Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Dialogue: Seniority

Devanagari script

अनित्यतां सुखदुःखस्य बुद्ध्वा कस्मात् संतापमष्टकाहं भजेयम् किं कुर्यां वै किंच कृत्वा न तप्ये तस्मात्संतापं वर्जयाम्यप्रमत्तः //

Transliteration

anityatāṃ sukhaduḥkhasya buddhvā kasmāt saṃtāpamaṣṭakāhaṃ bhajeyam kiṃ kuryāṃ vai kiṃca kṛtvā na tapye tasmātsaṃtāpaṃ varjayāmyapramattaḥ //

Translation

Having understood the impermanent nature of pleasure and pain, why should I resort to burning grief? What indeed can I do—what can I do at all—so that I would not be tormented? Therefore, remaining vigilant, I abandon sorrow.

Word by Word

• अनित्यताम् (anityatām): impermanence

• सुखदुःखस्य (sukha-duḥkhasya): of pleasure and pain

• बुद्ध्वा (buddhvā): having understood/realized

• कस्मात् (kasmāt): why/from what reason

• संतापम् (saṁtāpam): grief, burning distress

• अहम् (aham): I

• भजेयम् (bhajeyam): should resort to/embrace

• किम् (kim): what?

• कुर्याम् (kuryām): should I do

• वै (vai): indeed

• किञ्च (kiṁ ca): and what (else)

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having done/doing

• न (na): not

• तप्ये (tapye): would burn/be tormented

• तस्मात् (tasmāt): therefore

• संतापम् (saṁtāpam): grief/distress

• वर्जयामि (varjayāmi): I avoid/abandon

• अप्रमत्तः (apramattaḥ): vigilant, not careless, attentive

Speaker

• Likely Vaivasvata Manu (in reflective discourse within the Matsya–Manu dialogue); alternatively a didactic voice in the narrative emphasizing vairagya.

Tags

• Vairagya
• Moksha-Dharma
• Ethics
• Mental Discipline
• Impermanence

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic pralaya directly; it applies the same Purāṇic insight of transience—everything that arises (including joy and sorrow) passes—so grief is seen as an avoidable mental fire.

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

It recommends apramāda (vigilant self-control): a king or householder should not be ruled by emotional distress, but act steadily, recognizing that pleasure and pain are temporary and should not derail dharma-driven decisions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple-building or ritual procedure is stated; the practical takeaway is inner discipline—maintaining alertness and composure—which supports successful performance of duties and rites without being consumed by grief.