Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Rule

Devanagari script

यत्पृथिव्यां व्रीहियवं हिरण्यं पशवः स्त्रियः नालमेकस्य तत्सर्वम् इति मत्वा शमं व्रजेत् //

Transliteration

yatpṛthivyāṃ vrīhiyavaṃ hiraṇyaṃ paśavaḥ striyaḥ nālamekasya tatsarvam iti matvā śamaṃ vrajet //

Translation

Reflecting that all the rice and barley on earth, along with gold, cattle, and women, are not sufficient to satisfy even a single person completely, one should turn toward śama—tranquility and inner peace.

Word by Word

• yat: whatever

• pṛthivyām: on the earth

• vrīhi-yavam: rice and barley (grain wealth)

• hiraṇyam: gold

• paśavaḥ: cattle/animals (livestock)

• striyaḥ: women (objects of sensual attachment, i.e., desire)

• na alam: are not enough/are insufficient

• ekasya: for one (person)

• tat sarvam: all that

• iti: thus

• matvā: having considered/understanding

• śamam: calmness, mental pacification, equanimity

• vrajet: one should go/attain (should resort to).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu in a didactic discourse)

Tags

• Vairagya
• Shama
• Rajadharma
• Householder ethics
• Detachment

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic creation or Pralaya; it teaches psychological and ethical insight—worldly resources and pleasures cannot fully satisfy desire, so one should cultivate śama (inner calm).

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

It advises rulers and householders to govern and live with restraint: prosperity (grain, gold, cattle) and pleasure can be pursued within dharma, but one must recognize their limits and prioritize self-control and mental peace to avoid greed and instability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the takeaway is internal discipline—cultivating śama as a foundation that supports all dharmic action, including ritual life.