Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Rule

Devanagari script

कथं शुक्रस्य दौहित्रं देवयान्याः सुतं प्रभो ज्येष्ठं यदुमतिक्रम्य राज्यं पूरोः प्रदास्यसि //

Transliteration

kathaṃ śukrasya dauhitraṃ devayānyāḥ sutaṃ prabho jyeṣṭhaṃ yadumatikramya rājyaṃ pūroḥ pradāsyasi //

Translation

O Lord, how can you pass over Yadu—the eldest son, the grandson of Śukra and the son of Devayānī—and grant the kingdom to Pūru?

Word by Word

• katham: how

• śukrasya: of Śukra (Śukrācārya)

• dauhitram: grandson (daughter’s son)

• devayānyāḥ: of Devayānī

• sutam: son

• prabho: O Lord

• jyeṣṭham: the eldest

• yadum: Yadu

• atikramya: bypassing, passing over

• rājyam: kingdom, sovereignty

• pūroḥ: to Pūru / of Pūru

• pradāsyasi: you will give, you will bestow

Speaker

• Narrator/Interlocutor in the Yayati episode (a question posed to the ruling authority, traditionally framed within Sūta’s narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Śukra (Śukrācārya)
• Devayānī
• Yadu
• Pūru

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Succession
• Kingship
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a dynastic narrative focused on legitimacy and succession within a royal lineage.

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

It highlights a central dharmic concern in kingship: succession should appear justifiable—especially regarding primogeniture, lineage prestige, and the perceived merit of heirs.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the verse is strictly concerned with royal genealogy and the ethics of bestowing sovereignty.