Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Fall

Devanagari script

*ययातिरुवाच अनिकेतगृहस्थेषु कामवृत्तेषु संयतः ग्राम एव चरन्भिक्षुस् तयोः पूर्वतरं गतः //

Transliteration

*yayātiruvāca aniketagṛhastheṣu kāmavṛtteṣu saṃyataḥ grāma eva caranbhikṣus tayoḥ pūrvataraṃ gataḥ //

Translation

Yayāti said: “Self-restrained among householders who have no fixed abode and who live by desire, the mendicant, moving about within the village alone, went ahead of them earlier.”

Word by Word

• ययातिः उवाच: Yayāti said

• अनिकेत-गृहस्थेषु: among householders without a fixed dwelling/settled home

• काम-वृत्तेषु: among those whose conduct is driven by desire

• संयतः: restrained, self-controlled

• ग्रामे एव: in the village itself

• चरन्: moving about, wandering

• भिक्षुः: mendicant, alms-seeker

• तयोः: of those two / of them

• पूर्वतरम्: earlier, beforehand

• गतः: went

Speaker

• King Yayati

Entities Mentioned

• Yayati
• Bhikshu (mendicant)
• Grihasthas (householders)

Tags

• Yayati
• Renunciation
• Self-control
• Dharma
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on ethical discipline—contrasting desire-driven household life with the self-restraint of a mendicant.

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

By highlighting a bhikṣu’s self-control amid desire-led householders, it implicitly urges rulers and householders to govern and live with restraint, not merely follow kāma (desire).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the practical takeaway is social-spiritual: disciplined conduct while moving through ordinary village life.