Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Rule

Devanagari script

मातापित्रोर्वचनकृद् धितः पथ्यश्च यः सुतः स पुत्रः पुत्रवद्यश्च वर्तते पितृमातृषु //

Transliteration

mātāpitrorvacanakṛd dhitaḥ pathyaśca yaḥ sutaḥ sa putraḥ putravadyaśca vartate pitṛmātṛṣu //

Translation

That son who carries out the words of his mother and father—who is beneficial and acts in a wholesome, proper way—he alone is truly a ‘son’; and likewise, whoever conducts himself toward his parents as a son should, is to be regarded as a son.

Word by Word

• mātā-pitroḥ: of the mother and father

• vacana-kṛt: one who does (obeys) the instruction/word

• dhitaḥ: beneficial, doing good

• pathyaḥ: wholesome, proper, salutary

• ca: and

• yaḥ: who

• sutaḥ: son

• saḥ: he

• putraḥ: (true) son

• putra-vat: like a son / in the manner of a son

• yaḥ: who

• ca: and

• vartate: behaves, conducts himself

• pitṛ-mātṛṣu: toward/with respect to father and mother

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Mother
• Father
• Son (Putra)

Tags

• Dharma
• Grihastha
• Filial duty
• Ethics
• Matsya Purana teachings

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches dharma in family life—defining a ‘true son’ by service and obedience to parents.

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

It frames an ethical standard central to gṛhastha-nīti: honoring and obeying parents. For a householder (and by extension a ruler), self-discipline begins at home—serving elders, following wholesome counsel, and sustaining family order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is indirect—pitṛ-mātṛ-sevā (service to parents) is treated as a foundational dharmic practice that supports merit and right conduct.