Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

साध्वष्टक प्रब्रवीमीह सत्यं प्रतर्दनं वसुमन्तं शिबिं च / सर्वे देवा मुनयश्च लोकाः सत्येन पूज्या इति मे मनोगतम् //

Transliteration

sādhvaṣṭaka prabravīmīha satyaṃ pratardanaṃ vasumantaṃ śibiṃ ca / sarve devā munayaśca lokāḥ satyena pūjyā iti me manogatam //

Translation

Truly, I declare here this noble teaching: remember Pratardana, Vasumant, and Śibi as models of truth. For it is my settled conviction that all—gods, sages, and the worlds—are to be honored through truthfulness.

Word by Word

• sādhu: good, virtuous

• aṣṭaka: an octad/eightfold set (here: a noble set of exemplars/teaching)

• prabravīmi: I proclaim, I declare

• iha: here (in this context)

• satyam: truth, truthfulness

• pratardanam: Pratardana (a righteous king)

• vasumantam: Vasumant (a king, possessor of wealth/virtue)

• śibim: Śibi (the famed self-sacrificing king)

• ca: and

• sarve: all

• devāḥ: gods

• munayaḥ: sages

• ca: and

• lokāḥ: worlds/people

• satyena: by/through truth

• pūjyāḥ: worthy of honor, to be revered

• iti: thus

• me: my

• manogatam: settled in the mind, conviction.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana dialogues on dharma)

Entities Mentioned

• Pratardana
• Vasumant
• Śibi
• Devas
• Munis
• Lokas

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Satya
• Ethics
• Exemplary Kings
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya or cosmology; it emphasizes satya (truth) as a universal principle by which even gods, sages, and all worlds are honored.

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

It frames truthfulness as a core duty of ethical life: kings gain legitimacy and lasting honor through satya, and householders uphold social trust and dharma through truthful speech and integrity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu/temple-architecture rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is that truth itself is presented as a prerequisite for genuine pūjā (worthiness of honor) and moral sanctity.