Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types, Shloka 15

Devanagari script

परिवित्तिर्नियुक्तात्मा प्रमत्तोन्मत्तदारुणाः बैडाली बकवृत्तिश्च दम्भी देवलकादयः //

Transliteration

parivittirniyuktātmā pramattonmattadāruṇāḥ baiḍālī bakavṛttiśca dambhī devalakādayaḥ //

Translation

«الرجل الذي يتزوّج قبل أخيه الأكبر (parivitti)، ومن كانت نفسه مُسخَّرةً بالرشوة فيعمل تحت قهر غيره (niyuktātman)، والمهملون والمجانين والقساة؛ والمخادع على هيئة القط (baiḍālī)، والمنافق ذو سلوك الكُركيّ (bakavṛtti)، والمتصنّع المتباهِي (dambhī)، ومن يعتاش بخدمة المعبد لقاء أجر (devalaka) وأمثالهم—فهؤلاء يُذَمّون بوصفهم أنماطًا دنيئة في السلوك والمعاش.»

Word by Word

• परिवित्तिः (parivittiḥ): one who weds before the elder brother (violating seniority)

• नियुक्तात्मा (niyuktātmā): one whose mind is bound/appointed by another, a suborned or compelled person

• प्रमत्त (pramatta): negligent, heedless

• उन्मत्त (unmatta): deranged, mad

• दारुणाः (dāruṇāḥ): cruel, harsh

• बैडाली (baiḍālī): cat-like deceiver, stealthy hypocrite

• बकवृत्तिः (bakavṛttiḥ): crane-like conduct—outwardly pious, inwardly predatory

• दम्भी (dambhī): arrogant showman, religious hypocrite

• देवलक (devalaka): one who makes a living as a hired temple-priest/temple-servant (mercenary ritualist)

• आदयः (ādayaḥ): and others of similar kind

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on dharma and censurable conduct)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Devalaka

Tags

• Dharma
• Bad conduct
• Hypocrisy
• Social ethics
• Livelihoods

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is an ethical catalogue identifying censured characters and hypocritical modes of life that undermine dharma in society.

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

It guides householders and rulers to avoid and restrain deceitful, cruel, or mercenary religious behavior—especially hypocrisy (bakavṛtti/baiḍālī) and socially disruptive acts (parivitti)—so that social order and moral authority remain intact.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is a warning against devalaka-style mercenary temple service and showy religiosity; it emphasizes purity of intention in worship rather than ritual performed as a livelihood-driven display.