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

شونک نے کہا—تب نہوش کے بیٹے راجا یَیاتی، اُشنس (شُکر) کے غضب میں دیے ہوئے شاپ کے سبب، اپنی سابقہ جوانی چھوڑ کر فوراً بڑھاپے میں مبتلا ہو گیا۔

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.