Shloka 45

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

आक्रुष्टो ऽभिहतो यस्तु नाक्रोशेत्प्रहरेदपि अदुष्टो वाङ्मनःकायैस् तितिक्षुः सा क्षमा स्मृता //

Transliteration

ākruṣṭo 'bhihato yastu nākrośetpraharedapi aduṣṭo vāṅmanaḥkāyais titikṣuḥ sā kṣamā smṛtā //

Translation

Even when abused and struck, one who neither abuses in return nor strikes back, remaining untainted in speech, mind, and body, and who endures—this is remembered as kṣamā (true forbearance).

Word by Word

• ākruṣṭaḥ: abused/insulted

• abhihataḥ: struck/assaulted

• yaḥ tu: whoever indeed

• na ākrośet: does not revile in return

• praharet api: nor would strike back even

• aduṣṭaḥ: not malicious/untainted

• vāk: speech

• manaḥ: mind

• kāyaiḥ (kāya): body

• titikṣuḥ: patient/enduring

• sā: that

• kṣamā: forbearance/forgiveness

• smṛtā: is declared/remembered (in tradition)

Speaker

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

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Dharma
• Kshama
• Ethics
• Self-control
• Non-retaliation

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it defines kṣamā (forbearance) as a personal dharmic discipline—enduring insult and injury without retaliating in word or deed.

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

It sets a high standard of restraint: a king should avoid retaliatory cruelty and a householder should avoid reactive anger—maintaining purity of speech, mind, and body even under provocation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu/temple-building or ritual procedure is stated here; the takeaway is ethical—inner discipline (control of vāk–manas–kāya) that underpins all righteous conduct.