Shloka 71

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

असिपत्त्रवने चैव पात्यमानाः स्वकर्मभिः तत्रस्थानां तु तेषां वै दुःखितानाम् अशायिनाम् //

Transliteration

asipattravane caiva pātyamānāḥ svakarmabhiḥ tatrasthānāṃ tu teṣāṃ vai duḥkhitānām aśāyinām //

Translation

And in the forest of sword-like leaves (Asipattravana) they are cast down by their own deeds; and for those who remain there—anguished and unable to lie down—there is indeed only suffering.

Word by Word

• असिपत्त्रवने: in Asipattravana, the forest of sword-like leaves

• चैव: and indeed

• पात्यमानाः: being made to fall / being cast down

• स्वकर्मभिः: by their own actions (karma)

• तत्रस्थानाम्: of those staying there / situated there

• तु: but

• तेषाम्: of them

• वै: indeed

• दुःखितानाम्: of the afflicted / sorrowing

• अशायिनाम्: of those who cannot lie down / cannot rest

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) conveying the Purana’s account (within the Matsya Purana’s discourse tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Asipattravana (a Naraka/hell realm)
• Karma (svakarma)

Tags

• Naraka
• Karma-phala
• Sin and retribution
• Afterlife ethics
• Matsya Purana teachings

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches karma-phala—how one’s own actions lead to post-death suffering in specific hell-realms like Asipattravana.

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

It underscores moral accountability: rulers and householders must uphold dharma and avoid harmful acts, since “svakarma” (one’s own deeds) becomes the direct cause of suffering after death.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu/temple-architecture rule is stated here; the focus is ethical and eschatological—warning through vivid Naraka imagery to reinforce right conduct and restraint.