Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Fall

Devanagari script

*ययातिरुवाच सन्ति लोका बहवस्ते नरेन्द्र अप्येकैकं सप्त शतान्यहानि मधुच्युतो घृतवन्तो विशोकास् तेनान्तवन्तः प्रतिपालयन्ति //

Transliteration

*yayātiruvāca santi lokā bahavaste narendra apyekaikaṃ sapta śatānyahāni madhucyuto ghṛtavanto viśokās tenāntavantaḥ pratipālayanti //

Translation

Yayāti said: “O king, there are many worlds. In each of them one lives for seven hundred days, abounding in honey and clarified butter (ghṛta), free from sorrow; yet because they are bounded by an end, they are maintained only for a limited term.”

Word by Word

• ययातिः उवाच: Yayāti said

• सन्ति: there are

• लोकाः: worlds/realms

• बहवः: many

• ते: those

• नरेन्द्र: O lord of men/king

• अपि: indeed

• एकैकम्: each one (separately)

• सप्त: seven

• शतानि: hundreds

• अहानि: days

• मधुच्युतः: flowing with honey / yielding honey

• घृतवन्तः: rich in ghee (clarified butter)

• विशोकाः: free from grief/sorrow

• तेन: therefore/for that reason

• अन्तवन्तः: having an end/finite

• प्रतिपालयन्ति: they sustain/maintain (one’s existence/enjoyment there).

Speaker

• King Yayati

Entities Mentioned

• Yayati
• Narendra (addressed king)
• Loka (heavenly realms)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Heavenly realms
• Karma-phala
• Impermanence

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it stresses that even exalted lokas are finite and time-bound, implying cosmic states and enjoyments are impermanent within cyclical time.

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

By reminding a ruler that pleasures and even heavenly rewards end, it urges governance and household life grounded in dharma and merit rather than attachment to temporary enjoyments.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-architecture rule appears here; the verse is a doctrinal note on the limited duration of heavenly enjoyment (karma’s finite fruit).