Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Yayati and Indra: Counsel on Forbearance and Right Speech

Devanagari script

*शक्र उवाच यदा स पूरुस्तव रूपेण राजञ् जरां गृहीत्वा प्रचचार लोके तदा राज्यं सम्प्रदायैव तस्मै त्वया किमुक्तः कथयेह सत्यम् //

Transliteration

*śakra uvāca yadā sa pūrustava rūpeṇa rājañ jarāṃ gṛhītvā pracacāra loke tadā rājyaṃ sampradāyaiva tasmai tvayā kimuktaḥ kathayeha satyam //

Translation

Śakra said: “When Pūru, assuming your form, O King, took upon himself old age and moved about in the world, and when you then handed over the kingdom to him—what did you say to him? Tell the truth here.”

Word by Word

• śakraḥ: Indra

• uvāca: said

• yadā: when

• saḥ: he

• pūruḥ: Puru

• tava: your

• rūpeṇa: in (the) form

• rājan: O king

• jarām: old age

• gṛhītvā: having taken/accepted

• pracacāra: wandered/moved about

• loke: in the world

• tadā: then

• rājyam: the kingdom

• sampradāya: having duly handed over

• eva: indeed

• tasmai: to him

• tvayā: by you

• kim: what

• uktaḥ: said/spoken

• kathaya: tell

• iha: here

• satyam: the truth.

Speaker

• Śakra (Indra)

Entities Mentioned

• Śakra (Indra)
• Puru
• King (Yayāti implied)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Kingship
• Dharma
• Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on a royal lineage episode—Puru accepting old age and the formal transfer of kingship.

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

It highlights rājyasampradāna (orderly transfer of sovereignty) and truthfulness in recounting events—core royal duties tied to dharma: proper succession and honest testimony.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is narrative and ethical, centered on succession and the acceptance of old age.