Shloka 50

Matsya Purana — Inquiry into Taraka’s Slaying and the Prelude to Guha

Devanagari script

अपमानो वधः प्रोक्तः पुत्र संभावितस्य च अस्मद्वाक्येन यो मुक्तो विद्धि तं मृतमेव च //

Transliteration

apamāno vadhaḥ proktaḥ putra saṃbhāvitasya ca asmadvākyena yo mukto viddhi taṃ mṛtameva ca //

Translation

For one who has been acknowledged as a son, dishonor is declared to be the same as death. And whoever is set free only by our word—know him too to be as good as dead.

Word by Word

• अपमानः: dishonor, humiliation

• वधः: killing, death

• प्रोक्तः: declared, stated

• पुत्र: son

• संभावितस्य: of one who is recognized/treated as worthy (here, accepted as a son)

• च: and

• अस्मद्वाक्येन: by our word/command

• यः: whoever

• मुक्तः: released, set free

• विद्धि: know (imperative)

• तम्: him

• मृतम्: dead

• एव: indeed, as good as

• च: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana’s didactic dialogue style)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Dharma
• Honor
• Punishment
• Royal Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on social and political dharma—how honor, status, and royal judgment function as life-and-death realities in society.

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

It frames dishonor as a punishment equivalent to death for one accepted as a son (i.e., within a protected lineage/status). It also warns that a release granted merely by royal command may still carry the weight of condemnation—highlighting the king’s responsibility to punish, pardon, and protect reputation with discernment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is mentioned here; the takeaway is ethical: reputation and formal recognition (such as acceptance as a son) have binding dharmic consequences akin to legal status.