Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Dialogue: Seniority

Devanagari script

*अष्टक उवाच अवादीस्त्वं वयसास्मि प्रवृद्ध इति वै राजन्न् अधिकः कथंचित् यो वै विद्वांस्तपसा सम्प्रवृद्धः स एव पूज्यो भवति द्विजानाम् //

Transliteration

*aṣṭaka uvāca avādīstvaṃ vayasāsmi pravṛddha iti vai rājann adhikaḥ kathaṃcit yo vai vidvāṃstapasā sampravṛddhaḥ sa eva pūjyo bhavati dvijānām //

Translation

Aṣṭaka said: “You have declared, ‘I am advanced in age,’ O King; yet superiority holds only in a certain sense. He alone—who is truly learned and has grown great through austerity (tapas)—is worthy of honor among the twice-born (dvija).”},{

Word by Word

• अष्टक (aṣṭaka): Aṣṭaka

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• अवादीः (avādīḥ): you have said/declared

• त्वम् (tvam): you

• वयसा (vayasā): by age

• अस्मि (asmi): I am

• प्रवृद्धः (pravṛddhaḥ): grown/advanced (in years)

• इति (iti): thus

• वै (vai): indeed

• राजन् (rājan): O King

• अधिकः (adhikaḥ): superior/greater

• कथंचित् (kathaṃcit): in some respect/only conditionally

• यः (yaḥ): he who

• वै (vai): indeed

• विद्वान् (vidvān): learned/wise

• तपसा (tapasā): by austerity/ascetic discipline

• सम्प्रवृद्धः (sampravṛddhaḥ): fully matured/increased (in spiritual power)

• सः एव (sa eva): he alone

• पूज्यः (pūjyaḥ): worthy of worship/respect

• भवति (bhavati): becomes/is

• द्विजानाम् (dvijānām): of the twice-born (Brahmins and other initiated varṇas).

Speaker

• Aṣṭaka

Entities Mentioned

• Aṣṭaka
• King (Rājan)
• Dvijas (the twice-born)

Tags

• Dharma
• Rajadharma
• Tapas
• Vidya
• Respect for Brahmins

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it teaches an ethical principle: spiritual stature comes from knowledge and austerity, not from age alone.

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

It advises a king to assess merit correctly—honoring those who are genuinely wise and disciplined—supporting righteous governance and proper social reverence toward spiritually accomplished dvijas.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or iconographic rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is about eligibility for honor (pūjā/respect): learned ascetics are foremost among the dvijas.