Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Yayāti and the Kings’ Dialogue on Heavenly Worlds

Devanagari script

*ययातिरुवाच यदर्हास् तद्वदध्वं वः सन्तः सत्यादिदर्शिनः अहं तु नाभिगृह्णामि यत्कृतं न मया पुरा //

Transliteration

*yayātiruvāca yadarhās tadvadadhvaṃ vaḥ santaḥ satyādidarśinaḥ ahaṃ tu nābhigṛhṇāmi yatkṛtaṃ na mayā purā //

Translation

Yayāti said: “O virtuous ones, seers of truth and the like—declare to me what is proper. But I do not accept as mine that which was done earlier not by me.”

Word by Word

• ययातिः (Yayāti): King Yayāti

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• यत् (yat): what

• अर्हास् (arhās): is fitting/proper

• तत् (tat): that

• वदध्वम् (vadadhvam): speak/tell (to me)

• वः (vaḥ): you/your

• सन्तः (santaḥ): good/virtuous persons

• सत्यादिदर्शिनः (satyādidarśinaḥ): those who behold truth and allied virtues (truth, righteousness, etc.)

• अहम् (ahaṃ): I

• तु (tu): however/but

• न (na): not

• अभिगृह्णामि (abhigṛhṇāmi): accept/acknowledge as mine

• यत् (yat): that which

• कृतम् (kṛtam): done

• न (na): not

• मया (mayā): by me

• पुरा (purā): formerly/earlier.

Speaker

• King Yayāti

Entities Mentioned

• Yayāti

Tags

• Dynasties
• Dharma
• Royal Ethics
• Truth
• Responsibility

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on ethical speech and personal accountability within a royal-genealogical narrative.

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

It frames a key dharmic principle for rulers and householders: seek counsel from truthful, virtuous advisers and do not claim ownership (credit or blame) for actions not personally undertaken—emphasizing integrity and responsible governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the verse is ethical-dialogical, not technical-architectural.