Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Pṛthu

Devanagari script

लोके ऽप्यधर्मकृज्जातः परभार्यापहारकः धर्माचारस्य सिद्ध्यर्थं जगतो ऽथ महर्षिभिः //

Transliteration

loke 'pyadharmakṛjjātaḥ parabhāryāpahārakaḥ dharmācārasya siddhyarthaṃ jagato 'tha maharṣibhiḥ //

Translation

Even in the world there arises one who commits unrighteousness—one who abducts another man’s wife; therefore, for the effective establishment of right conduct (dharma-ācāra) in the world, the great sages (maharṣis) set it forth.

Word by Word

• loke: in the world

• api: even/also

• adharma-kṛt: doer of unrighteousness

• jātaḥ: is born/arises

• para-bhāryā: another man’s wife

• apahārakaḥ: abducter/one who carries off

• dharma-ācārasya: of righteous conduct

• siddhi-artham: for the accomplishment/establishment

• jagataḥ: of the world/for the world

• atha: then/therefore

• maharṣibhiḥ: by the great sages

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Purāṇic account; the verse states the sages’ motive rather than direct dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Maharṣis

Tags

• Dharma
• Ācāra
• Ethics
• Social order
• Adharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on why sages articulate dharma-ācāra—because adharma (such as abducting another’s wife) arises in society.

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

It implies that rulers and householders must uphold and enforce dharma-ācāra—protecting marriage, restraining sexual misconduct, and preventing social harm caused by crimes like parabhāryāpahāra.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu/temple-architecture or ritual procedure is mentioned; the takeaway is ethical: dharma-ācāra is promulgated to curb adharma and stabilize society.