Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

*ययातिरुवाच न मिथ्याहं विक्रयं वै स्मरामि मया कृतं शिशुभावे ऽपि राजन् कुर्यां न चैवाकृतपूर्वमन्यैर् विवित्समानो वसुमन्न साधु //

Transliteration

*yayātiruvāca na mithyāhaṃ vikrayaṃ vai smarāmi mayā kṛtaṃ śiśubhāve 'pi rājan kuryāṃ na caivākṛtapūrvamanyair vivitsamāno vasumanna sādhu //

Translation

Yayāti said: “O king, I do not recall that I ever made a deceitful bargain, not even in childhood. Nor would I do, from a desire for wealth, what the noble have not done before, Vasumān; that is not righteous, that is not dharma.”

Word by Word

• ययातिः उवाच: Yayāti said

• न: not

• मिथ्या-अहम्: I (acting) falsely / deceitfully

• विक्रयम्: sale, bargain, transaction

• वै: indeed

• स्मरामि: I remember

• मया कृतम्: done by me

• शिशु-भावे अपि: even in childhood

• राजन्: O king

• कुर्याम्: I would do

• न च एव: and not indeed

• अकृत-पूर्वम्: unprecedented, not done before

• अन्यैः: by others

• विवित्समानः: wishing to obtain, desiring to acquire

• वसु-मान्: wealth-possessing / (seeking) wealth

• न साधु: not good, not proper, not righteous

Speaker

• King Yayati

Entities Mentioned

• Yayati

Tags

• Dynasties
• Dharma
• Kingship
• Ethics
• Truthfulness

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on personal ethics—truthfulness in transactions and restraint from wealth-driven, unrighteous novelty.

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

It frames dharma as integrity in economic dealings and refusal to pursue wealth through dubious, unprecedented acts—an ideal standard for rulers and householders who shape social trust.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the takeaway is ethical: prosperity should be sought without deceit or adharmic innovation.