Matsya Purana — Śiva–Pārvatī Quarrel and Pārvatī’s Resolve for Austerity to Attain Gaurī-hood, Shloka 4

Devanagari script

*देव्युवाच स्वकृतेन जनः सर्वो जाड्येन परिभूयते अवश्यमर्थी प्राप्नोति खण्डनां जनमण्डले //

Transliteration

*devyuvāca svakṛtena janaḥ sarvo jāḍyena paribhūyate avaśyamarthī prāpnoti khaṇḍanāṃ janamaṇḍale //

Translation

The Goddess said: Every person is brought low by his own doing through dull-wittedness; and one who is inevitably driven by need comes to suffer humiliation and being “cut down” in the circle of people, that is, in society.

Word by Word

• devyuvāca: the Goddess said

• svakṛtena: by one’s own deed/doing

• janaḥ sarvaḥ: every person

• jāḍyena: by stupidity/dullness/ignorance

• paribhūyate: is overpowered, belittled, humiliated

• avaśyam: inevitably, unavoidably

• arthī: one who seeks wealth/one compelled by need

• prāpnoti: attains, meets with

• khaṇḍanām: breaking, cutting down, humiliation/defeat (lit. fragmentation)

• janamaṇḍale: in the circle of people, in society/public assembly

Speaker

• Devi (the Goddess)

Entities Mentioned

• Devi

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Niti
• Karma
• Human conduct
• Social ethics

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a nīti teaching that stresses self-caused suffering through ignorance and the social consequences of need-driven behavior.

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

It advises cultivating discernment and self-control: a householder should avoid imprudent actions that lead to dependency, and a king should govern with foresight so that personal folly or financial desperation does not result in public loss of honor and authority.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual rule is stated here; the takeaway is ethical—avoid ignorance and desperate want, which lead to public diminishment.