Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

सन्ति ते बहवः पुत्रा मत्तः प्रियतरा नृप जरां ग्रहीतुं धर्मज्ञ पुत्रमन्यं वृणीष्व वै //

Transliteration

santi te bahavaḥ putrā mattaḥ priyatarā nṛpa jarāṃ grahītuṃ dharmajña putramanyaṃ vṛṇīṣva vai //

Translation

O King, you have many sons dearer to you than I. Therefore, to take up the burden of old age—namely, the responsibility for your care and the kingdom—choose another son, one who is wise in dharma.

Word by Word

• santi: there are

• te: your

• bahavaḥ: many

• putrāḥ: sons

• mattaḥ: than me/from me

• priyatarāḥ: more dear

• nṛpa: O king

• jarām: old age/decline

• grahītum: to take up/to accept

• dharma-jña: knower of dharma/righteous

• putram: a son

• anyam: another

• vṛṇīṣva: choose (imperative)

• vai: indeed/assuredly

Speaker

• Uncertain (context suggests a son addressing the King regarding succession and care in old age; commonly framed as dialogue within royal/dynastic instruction rather than Matsya–Manu flood narrative)

Entities Mentioned

• King (nṛpa)
• sons (putrāḥ)
• dharma (dharma)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Succession
• Heir selection
• Dharma
• Dynasties

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmic dissolution; it focuses on royal household ethics and the practical-dharmic choice of a successor.

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

It emphasizes dharmic succession: a king should entrust responsibility (including care in old age and governance) to a son who is dharmajña—competent, righteous, and fit to uphold rajadharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure appears here; the verse is ethical-political counsel about selecting a worthy heir.