Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — Skanda’s Consecration

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वैतद्दूतवचनं कोपसंरक्तलोचनः उवाच दूतं दुष्टात्मा नष्टप्रायविभूतिकः //

Transliteration

śrutvaitaddūtavacanaṃ kopasaṃraktalocanaḥ uvāca dūtaṃ duṣṭātmā naṣṭaprāyavibhūtikaḥ //

Translation

Hearing these words of the envoy, his eyes reddened with anger; that wicked-souled man—whose power and prosperity were almost ruined—spoke to the messenger.

Word by Word

• श्रुत्वा (śrutvā): having heard

• एतत् (etat): this

• दूतवचनम् (dūta-vacanam): the words/message of the envoy

• कोप (kopa): anger

• संरक्त (saṃrakta): reddened, inflamed

• लोचनः (locanaḥ): eyes (one whose eyes are…)

• उवाच (uvāca): said, spoke

• दूतम् (dūtam): to the envoy/messenger

• दुष्टात्मा (duṣṭātmā): wicked-minded, evil-souled

• नष्टप्राय (naṣṭa-prāya): almost destroyed, nearly lost

• विभूतिकः (vibhūtikaḥ): one possessing power/fortune/prosperity (here: whose vibhūti is failing).

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the antagonist’s reaction; specific identity not explicit in this single verse)

Entities Mentioned

• Dūta (Envoy/Messenger)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Conflict
• Messenger
• Anger
• Decline of fortune

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it depicts a political-ethical moment: an enraged ruler/antagonist reacts to an envoy’s message, emphasizing moral decline rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It warns against krodha (anger) and rash speech—especially toward a dūta, who is traditionally protected. In Rajadharma, self-control and respectful handling of diplomatic communication are essential to preserving vibhūti (royal prosperity).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu Shastra, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is narrative psychology and governance ethics (anger, diplomacy, and declining fortune).