Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Agastya’s Origin

Devanagari script

न धर्माधर्मसंयोगं प्राप्नुवन्त्यमराः क्वचित् भवतोस्तु विशेषेण माहात्म्यं चाधितिष्ठतोः //

Transliteration

na dharmādharmasaṃyogaṃ prāpnuvantyamarāḥ kvacit bhavatostu viśeṣeṇa māhātmyaṃ cādhitiṣṭhatoḥ //

Translation

The immortals never, at any time, come into contact with a mixture of dharma and adharma. But you two—most especially—stand established in true greatness and sacred eminence (māhātmya).

Word by Word

• na: not

• dharma-adharma-saṃyogam: conjunction/mixture of righteousness and unrighteousness

• prāpnuvanti: attain/come to

• amarāḥ: the immortals (devas)

• kvacit: ever/at any time

• bhavatoḥ: of you two

• tu: but/however

• viśeṣeṇa: especially, in particular

• māhātmyam: greatness, sacred glory, exalted merit

• ca: and

• adhi-tiṣṭhatoḥ: (you two) abide in/are established in, preside over

Speaker

• Likely the narrator/teacher voice within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame (commonly Lord Matsya instructing Vaivasvata Manu), praising two addressed persons; exact addressees are context-dependent within Adhyaya 61.

Entities Mentioned

• Amarāḥ (Devas)
• Dharma
• Adharma
• Māhātmya

Tags

• Dharma
• Ethics
• Mahatmya
• Devas
• Purana teachings

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it emphasizes moral-metaphysical purity—devas are not said to be entangled in mixed dharma and adharma, highlighting a realm of order rather than dissolution.

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

It implies that exemplary persons should avoid compromising mixtures of right and wrong; for kings and householders, it supports the Matsya Purana’s ethical ideal of acting with clear dharmic intent rather than blending virtue with self-serving adharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple-ritual rule is stated; indirectly, it supports the ritual principle of purity (śuddhi)—that sacred acts and statuses should not be performed with morally mixed motivations.