Shloka 28

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

तत्रेष्टप्रापको धर्म आचार्यैरुपदिश्यते अधर्मश्चानिष्टफल आचार्यैर्नोपदिश्यते //

Transliteration

tatreṣṭaprāpako dharma ācāryairupadiśyate adharmaścāniṣṭaphala ācāryairnopadiśyate //

Translation

In this matter, dharma—which leads to the attainment of what is desired—is taught by the teachers (ācārya). But adharma, which yields undesirable results, is not taught by the teachers.

Word by Word

• tatra: in that matter/therein

• iṣṭa: desired, beneficial

• prāpakaḥ: causing attainment, leading to

• dharmaḥ: righteous duty, moral law

• ācāryaiḥ: by the teachers, preceptors

• upadiśyate: is instructed, is taught

• adharmaḥ: unrighteousness, contrary-to-dharma conduct

• ca: and

• aniṣṭa: undesired, harmful

• phala: result, fruit

• ācāryaiḥ: by the teachers

• na upadiśyate (nopadiśyate): is not taught

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu in dharma and right conduct)

Entities Mentioned

• Ācārya
• Dharma
• Adharma

Tags

• Dharma
• Sadachara
• Ethics
• Guru-Shishya
• Rajadharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on ethical instruction—dharma is taught because it yields beneficial outcomes, while adharma is rejected due to harmful results.

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

It frames governance and household life around learnable, teacher-endorsed conduct: rulers and householders should follow dharma as transmitted by ācāryas, avoiding adharma because it produces socially and spiritually damaging consequences.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-ritual rule appears here; indirectly, it establishes that any ritual or building practice should be grounded in ācārya-taught dharma rather than result-producing but unrighteous expedients.