Matsya Purana — The Tale of Brahmadatta: Past-life Memory, Shloka 37

Devanagari script

राज्यत्यागफलं सर्वं यदेतद् अभिलष्यते तथेति प्राह राजा तु पुनस्तामभिनन्दयन् //

Transliteration

rājyatyāgaphalaṃ sarvaṃ yadetad abhilaṣyate tatheti prāha rājā tu punastāmabhinandayan //

Translation

రాజ్యత్యాగానికి కావలసిన సంపూర్ణ ఫలమిదే—‘అలానే కావాలి’ అని రాజు మళ్లీ ఆమె మాటలను అభినందిస్తూ పలికాడు.

Word by Word

• राज्य-त्याग-फलम्: the fruit/result of renouncing kingship

• सर्वम्: all/entirely

• यत्: which/that

• एतत्: this

• अभिलष्यते: is desired/longed for

• तथा इति: ‘so be it’/‘thus’

• प्राह: said

• राजा: the king

• तु: indeed/but

• पुनः: again

• ताम्: her/to her (that woman/person addressed)

• अभिनन्दयन्: praising/approving/expressing assent

Speaker

• The King (rājā)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Renunciation
• Kingship
• Ethics
• Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on the ethical-spiritual “fruit” (phala) associated with renouncing royal power.

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

It frames kingship as something that can be relinquished for higher spiritual aims: the king assents that the sought-after reward of renunciation is valid, implying that dharma includes knowing when to rule and when to step aside for liberation-oriented life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu/temple-architecture or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; its significance is moral and dialogical—affirmation of renunciation’s promised benefit.