Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Saptamī Sacred Bath and the Mṛtavatsābhiṣeka Rite for Pacifying Misfortune an...

Devanagari script

बालानां मरणं यत्र क्षीरपाणां प्रदृश्यते तद्वद्वृद्धातुराणां च यौवने चापि वर्तताम् //

Transliteration

bālānāṃ maraṇaṃ yatra kṣīrapāṇāṃ pradṛśyate tadvadvṛddhāturāṇāṃ ca yauvane cāpi vartatām //

Translation

Where the death of children—still drinking milk—is seen, in the same way the death of the aged and the sick is also seen; and even those who are in youth may meet with it.

Word by Word

• बालानाम् (bālānām): of children

• मरणम् (maraṇam): death

• यत्र (yatra): where/when

• क्षीर-पाणाम् (kṣīra-pāṇām): of those who drink milk (infants)

• प्रदृश्यते (pradṛśyate): is observed/is seen

• तद्वत् (tadvat): likewise/in the same way

• वृद्ध-आतुराणाम् (vṛddha-āturāṇām): of the old and the afflicted/sick

• च (ca): and

• यौवने (yauvane): in youth/at youth

• च अपि (ca api): even also

• वर्तताम् (vartatām): of those who are living/abiding (i.e., among those in that state)

Speaker

• Suta (narratorial voice conveying the Purana’s teaching; framed within the Matsya Purana dialogue tradition)

Tags

• Mortality
• Dharma
• Detachment
• Human Condition
• Ethical Reflection

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic Pralaya directly; it highlights a “personal pralaya” theme—death can come at any age—urging awareness of impermanence.

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

By stressing life’s uncertainty, it supports dharmic urgency: a king should rule justly without delay, and a householder should practice charity, truthfulness, and ritual duties while time remains.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or iconographic rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is motivational—perform prescribed rites and meritorious acts promptly, since death is not confined to old age or sickness.