Matsya Purana — Devayānī–Śarmiṣṭhā Dialogue: Yayāti’s Transgression, Shloka 36

Devanagari script

*शौनक उवाच क्रोधेनोशनसा शप्तो ययातिर्नाहुषस्तदा पूर्वं वयः परित्यज्य जरां सद्यो ऽन्वपद्यत //

Transliteration

*śaunaka uvāca krodhenośanasā śapto yayātirnāhuṣastadā pūrvaṃ vayaḥ parityajya jarāṃ sadyo 'nvapadyata //

Translation

ശൗനകൻ പറഞ്ഞു—അപ്പോൾ നഹുഷപുത്രനായ രാജാവ് യയാതി, ഉശനസ് (ശുക്രൻ) ക്രോധത്തോടെ നൽകിയ ശാപം മൂലം, മുൻ യൗവനം ഉപേക്ഷിച്ച് ക്ഷണത്തിൽ തന്നെ ജരയെ പ്രാപിച്ചു।

Word by Word

• शौनकः: Śaunaka

• उवाच: said

• क्रोधेन: in anger

• उशनसा: by Uśanas/Śukra (the preceptor of the Asuras)

• शप्तः: cursed

• ययातिः: King Yayāti

• नाहुषः: son/descendant of Nahusha

• तदा: then

• पूर्वम्: former

• वयः: youth/prime of life

• परित्यज्य: having abandoned

• जराम्: old age

• सद्यः: immediately

• अन्वपद्यत: entered/was overtaken by

Speaker

• Śaunaka

Entities Mentioned

• Śaunaka
• Uśanas (Śukra)
• Yayāti
• Nahusha

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Curse
• Karma
• Royal Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it presents a karmic-moral event in a royal genealogy where a sage’s curse immediately transforms the king’s condition.

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

It underscores restraint and accountability: a ruler’s conduct can invite powerful consequences, and royal life is bound by dharma and the authority of spiritual preceptors.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-architecture, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; the focus is on the narrative consequence of a curse affecting the king’s age.