Shloka 63

Matsya Purana — Inquiry into Yayāti’s Story and the Kacha–Devayānī Episode

Devanagari script

मया चेमां विप्रधर्मोक्तसीमां मर्यादां वै स्थापितां सर्वलोके सन्तो विप्राः शुश्रुवांसो गुरूणां देवा दैत्याश्चोपशृण्वन्तु सर्वे //

Transliteration

mayā cemāṃ vipradharmoktasīmāṃ maryādāṃ vai sthāpitāṃ sarvaloke santo viprāḥ śuśruvāṃso gurūṇāṃ devā daityāścopaśṛṇvantu sarve //

Translation

And I have indeed established throughout all the worlds this boundary and rule of conduct, as enjoined by the dharma of the brāhmaṇas. Let the virtuous brāhmaṇas—obedient hearers of their teachers—remain so; and let all, gods and Daityas alike, listen and heed it.

Word by Word

• mayā: by me

• ca: and

• imām: this

• vipra-dharma-ukta: prescribed/declared by Brāhmaṇa-dharma

• sīmām: boundary, limit

• maryādām: rule, established norm, proper restraint

• vai: indeed

• sthāpitām: established, set in place

• sarva-loke: in all the worlds

• santaḥ: the good/virtuous

• viprāḥ: Brahmins, learned ones

• śuśruvāṃsaḥ: those who have listened well/are attentive hearers (obedient disciples)

• gurūṇām: of the teachers/gurus

• devāḥ: gods

• daityāḥ: Daityas/demons

• ca: and

• upāśṛṇvantu: let them listen closely/attend

• sarve: all.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual likely attribution within Matsya Purana’s dharma discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipra (Brahmin)
• Gurus (Teachers)
• Devas
• Daityas

Tags

• Dharma
• Brāhmaṇa-dharma
• Maryādā
• Guru-śiṣya
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it emphasizes the establishment of dharmic boundaries (maryādā) that remain authoritative across all worlds, implying cosmic universality of moral order rather than a flood or dissolution event.

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

By declaring a universally binding maryādā rooted in vipra-dharma, the verse implies that rulers and householders should uphold Brahminical ethical norms, protect the guru-centered transmission of knowledge, and ensure that even powerful groups (symbolized by devas and daityas) submit to dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vastu or temple-building rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is the primacy of dharma as an established norm to be heard and followed—especially through proper guru-śiṣya listening and adherence.