Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Rule

Devanagari script

अभिषेक्तुकामं च नृपं पूरुं पुत्रं कनीयसम् ब्राह्मणप्रमुखा वर्णा इदं वचनमब्रुवन् //

Transliteration

abhiṣektukāmaṃ ca nṛpaṃ pūruṃ putraṃ kanīyasam brāhmaṇapramukhā varṇā idaṃ vacanamabruvan //

Translation

When the king wished to consecrate (crown) Pūru—his youngest son—the social orders, headed by the Brāhmaṇas, spoke these words.

Word by Word

• abhīṣektu-kāmam: desiring to anoint/crown

• ca: and

• nṛpam: the king

• pūrum: Pūru (proper name)

• putram: son

• kanīyasam: the youngest/younger

• brāhmaṇa-pramukhāḥ: headed by Brāhmaṇas

• varṇāḥ: the social classes/orders

• idam: this

• vacanam: speech/statement

• abruvan: they said/spoke

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator within the Matsya Purana tradition; typically Sūta relating the dynastic account)

Entities Mentioned

• Pūru
• Brāhmaṇas
• Varṇas

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Rajadharma
• Abhisheka
• Social Order

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it belongs to the dynastic and royal-succession narrative, focusing on coronation (abhiṣeka) and social endorsement of kingship.

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

It frames kingship as a ritually sanctioned office: the king’s consecration is presented as a public act, acknowledged by the varṇas—especially Brāhmaṇas—implying that righteous rule (rājadharma) is tied to ritual legitimacy and social consensus.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is abhiṣeka (royal anointing/coronation), indicating that accession to rule is formalized through consecration rites conducted/validated by Brāhmaṇas, rather than being merely hereditary or force-based.