Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Dialogue: Seniority

Devanagari script

*शौनक उवाच एवं ब्रुवाणं नृपतिं ययातिम् अथाष्टकः पुनरेवान्वपृच्छत् मातामहं सर्वगुणोपपन्नं यत्र स्थितं स्वर्गलोके यथावत् //

Transliteration

*śaunaka uvāca evaṃ bruvāṇaṃ nṛpatiṃ yayātim athāṣṭakaḥ punarevānvapṛcchat mātāmahaṃ sarvaguṇopapannaṃ yatra sthitaṃ svargaloke yathāvat //

Translation

Śaunaka said: As King Yayāti spoke thus, Aṣṭaka again questioned him—asking, in due order, where in the heavenly world his grandfather, endowed with every virtue, was residing.

Word by Word

• शौनकः: Śaunaka

• उवाच: said

• एवम्: thus

• ब्रुवाणम्: speaking

• नृपतिम्: the king

• ययातिम्: Yayāti

• अथ: then

• अष्टकः: Aṣṭaka

• पुनर् एव: again

• अन्वपृच्छत्: questioned/followed up with a query

• मातामहम्: maternal grandfather

• सर्व-गुण-उपपन्नम्: endowed with all virtues/excellences

• यत्र: where

• स्थितम्: situated/residing

• स्वर्ग-लोके: in the heavenly realm

• यथा-वत्: properly/as it truly is/in due sequence.

Speaker

• Śaunaka (narrator framing the dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Śaunaka
• Yayāti
• Aṣṭaka
• mātāmaha (grandfather)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Svarga
• Ancestral merit
• Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it frames a genealogical-heavenly inquiry, focusing on where a virtuous ancestor resides in Svarga.

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

By emphasizing a forebear “endowed with all virtues” and his place in heaven, it indirectly reinforces the Purāṇic ethic that righteous conduct (dharma, virtues, merit) determines posthumous destiny—an ideal for kings and householders alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple-architecture rule appears in this verse; its significance is narrative—establishing a question about heavenly placement tied to virtue and merit.