Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Pṛthu

Devanagari script

शरीरे मातुरंशेन कृष्णाञ्जनसमप्रभाः पितुरंशस्य चांशेन धार्मिको धर्मचारिणः //

Transliteration

śarīre māturaṃśena kṛṣṇāñjanasamaprabhāḥ pituraṃśasya cāṃśena dhārmiko dharmacāriṇaḥ //

Translation

In bodily appearance, by the mother’s portion they shine like dark añjana (collyrium); and by the father’s portion they become righteous, conducting themselves as followers of dharma.

Word by Word

• śarīre: in the body/physical form

• mātur-aṃśena: by the mother’s portion/heritage

• kṛṣṇa-añjana-sama-prabhāḥ: having a radiance like black collyrium (deep-dark lustre)

• pitur-aṃśasya: of the father’s portion

• ca aṃśena: and by (that) share

• dhārmikaḥ: righteous/virtuous

• dharma-cāriṇaḥ: those who practice dharma, whose conduct follows dharma

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya–Manu dialogue context)

Entities Mentioned

• Mother (mātṛ)
• Father (pitṛ)
• Dharma

Tags

• Dharma
• Ethics
• Inheritance
• Conduct
• Puranic Anthropology

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it focuses on embodied traits and ethical disposition, explaining how physical appearance and dharmic conduct are attributed to maternal and paternal “shares.”

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

It frames dharma as a lived practice (dharma-cāriṇaḥ). For kings and householders, the emphasis is that righteousness is expressed through conduct—discipline, justice, and adherence to prescribed duties—rather than merely birth or appearance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its takeaway is ethical: dharma is to be practiced as conduct, which can inform ritual life by prioritizing right intention and righteous behavior.