Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

*ययातिरुवाच यथा त्वमिन्द्रप्रतिमप्रभावस् तेचाप्यनन्ता नरदेव लोकाः तथाद्य लोके न रमे ऽन्यदत्ते तस्माच्छिबे नाभिनन्दामि वाचम् //

Transliteration

*yayātiruvāca yathā tvamindrapratimaprabhāvas tecāpyanantā naradeva lokāḥ tathādya loke na rame 'nyadatte tasmācchibe nābhinandāmi vācam //

Translation

Yayāti said: “Just as you possess splendor equal to Indra, and just as the realms of kings are indeed endless, so too I do not delight in this world in what is given by another. Therefore, O Śibi, I do not approve your proposal.”

Word by Word

• ययातिः उवाच: Yayāti said

• यथा: just as

• त्वम्: you

• इन्द्र-प्रतिम-प्रभावः: having power/splendor comparable to Indra

• ते: your/and those

• च अपि: and also

• अनन्ताः: endless, innumerable

• नर-देव-लोकाः: the worlds/kingdoms of human ‘gods’ (kings)

• तथा: likewise

• अद्य: now/at present

• लोके: in the world

• न रमे: I do not rejoice/delight

• अन्य-दत्ते: in what is given by another

• तस्मात्: therefore

• शिबे: O Śibi

• न अभिनन्दामि: I do not welcome/approve

• वाचम्: speech/statement/proposal

Speaker

• King Yayāti

Entities Mentioned

• Yayāti
• Indra
• Śibi

Tags

• Dynasties
• Dispassion
• Kingship
• Ethics
• Detachment

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on ethical detachment—Yayāti rejects enjoyment that depends on another’s gift, even if kingdoms are ‘endless’.

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

It highlights self-reliance and restraint: a ruler (or householder) should not base happiness on what is obtained from others, and should evaluate offers by dharma rather than by allure or status.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple-building or ritual procedure is mentioned; the takeaway is moral-philosophical—renunciation of dependent enjoyment (anyadatta).