Shloka 26
Matsya Purana — Dialogue of Aṣṭaka and Yayāti: Exhaustion of Merit
न मान्यमानो मुदमाददीत न संतापं प्राप्नुयाच्चावमानात् सन्तः सतः पूजयन्तीह लोके नासाधवः साधुबुद्धिं लभन्ते //
na mānyamāno mudamādadīta na saṃtāpaṃ prāpnuyāccāvamānāt santaḥ sataḥ pūjayantīha loke nāsādhavaḥ sādhubuddhiṃ labhante //
When not honored, one should not seize upon joy; and when insulted, one should not fall into anguish. In this world, the noble honor the truly good—yet the unvirtuous do not attain the understanding of the virtuous.
FAQs
This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it teaches inner steadiness—avoiding elation from praise and despair from insult—which is presented as a core dharmic virtue.
It advises emotional discipline in public life: a king (or householder) should not become proud when honored nor lose composure when slighted, and should consciously honor the truly virtuous rather than flatter the unworthy.
No Vastu Shastra or ritual procedure is mentioned directly; the relevance is indirect—temple building, patronage, and ritual leadership require the same equanimity and discernment in honoring genuine merit.