Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Fall

Devanagari script

धर्म्यं मार्गं चिन्तयानो यशस्यं कुर्यात्तपो धर्ममवेक्षमाणः न मद्विधो धर्मबुद्धिर्हि राजा ह्य् एवं कुर्यात्कृपणं मां यथात्थ //

Transliteration

dharmyaṃ mārgaṃ cintayāno yaśasyaṃ kuryāttapo dharmamavekṣamāṇaḥ na madvidho dharmabuddhirhi rājā hy evaṃ kuryātkṛpaṇaṃ māṃ yathāttha //

Translation

Reflecting on the righteous path that brings true renown, a king should practise austerity (tapas) with his gaze fixed upon dharma. For no king possessed of dharma-minded discernment would act as you have—treating me as a wretched and helpless one—just as you yourself declared.

Word by Word

• धर्म्यम् (dharmyam): righteous, in accord with dharma

• मार्गम् (mārgam): path, course of conduct

• चिन्तयानः (cintayānaḥ): reflecting upon, contemplating

• यशस्यम् (yaśasyam): leading to fame/renown (honourable)

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should do, ought to practise

• तपः (tapaḥ): austerity, disciplined restraint

• धर्मम् (dharmam): dharma, righteousness, moral law

• अवेक्षमाणः (avekṣamāṇaḥ): regarding, keeping in view

• न (na): not

• मद्विधः (mad-vidhaḥ): one like me

• धर्मबुद्धिः (dharma-buddhiḥ): dharma-mindedness, moral discernment

• हि (hi): indeed, for

• राजा (rājā): king

• ह्य् एवम् (hy evam): thus, in this manner

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): would do

• कृपणम् (kṛpaṇam): pitiable, wretched, miserly/helpless (contextually “wretched”)

• माम् (mām): me

• यथा (yathā): as, just as

• आथ्थ (āttha): you said, you spoke.

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu in a rajadharma admonition tone

Entities Mentioned

• King (Raja)
• Dharma

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Dharma
• Kingship
• Ethics
• Tapas

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on ethical governance—how a king should pursue dharma and disciplined restraint (tapas).

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

It frames kingship as a moral office: the ruler should contemplate the dharmic path, cultivate tapas (self-restraint and discipline), and never act with cruelty or contempt toward the vulnerable—since such behavior contradicts dharma-buddhi (moral discernment).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is specified here; the practical takeaway is behavioral: dharma-guided self-discipline is presented as the foundation of legitimate rule.