Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Forest-Renunciation

Devanagari script

स गतः स्वर्गवासं तु न्यवसन्मुदितः सुखी कालस्य नातिमहतः पुनः शक्रेण पातितः //

Transliteration

sa gataḥ svargavāsaṃ tu nyavasanmuditaḥ sukhī kālasya nātimahataḥ punaḥ śakreṇa pātitaḥ //

Translation

He went to dwell in heaven and lived there, joyful and at ease; but after no very long time, he was again cast down by Śakra (Indra).

Word by Word

• स (sa): he

• गतः (gataḥ): having gone

• स्वर्गवासम् (svargavāsam): residence in heaven

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• न्यवसत् (nyavasat): dwelt, lived

• मुदितः (muditaḥ): delighted, joyful

• सुखी (sukhī): happy, at ease

• कालस्य (kālasya): of time/after time

• नातिमहतः (nātimahataḥ): not very great, not very long

• पुनः (punaḥ): again

• शक्रेण (śakreṇa): by Śakra (Indra)

• पातितः (pātitaḥ): made to fall, cast down

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the episode (narrative voice within the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Śakra (Indra)
• Svarga (heaven)

Tags

• Svarga
• Indra
• Karma-phala
• Fall-from-heaven
• Puranic-narrative

FAQs

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

It does not address Pralaya directly; it emphasizes the impermanence of heavenly residence (svarga) and the inevitability of change through time and karma.

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

It underscores that even svarga is temporary; therefore a king or householder should prioritize dharma and lasting merit (punya) rather than seeking only pleasure or status, which can be lost through shifting cosmic politics and karma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; the takeaway is ethical-philosophical—heavenly rewards are finite and can end abruptly.