Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

न तेषु संकरः कश्चिद् वर्णाश्रमकृतः क्वचित् धर्मस्य चाव्यभीचाराद् एकान्तसुखिनः प्रजाः //

Transliteration

na teṣu saṃkaraḥ kaścid varṇāśramakṛtaḥ kvacit dharmasya cāvyabhīcārād ekāntasukhinaḥ prajāḥ //

Translation

Among them there was never any confusion of social and spiritual duties arising from varṇa and āśrama; and because dharma was never violated, the people lived in undisturbed, single-minded happiness.

Word by Word

nanot

teṣuamong them

saṃkaraḥmixing/confusion (of orders/duties)

kaścitany (at all)

varṇāśrama-kṛtaḥproduced by varṇa and āśrama (social and life-stage duties)

kvacitever/anywhere

dharmasyaof dharma/righteous order

caand

avyabhīcārātdue to non-deviation/steadfast observance (lit. from not straying)

ekānta-sukhinaḥwholly/undividedly happy, enjoying unalloyed well-being

prajāḥthe subjects/people.

Speaker

Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, describing ideal governance and social order)

Entities Mentioned

DharmaVarnaAshramaPraja (subjects)

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it describes stable societal order—when dharma is not transgressed, the populace remains secure and content, implying the opposite of the disorder associated with decline.

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

It reflects rajadharma: a king should uphold dharma so that varṇa-āśrama responsibilities function without conflict. For householders, it stresses steady, non-deviating practice of one’s prescribed duties as the basis of social harmony and personal well-being.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific vastu/temple rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is the principle of avyabhicāra—consistent, non-deviating observance of dharma—which underlies the efficacy and stability of all rites and institutions.