Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Forest-Renunciation

Devanagari script

ययातिर्नाहुषो राजा पूरुं पुत्रं कनीयसम् राज्ये ऽभिषिच्य मुदितः प्रवव्राज वनं तदा //

Transliteration

yayātirnāhuṣo rājā pūruṃ putraṃ kanīyasam rājye 'bhiṣicya muditaḥ pravavrāja vanaṃ tadā //

Translation

Then King Yayāti, the son of Nahusha, joyfully installed his younger son Puru as ruler of the kingdom and set out for the forest in renunciation.

Word by Word

• ययातिः: Yayāti

• नाहुषः: son/descendant of Nahusha

• राजा: king

• पूरुम्: Puru

• पुत्रम्: son

• कनीयसम्: the younger (son)

• राज्ये: in the kingdom/as sovereign

• अभिषिच्य: having consecrated/installed (by royal anointing)

• मुदितः: delighted, joyful

• प्रवव्राज: departed as a renunciant/went forth

• वनम्: to the forest

• तदा: then

Speaker

• Suta-like Purana narrator (genealogical narration within Matsya Purana’s discourse tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Yayati
• Nahusha
• Puru

Tags

• Dynasties
• Ancient Indian genealogy
• Rajadharma
• Renunciation
• Succession

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on dynastic succession—Yayāti’s consecration of Puru—and the king’s withdrawal to the forest, a theme of renunciation rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It highlights rajadharma: ensuring stable succession through formal abhiṣeka (consecration) and then embracing the forest-life ideal (retirement/renunciation) after transferring authority—an ethical model for orderly governance and life-stage transition.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key ritual term is "abhiṣicya" (royal anointing/consecration), indicating a formal coronation rite; no Vastu or temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse.