Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Lineage of Yayāti through Yadu and the Deeds of Kārtavīrya Arjuna

Devanagari script

पूर्वं बाहुसहस्रं तु स वव्रे राजसत्तमः अधर्मं चरमाणस्य सद्भिश्चापि निवारणम् //

Transliteration

pūrvaṃ bāhusahasraṃ tu sa vavre rājasattamaḥ adharmaṃ caramāṇasya sadbhiścāpi nivāraṇam //

Translation

Formerly, that best of kings undertook this vow: that one who acts in unrighteousness (adharma) should be restrained—even by the good and virtuous.

Word by Word

• पूर्वम् (pūrvam): formerly, earlier

• बाहुसहस्रम् (bāhu-sahasram): ‘a thousand arms’ (i.e., great might/power)

• तु (tu): indeed, moreover

• सः (saḥ): he

• वव्रे (vavre): chose, undertook (as a vow/resolve)

• राजसत्तमः (rājasattamaḥ): the best among kings

• अधर्मम् (adharmam): unrighteousness, injustice

• चरमाणस्य (caramāṇasya): of one who is practicing/engaged in

• सद्भिः (sadbhiḥ): by the good/virtuous people

• च (ca): and

• अपि (api): even, also

• निवारणम् (nivāraṇam): restraint, prevention, checking.

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on rajadharma (chapter dialogue context).

Entities Mentioned

• Rājasattama (ideal king)
• Sadbhiḥ (the virtuous/good people)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Dharma
• Kingship
• Social Order
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a rajadharma teaching emphasizing that adharma must be actively checked to preserve social order.

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

It frames a core duty of kingship: preventing wrongdoing. It also implies a civic ethic—virtuous people should not be passive when adharma is being practiced, but should help restrain it within dharmic limits.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu/temple-building or ritual procedure is mentioned here; the focus is ethical governance and the suppression of adharma.