preceptor of the Asuras)

• शापात्/शापान्: from the curse / the curses

• न: not

• च: and/yet

• तृप्तः अस्मि: I am satisfied

• यौवने: in/with youth

Speaker

• King Yayati

Entities Mentioned

• Yayati
• Ushanas (Shukra)
• Kavya Ushanas

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Royal Desire
• Curse
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on human aging and the karmic consequence of a sage’s curse, highlighting moral causality rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It presents a warning relevant to royal and household dharma: even when youth and pleasure are present, craving can remain unsated; a ruler is urged to cultivate restraint and right judgment rather than be driven by insatiable desire.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, iconography, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; it is a narrative-ethical statement within the Yayati genealogy episode.