Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Agastya’s Origin

Devanagari script

यस्माज्जीवनिकायस्य महतः संक्षयो भवेत् तस्मान्न पापमद्यावां करवाव पुरंदर //

Transliteration

yasmājjīvanikāyasya mahataḥ saṃkṣayo bhavet tasmānna pāpamadyāvāṃ karavāva puraṃdara //

Translation

Since this would cause a great destruction of living beings, therefore, O Purandara, let us not commit this sin.

Word by Word

• yasmāt: since/because

• jīvanikāyasya (jīva-nikāyasya): of the multitude/collection of living beings

• mahataḥ: great/immense

• saṃkṣayaḥ: destruction/decay/ruin

• bhavet: would occur/might arise

• tasmāt: therefore

• na: not

• pāpam: sin/evil act

• adya: today/now

• āvām: we two (both of us)

• karavāva: let us do/let us undertake (dual, optative/benedictive sense)

• puraṃdara: O Purandara (epithet of Indra, “destroyer of forts”).

Speaker

• Uncertain (dialogue context suggests a moral counsel addressed to Indra ‘Purandara’)

Entities Mentioned

• Purandara (Indra)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ahimsa
• Sin-avoidance
• Ethics
• Jiva-raksha

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic Pralaya directly; it uses the idea of “great destruction of living beings” as an ethical reason to avoid an act that would cause widespread loss of life.

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

It frames dharma as preventing large-scale harm: a ruler or householder should avoid actions that lead to the ruin of many beings, choosing restraint and compassion over expedient but sinful outcomes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is specified; the takeaway is a general dharmic principle—avoid any undertaking that results in broad harm to living creatures.