Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Dialogue of Aṣṭaka and Yayāti: Exhaustion of Merit

Devanagari script

अधीयानः पण्डितं मन्यमानो यो विद्यया हन्ति यशः परस्य तस्यान्तवन्तः पुरुषस्य लोका न चास्य तद्ब्रह्मफलं ददाति //

Transliteration

adhīyānaḥ paṇḍitaṃ manyamāno yo vidyayā hanti yaśaḥ parasya tasyāntavantaḥ puruṣasya lokā na cāsya tadbrahmaphalaṃ dadāti //

Translation

Even if one is learned and considers oneself a scholar, if one uses one’s knowledge to destroy another person’s good name, the worlds attained by that person become perishable, and that learning does not grant the true fruit of sacred wisdom (brahma-phala).

Word by Word

• adhīyānaḥ: one who studies/recites

• paṇḍitam: a learned person

• manyamānaḥ: thinking/considering (oneself)

• yaḥ: who

• vidyayā: by knowledge/learning

• hanti: strikes down/destroys

• yaśaḥ: fame, reputation, good name

• parasya: of another

• tasya: of that (person)

• antavantaḥ: having an end, impermanent

• puruṣasya: of the man/person

• lokāḥ: worlds/realms attained (as fruits of action)

• na ca: and not

• asya: for him/of him

• tat: that

• brahma-phalam: the fruit of brahman—true spiritual reward of sacred learning

• dadāti: gives/grants.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Brahman (as brahma-phala)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ethics of learning
• Speech
• Humility
• Punya-kshaya

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it teaches that moral misuse of learning destroys lasting spiritual merit, making one’s attained “worlds” impermanent—an ethical principle that applies across cosmic cycles.

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

It warns rulers and householders not to weaponize education, counsel, or policy to ruin others’ reputation; governance and social life must protect honor through truthful, compassionate speech, otherwise merit and lasting prosperity decline.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vastu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is that any ritual learning (mantra, śāstra, temple knowledge) loses its highest fruit if used for malice such as defamation.