Matsya Purana — Tārakāsura’s Austerity and Boon; Mobilization for War; Bṛhaspati’s Fourfold P..., Shloka 66

Devanagari script

साम भेदस्तथा दानं दण्डश्चाङ्गचतुष्टयम् नीतौ क्रमाद्देशकालरिपुयोग्यक्रमादिदम् //

Transliteration

sāma bhedastathā dānaṃ daṇḍaścāṅgacatuṣṭayam nītau kramāddeśakālaripuyogyakramādidam //

Translation

Beschwichtigung (sāma), Spaltung (bheda), Gaben (dāna) und Strafe (daṇḍa) sind die vier Glieder staatlicher Strategie. In der Regierung sind sie der rechten Reihenfolge gemäß anzuwenden—nach Ort, Zeit und der Angemessenheit gegenüber dem jeweiligen Feind.

Word by Word

• साम (sāma): conciliation, persuasion

• भेदः (bhedaḥ): division, sowing dissension

• तथा (tathā): and likewise

• दानम् (dānam): gift, grant, inducement

• दण्डः (daṇḍaḥ): punishment, coercive force

• च (ca): and

• अङ्गचतुष्टयम् (aṅga-catuṣṭayam): the set of four limbs/measures

• नीतौ (nītau): in policy, in governance/statecraft

• क्रमात् (kramāt): in order, sequentially

• देश (deśa): place, region

• काल (kāla): time, circumstance

• रिपु (ripu): enemy, adversary

• योग्य (yogya): suitable, appropriate

• क्रमात् (kramāt): by proper sequence/application

• इदम् (idam): this (teaching/principle).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu on rajadharma/nīti)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Nīti
• Daṇḍa

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Niti
• Statecraft
• Upayas
• Kingship

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it belongs to the Matsya Purana’s rajadharma/nīti material, outlining practical tools of governance rather than cosmology.

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

For a king, it prescribes the classic four measures—persuasion, inducement, strategic division, and punishment—used in a graduated and situational way. For householders, it implies an ethical escalation: try peaceful persuasion first, then softer incentives, and reserve harsh measures for when circumstances truly require them.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned here; the verse is focused on political strategy and appropriate sequencing of actions in governance.