Matsya Purana — Yayāti’s Forest-Renunciation, Shloka 2

Devanagari script

उषित्वा वनवासं स ब्राह्मणैः सह संश्रितः फलमूलाशनो दान्तो यथा स्वर्गमितो गतः //

Transliteration

uṣitvā vanavāsaṃ sa brāhmaṇaiḥ saha saṃśritaḥ phalamūlāśano dānto yathā svargamito gataḥ //

Translation

வனவாசத்தில் தங்கி, பிராமணர்களின் சங்கத்தைச் சார்ந்து, பழம்-வேர் மட்டும் உண்டு, தன்னடக்கத்துடன் இருந்து, ஸ்வர்கத்தை அடைந்ததுபோல் அவர் புறப்பட்டார்।

Word by Word

• uṣitvā: having dwelt/lived

• vanavāsam: forest-residence, life in the woods

• sa: he

• brāhmaṇaiḥ: with Brāhmaṇas

• saha: together with

• saṃśritaḥ: having taken refuge/associated closely

• phala-mūla-aśanaḥ: one who eats fruits and roots

• dāntaḥ: self-controlled, disciplined

• yathā: as/just as if

• svarga-mitaḥ: having gone to heaven / having attained heaven

• gataḥ: went, departed

Speaker

• Likely Sūta (narratorial voice) relaying the Purāṇic account; framed within the Matsya Purana’s teaching discourse tradition

Entities Mentioned

• Brāhmaṇas
• Svarga (Heaven)

Tags

• Vanaprastha
• Dharma
• Tapas
• Brahmana-sanga
• Svarga

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on personal dharma—forest-dwelling, restraint, and the karmic fruit of attaining heaven.

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

It supports the Purāṇic model that even rulers/householders may adopt vanaprastha ideals—seeking Brāhmaṇa guidance, simplifying diet (fruits and roots), and practicing self-control as a meritorious life-stage leading to higher worlds.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is the ascetic regimen (phala-mūla diet, disciplined conduct) and the sanctifying value of association with Brāhmaṇas.