Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

तस्मादेवं वर्जनीयं नरेन्द्र दुष्टं लोके गर्हणीयं च कर्म आख्यातं ते पार्थिव सर्वमेतद् भूयश्चेदानीं वद किं ते वदामि //

Transliteration

tasmādevaṃ varjanīyaṃ narendra duṣṭaṃ loke garhaṇīyaṃ ca karma ākhyātaṃ te pārthiva sarvametad bhūyaścedānīṃ vada kiṃ te vadāmi //

Translation

Therefore, O king, such wicked conduct—censured by the world—must be avoided. O ruler of men, I have explained all this to you; if you wish to hear more now, speak—what shall I tell you further?

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore

• evaṃ: thus/in this manner

• varjanīyam: to be avoided

• narendra: O lord of men/king

• duṣṭam: wicked/evil

• loke: in the world/among people

• garhaṇīyam: blameworthy/censurable

• ca: and

• karma: action/deed

• ākhyātam: declared/explained

• te: to you

• pārthiva: O earthly ruler/king

• sarvam etad: all this

• bhūyaḥ: further/more

• cet: if

• adānīm: now

• vada: speak/tell

• kim: what

• te: to you/for you

• vadāmi: shall I say/tell.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing a king (narendra/pārthiva), within Rajadharma instruction

Tags

• Rajadharma
• King's Duties
• Ethics
• Right Conduct
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on moral instruction—urging the king to avoid actions regarded as wicked and socially censured.

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

It frames rajadharma as restraint: a ruler should avoid deeds that are inherently evil and publicly blameworthy, and should remain receptive to continued counsel on righteous governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the takeaway is ethical—avoid condemned conduct and seek further instruction in dharma.