Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Forest-Renunciation

Devanagari script

देवराजसमो ह्य् आसीद् ययातिः पृथिवीपतिः वर्धनः कुरुवंशस्य विभावसुसमद्युतिः //

Transliteration

devarājasamo hy āsīd yayātiḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ vardhanaḥ kuruvaṃśasya vibhāvasusamadyutiḥ //

Translation

Yayāti, lord of the earth, was indeed equal to the king of the gods; he increased the Kuru lineage, radiant with a splendor like that of Vibhāvasu (the Sun).

Word by Word

• devarāja-samaḥ: equal to the king of the gods (Indra)

• hi: indeed

• āsīt: was

• yayātiḥ: (King) Yayāti

• pṛthivī-patiḥ: lord of the earth/king

• vardhanaḥ: increaser, promoter

• kuru-vaṃśasya: of the Kuru dynasty/lineage

• vibhāvasu-sama-dyutiḥ: having radiance like Vibhāvasu (Sun/Agni), sun-like in splendor

Speaker

• Suta (traditional Purana narrator), within the Matsya Purana’s dynastic narration

Entities Mentioned

• Yayati
• Devaraja (Indra)
• Kuru Dynasty (Kuruvaṃśa)
• Vibhavasu (Sun/Agni)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Kingship
• Royal Splendor
• Kuru Lineage

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it functions as dynastic praise, presenting Yayāti as an Indra-like sovereign whose brilliance and merit strengthen the Kuru lineage.

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

By portraying Yayāti as ‘lord of the earth’ and a ‘promoter of the lineage,’ the verse reflects the Matsya Purana’s royal ethic: a king’s dharma is to protect the realm, uphold fame and order, and secure continuity and prosperity for the dynasty and subjects.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated directly; the key takeaway is symbolic—sun-like radiance indicates royal tejas (legitimate authority and auspicious power), a quality often invoked in consecratory contexts though not specified in this shloka.