Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — Procedure for Going to Prayaga and the Greatness of the Ganga

Devanagari script

ऐश्वर्यलोभमोहाद्वा गच्छेद्यानेन यो नरः निष्फलं तस्य तत्सर्वं तस्माद्यानं विवर्जयेत् //

Transliteration

aiśvaryalobhamohādvā gacchedyānena yo naraḥ niṣphalaṃ tasya tatsarvaṃ tasmādyānaṃ vivarjayet //

Translation

If a man travels by a conveyance driven by obsession with power, greed, or delusion, then all of that becomes fruitless for him; therefore one should abstain from such travel by conveyance.

Word by Word

• aiśvarya: lordship/power/prosperity

• lobha: greed

• moha: delusion/infatuation

• -ād vā: due to… or

• gacchet: should go/travel

• yānena: by a vehicle/conveyance

• yaḥ naraḥ: whichever man

• niṣphalam: without result/fruitless

• tasya: for him

• tat sarvam: all that (undertaking/merit/purpose)

• tasmāt: therefore

• yānam: the conveyance/ride/travel

• vivarjayet: should avoid/renounce

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu in a didactic discourse (ethical guidance).

Tags

• Dharma
• Niti
• Self-control
• Desire
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it teaches an ethical principle that actions motivated by greed, delusion, or craving for power become spiritually and practically fruitless.

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

It aligns with Rajadharma and household ethics: a ruler or householder should act from dharma (duty, clarity, restraint), not from pride of power, greed, or delusion—otherwise even costly enterprises (like travel, campaigns, or displays of status) yield no meaningful benefit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual procedure is stated; the takeaway is motivational purity—undertakings (including pilgrimages, processions, or public acts) should not be performed as mere status-display or greed-driven activity.