Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

*शिबिरुवाच पृच्छामि त्वां शिबिरौशीनरो ऽहं ममापि लोका यदि सन्ति तात यद्यन्तरिक्षे यदि वा दिवि श्रिताः क्षेत्रज्ञं त्वां तस्य धर्मस्य मन्ये //

Transliteration

*śibiruvāca pṛcchāmi tvāṃ śibirauśīnaro 'haṃ mamāpi lokā yadi santi tāta yadyantarikṣe yadi vā divi śritāḥ kṣetrajñaṃ tvāṃ tasya dharmasya manye //

Translation

Śibi said: “I ask you—I am Śibi, the son of Uśīnara. Tell me, dear one, whether there are worlds (realms of attainment) for me as well—whether they abide in the mid-region (antarikṣa) or are established in heaven. I regard you as the knower of the field (kṣetrajña), and as one who understands that Dharma.”

Word by Word

• शिबिरुवाच (śibiruvāca): Śibi said

• पृच्छामि (pṛcchāmi): I ask/inquire

• त्वां (tvām): you

• शिबिरौशीनरः (śibirauśīnaraḥ): Śibi, descendant/son of Uśīnara

• अहं (aham): I

• मम अपि (mama api): for me also

• लोकाः (lokāḥ): worlds/realms

• यदि (yadi): if/whether

• सन्ति (santi): exist/are

• तात (tāta): dear one/son (term of address)

• यद्य् (yad): whether

• अन्तरिक्षे (antarikṣe): in the mid-region/atmosphere

• यदि वा (yadi vā): or if

• दिवि (divi): in heaven

• श्रिताः (śritāḥ): situated/established

• क्षेत्रज्ञम् (kṣetrajñam): knower of the field (Self/wise knower)

• त्वाम् (tvām): you

• तस्य (tasya): of that

• धर्मस्य (dharmasya): of Dharma/righteous law

• मन्ये (manye): I consider/I think

Speaker

• King Śibi (Śibirauśīnara)

Entities Mentioned

• Śibi
• Uśīnara
• Dharma (as principle of righteousness)
• Kṣetrajña (knower of the field / Self)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Afterlife realms (Lokas)
• Dharma inquiry
• Self-knowledge (Kṣetrajña)
• Puranic dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it focuses on the ethical–spiritual question of “lokas” (realms attained after death) and the authority of Dharma/inner knowledge (kṣetrajña) rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It portrays an ideal ruler’s mindset: a king does not merely seek power but seeks clarity about Dharma and the fruits of action (attainable lokas). The verse frames kingship as accountable to righteousness and to higher spiritual understanding.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple-building or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; the key technical term is kṣetrajña, pointing to ethical discernment and inner knowledge rather than architecture.