Shloka 29

Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Rule

Devanagari script

दत्त्वा च पूरवे राज्यं वनवासाय दीक्षितः पुरात्स निर्ययौ राजा ब्राह्मणैस्तापसैः सह //

Transliteration

dattvā ca pūrave rājyaṃ vanavāsāya dīkṣitaḥ purātsa niryayau rājā brāhmaṇaistāpasaiḥ saha //

Translation

Having bestowed the kingdom upon Pūru, the king—consecrated for the forest-dwelling vow (vanavāsa)—departed from the ancient city, accompanied by Brāhmaṇas and ascetics (tapasvin).

Word by Word

दत्त्वा (dattvā)having given/bestowed

च (ca)and

पूरवे (pūrave)to Puru

राज्यं (rājyaṃ)the kingdom/sovereignty

वनवासाय (vanavāsāya)for forest-dwelling/retirement to the forest

दीक्षितः (dīkṣitaḥ)consecrated, formally initiated (for a vow)

पुरात् (purāt)from the city/fortified town, from the old capital

स (sa)he

निर्ययौ (niryayau)went out, departed

राजा (rājā)the king

ब्राह्मणैः (brāhmaṇaiḥ)with Brahmins

तापसैः (tāpasaiḥ)with ascetics/forest hermits

सह (saha)together with.

Speaker

Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the royal succession narrative

Entities Mentioned

PuruBrahmins (Brāhmaṇas)Ascetics (Tāpasas)The King (unnamed in this verse)

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on dynastic succession and the king’s transition from rulership to forest-retirement.

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

It reflects Rajadharma and the āśrama ideal: a king should ensure stable succession by installing a worthy heir (here, Puru) and then, after fulfilling worldly duties, undertake disciplined retirement (vanavāsa) with spiritual guidance from Brahmins and ascetics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key ritual term is dīkṣitaḥ—“consecrated/initiated”—indicating a formal vow-bound transition into forest-life; no Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse.