Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

*अष्टक उवाच अहं मन्ये पूर्वमेको ऽभिगन्ता सखा चेन्द्रः सर्वथा मे महात्मा कस्मादेवं शिबिरौशीनरो ऽयम् एको ऽत्ययात् सर्वं वेगेन वाहान् //

Transliteration

*aṣṭaka uvāca ahaṃ manye pūrvameko 'bhigantā sakhā cendraḥ sarvathā me mahātmā kasmādevaṃ śibirauśīnaro 'yam eko 'tyayāt sarvaṃ vegena vāhān //

Translation

Aṣṭaka said: “I used to think that Indra alone was my foremost friend—truly a great-souled ally to me in every way. Why, then, has this Śibi of the Auśīnara line, all by himself, outstripped everyone and carried away the prize with such speed?”

Word by Word

• अष्टक उवाच: Aṣṭaka said

• अहं: I

• मन्ये: think/consider

• पूर्वम्: formerly/earlier

• एकः: alone

• अभिगन्ता: the one who comes to aid/approaches as helper

• सखा: friend

• च: and

• इन्द्रः: Indra

• सर्वथा: in every way

• मे: to me/my

• महात्मा: great-souled/noble

• कस्मात्: why/from what cause

• एवम्: thus/in this manner

• शिबिः: Śibi

• औशीनरः: of the Auśīnara lineage

• अयम्: this (one)

• एकः: alone

• अत्ययात्: surpassed/went beyond/outstripped

• सर्वम्: all/everyone

• वेगेन: with speed/impetus

• वाहान्: carried off/bore away (as if conveying the prize/advantage).

Speaker

• Aṣṭaka

Entities Mentioned

• Aṣṭaka
• Indra
• Śibi Auśīnara

Tags

• Itihasa
• Dynasties
• Dharma
• Kingship
• Merit

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a moral-historical dialogue where Aṣṭaka compares Indra’s friendship with Śibi’s extraordinary achievement, focusing on human merit rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It highlights the Purāṇic ideal that a righteous king (like Śibi) can surpass even celebrated alliances through swift, decisive dharma-driven action—implying that duty and merit, not mere associations, establish lasting fame.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the verse is a reflective statement on reputation, friendship, and the surprising superiority of Śibi’s merit.