Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Fall

Devanagari script

कुर्यामपूर्वं न कृतं यदन्यैर् विवित्समानः किम् उ तत्र साधुः ब्रुवाणमेवं नृपतिं ययातिं नृपोत्तमो वसुमानब्रवीत् तम् //

Transliteration

kuryāmapūrvaṃ na kṛtaṃ yadanyair vivitsamānaḥ kim u tatra sādhuḥ bruvāṇamevaṃ nṛpatiṃ yayātiṃ nṛpottamo vasumānabravīt tam //

Translation

“Let us first do something unprecedented—something not done by others before. If one seeks to know it and accomplish it, what fault is there in that?” Thus speaking to King Yayāti, the excellent king Vasumān addressed him.

Word by Word

• kur-yāma: let us do/may we do

• apūrvam: unprecedented, new

• na kṛtam: not done

• yat: which/that

• anyaiḥ: by others

• vivitsamānaḥ: desiring to know, wishing to ascertain

• kim u: what indeed/what then

• tatra: in that matter

• sādhuḥ: proper, good, right

• bruvāṇam: speaking

• evam: thus

• nṛpatim: the king

• yayātim: Yayāti (proper name)

• nṛpa-uttamaḥ: the best of kings

• vasumān: Vasumān (proper name)

• abravīt: said/spoke

• tam: to him

Speaker

• King Vasumān (addressing King Yayāti)

Entities Mentioned

• Yayāti
• Vasumān

Tags

• Dynasties
• Royal counsel
• Resolve
• Dharma
• Puranic genealogy

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it belongs to a dynastic/royal narrative where a king urges undertaking an unprecedented course of action.

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

It frames a kingly attitude of purposeful resolve—seeking knowledge and undertaking bold but ‘proper’ (sādhu) action—suggesting that initiative is commendable when aligned with righteousness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the emphasis is on counsel and motivation within a royal dialogue.