Matsya Purana — Yayati and Indra: Counsel on Forbearance and Right Speech, Shloka 4

Devanagari script

*शक्र उवाच यदा स पूरुस्तव रूपेण राजञ् जरां गृहीत्वा प्रचचार लोके तदा राज्यं सम्प्रदायैव तस्मै त्वया किमुक्तः कथयेह सत्यम् //

Transliteration

*śakra uvāca yadā sa pūrustava rūpeṇa rājañ jarāṃ gṛhītvā pracacāra loke tadā rājyaṃ sampradāyaiva tasmai tvayā kimuktaḥ kathayeha satyam //

Translation

ศักระกล่าวว่า “ข้าแต่พระราชา เมื่อปูรูรับรูปของพระองค์ แบกรับความชราแล้วเที่ยวไปในโลก และเมื่อพระองค์มอบราชสมบัติแก่เขา—พระองค์ได้ตรัสสิ่งใดแก่เขา? จงกล่าวความจริง ณ ที่นี้”

Word by Word

• śakraḥ: Indra

• uvāca: said

• yadā: when

• saḥ: he

• pūruḥ: Puru

• tava: your

• rūpeṇa: in (the) form

• rājan: O king

• jarām: old age

• gṛhītvā: having taken/accepted

• pracacāra: wandered/moved about

• loke: in the world

• tadā: then

• rājyam: the kingdom

• sampradāya: having duly handed over

• eva: indeed

• tasmai: to him

• tvayā: by you

• kim: what

• uktaḥ: said/spoken

• kathaya: tell

• iha: here

• satyam: the truth.

Speaker

• Śakra (Indra)

Entities Mentioned

• Śakra (Indra)
• Puru
• King (Yayāti implied)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Kingship
• Dharma
• Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on a royal lineage episode—Puru accepting old age and the formal transfer of kingship.

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

It highlights rājyasampradāna (orderly transfer of sovereignty) and truthfulness in recounting events—core royal duties tied to dharma: proper succession and honest testimony.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is narrative and ethical, centered on succession and the acceptance of old age.