Shloka 44

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

आत्मवत्सर्वभूतेषु यो हिताय शुभाय च वर्तते सततं हृष्टः क्रिया श्रेष्ठा दया स्मृता //

Transliteration

ātmavatsarvabhūteṣu yo hitāya śubhāya ca vartate satataṃ hṛṣṭaḥ kriyā śreṣṭhā dayā smṛtā //

Translation

One who regards all beings as oneself and continually acts for their welfare and good, ever remaining glad—such conduct is remembered as the highest deed: compassion (dayā).

Word by Word

• ātmavat: as oneself, with the sense of self-identification

• sarva-bhūteṣu: toward/in all living beings

• yaḥ: who

• hitāya: for welfare, benefit

• śubhāya: for auspicious good, well-being

• ca: and

• vartate: conducts oneself, behaves

• satatam: constantly, always

• hṛṣṭaḥ: delighted, cheerful, inwardly glad

• kriyā: action, practice, conduct

• śreṣṭhā: the श्रेष्ठ, best/highest

• dayā: compassion, mercy

• smṛtā: is remembered/declared (in tradition) to be.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu on dharma and virtues)

Tags

• Dharma
• Dayā
• Ahimsā
• Sadācāra
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it teaches an ethical principle—universal empathy and welfare-oriented conduct—as a core dharmic virtue.

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

It frames righteous duty as acting for the welfare and auspicious good of all beings with an “ātma-vat” outlook; for a king this supports benevolent governance and protection, and for a householder it supports non-harm, charity, and daily kindness as the highest practical virtue.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the takeaway is that compassion itself is treated as the श्रेष्ठ (highest) ‘kriyā’—a guiding principle that can inform all ritual and social actions.