Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Fall

Devanagari script

*अष्टक उवाच केनाद्य त्वं तु प्रहितो ऽसि राजन् युवा स्रग्वी दर्शनीयः सुवर्चाः कुत आगतः कतमस्यां दिशि त्वमुताहोस्वित्पार्थिवस्थानम् अस्ति //

Transliteration

*aṣṭaka uvāca kenādya tvaṃ tu prahito 'si rājan yuvā sragvī darśanīyaḥ suvarcāḥ kuta āgataḥ katamasyāṃ diśi tvamutāhosvitpārthivasthānam asti //

Translation

Aṣṭaka said: “By whom have you been sent here today, O king? You are youthful, garlanded, handsome, and radiant. From where have you come, and in which direction do you dwell? Or is there, perhaps, a royal abode—a kingdom—where you are established?”

Word by Word

• अष्टक (aṣṭaka): Aṣṭaka

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• केन (kena): by whom

• अद्य (adya): today/now

• त्वम् (tvam): you

• तु (tu): indeed

• प्रहितः (prahitaḥ): sent/dispatched

• असि (asi): are

• राजन् (rājan): O king

• युवा (yuvā): youthful

• स्रग्वी (sragvī): wearing a garland

• दर्शनीयः (darśanīyaḥ): worthy to be seen/beautiful

• सुवर्चाः (suvarcāḥ): radiant, of splendid lustre

• कुतः (kutaḥ): from where

• आगतः (āgataḥ): come/arrived

• कतमस्याम् (katamasyām): in which (direction/place)

• दिशि (diśi): direction/quarter

• त्वम् (tvam): you

• उत (uta): or

• अहोस्वित् (aho svit): perhaps/indeed (expressing wonder)

• पार्थिव-स्थानम् (pārthiva-sthānam): royal station/kingly realm/abode of a ruler

• अस्ति (asti): is/exists.

Speaker

• Aṣṭaka

Entities Mentioned

• Aṣṭaka

Tags

• RoyalDialogue
• Genealogy
• Kingship
• CourtEtiquette
• PuranicNarrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a narrative inquiry in a royal-legend context, focusing on identity, origin, and political standing.

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

It reflects royal protocol and dharmic discernment: a ruler (or noble) is expected to question a visitor’s commission, origin, and political affiliation before offering hospitality or alliance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified; the only relevant term is “pārthiva-sthānam,” implying a king’s seat/realm—useful for interpreting political geography rather than architecture.