Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Solar Dynasty Prelude: Vivasvān–Saṃjñā–Chāyā

Devanagari script

बालभावान्मया किंचिद् उद्यतश् चरणः सकृत् मनुना वार्यमाणापि मम शापम् अदाद् विभो //

Transliteration

bālabhāvānmayā kiṃcid udyataś caraṇaḥ sakṛt manunā vāryamāṇāpi mama śāpam adād vibho //

Translation

O Lord, out of childishness I once impulsively lifted my foot a little; though Manu tried to restrain me, I still uttered a curse—O Mighty One.

Word by Word

• बालभावात् (bālabhāvāt): out of childishness/immaturity

• मया (mayā): by me

• किंचित् (kiṃcit): a little/somewhat

• उद्यतः (udyataḥ): raised/lifted up

• चरणः (caraṇaḥ): foot

• सकृत् (sakṛt): once

• मनुना (manunā): by Manu

• वार्यमाणा अपि (vāryamāṇā api): even though being restrained/forbidden

• मम (mama): my

• शापम् (śāpam): curse

• अदात् (adāt): gave/uttered/bestowed

• विभो (vibho): O Lord, O Powerful One

Speaker

• A narrator/participant addressing Lord Matsya (Vishnu) within the Matsya–Manu narrative context; the verse itself directly addresses 'vibho' (O Mighty Lord).

Entities Mentioned

• Manu
• Lord Matsya (implied by address 'vibho' in the Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Matsya-Avatara
• Manu
• Speech-Ethics
• Self-Restraint

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it frames the Pralaya-era Matsya–Manu narrative as governed by moral causality: even small impulsive acts and harsh speech (a curse) have consequences within the cosmic order upheld during dissolution and renewal.

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

It highlights restraint (nigraha) and measured speech as dharmic duties: even when corrected by an elder/authority (Manu), one should control impulse and avoid harmful words that can disrupt social and ethical order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu Shastra or ritual procedure is stated here; the takeaway is ethical—self-control and avoiding rash pronouncements—principles that also underlie disciplined ritual conduct in the Matsya Purana.