Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Dialogue: Seniority

Devanagari script

अहं हि पूर्वो वयसा भवद्भयस् तेनाभिवादं भवतां न युञ्जे यो विद्यया तपसा जन्मना वा वृद्धः स वै सम्भवति द्विजानाम् //

Transliteration

ahaṃ hi pūrvo vayasā bhavadbhayas tenābhivādaṃ bhavatāṃ na yuñje yo vidyayā tapasā janmanā vā vṛddhaḥ sa vai sambhavati dvijānām //

Translation

“I am indeed older than you in years; therefore I do not offer you the formal salutation. For among the twice-born (dvija), the one truly senior is he who is advanced in learning, in austerity (tapas), or by birth.”},{

Word by Word

• aham: I

• hi: indeed

• pūrvaḥ: earlier/older

• vayasā: by age

• bhavadbhyaḥ: than you (pl.)

• tena: therefore

• abhivādam: formal salutation/reverential greeting

• bhavatām: to you (pl., honorific)

• na yuñje: I do not perform/apply

• yaḥ: who

• vidyayā: by knowledge/learning

• tapasā: by austerity

• janmanā: by birth/lineage

• vā: or

• vṛddhaḥ: elder/senior

• saḥ: he

• vai: indeed

• sambhavati: is considered/comes to be

• dvijānām: among the twice-born (Brahmana/Kshatriya/Vaishya).

Speaker

• Likely a senior dvija/teacher-figure within the Adhyaya’s discourse on sadācāra (exact named speaker not explicit from the single verse)

Entities Mentioned

• Dvija

Tags

• Dharma
• Sadachara
• Varna-ashrama
• Etiquette
• Respect

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on dharma—how seniority and respect are determined among the twice-born.

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

It sets a social-ethical standard: rulers and householders should honor true seniority—learning (vidyā) and austerity (tapas)—not merely age, shaping fair conduct toward priests, teachers, and elders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule appears here; the ritual element is the etiquette of abhivāda (formal salutation), framed by dharma and proper social hierarchy.