Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Rule

Devanagari script

पौरवेणाथ वयसा ययातिर्नहुषात्मजः प्रीतियुक्तो नरश्रेष्ठश् चचार विषयान्प्रियान् //

Transliteration

pauraveṇātha vayasā yayātirnahuṣātmajaḥ prītiyukto naraśreṣṭhaś cacāra viṣayānpriyān //

Translation

Then Yayāti, the son of Nahusha, endowed with Puru’s youth, rejoicing as the best among men, moved about enjoying the pleasures and beloved objects of the senses.

Word by Word

• पौरवेण (pauraveṇa): with Puru’s (youth)

• अथ (atha): then

• वयसा (vayasā): by youth/age (i.e., youthful vigor)

• ययातिः (yayātiḥ): King Yayati

• नहुषात्मजः (nahuṣa-ātmajaḥ): the son of Nahusha

• प्रीतियुक्तः (prīti-yuktaḥ): filled with joy/delighted

• नरश्रेष्ठः (nara-śreṣṭhaḥ): best of men

• चचार (cacāra): he wandered/moved about

• विषयान् (viṣayān): sense-objects, enjoyments

• प्रियान् (priyān): dear, pleasing.

Speaker

• Suta/Narrator (Puranic narration describing Yayati)

Entities Mentioned

• Yayati
• Nahusha
• Puru

Tags

• Dynasties
• Ancient Indian genealogy
• Kingship
• Sense-enjoyment
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is part of the dynastic narrative focusing on Yayati’s enjoyment after obtaining Puru’s youth.

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

It highlights a moral tension central to the Yayati episode: royal power and youth can intensify indulgence in sense-objects, implying the need for restraint (dama) and dharmic governance rather than being ruled by pleasure.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu Shastra, temple architecture, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; it is purely narrative and ethical in tone.