Shloka 13

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

Devanagari script

*अष्टक उवाच कस्यैते प्रतिदृश्यन्ते रथाः पञ्च हिरण्मयाः उच्चैः सन्तः प्रकाशन्ते ज्वलन्तो ऽग्निशिखा इव //

Transliteration

*aṣṭaka uvāca kasyaite pratidṛśyante rathāḥ pañca hiraṇmayāḥ uccaiḥ santaḥ prakāśante jvalanto 'gniśikhā iva //

Translation

Aṣṭaka said: “Whose are these five golden chariots that are seen here? Lofty and radiant, they shine forth like blazing tongues of fire.”

Word by Word

• aṣṭakaḥ uvāca: Aṣṭaka said

• kasya: of whom/whose

• ete: these

• pratidṛśyante: are seen/appear before (the eyes)

• rathāḥ: chariots

• pañca: five

• hiraṇmayāḥ: made of gold/golden

• uccaiḥ: high, aloft, lofty

• santaḥ: being/standing (there), existing

• prakāśante: shine, appear bright

• jvalantaḥ: blazing, flaming

• agni-śikhāḥ: flames/tongues of fire

• iva: like/as if

Speaker

• Aṣṭaka (a royal-sage figure in the narrative dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Aṣṭaka
• rathāḥ (five golden chariots)
• agni (fire)

Tags

• Dialogue
• Celestial imagery
• Chariots
• Rishi narrative
• Puranic symbolism

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe Pralaya; it uses luminous, fire-like imagery to mark a divine or otherworldly vision, typical of Purāṇic narrative scenes rather than cosmological dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it models the ideal of inquiry: a noble figure (Aṣṭaka) respectfully asks for identification and meaning before judging appearances—an ethical posture aligned with rājadharma (discernment, humility, and seeking counsel).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; however, the comparison to “flames of fire” reflects a common ritual-aesthetic vocabulary (tejas, brilliance) used in describing divine objects and auspicious manifestations.