Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

परिवित्तिर्नियुक्तात्मा प्रमत्तोन्मत्तदारुणाः बैडाली बकवृत्तिश्च दम्भी देवलकादयः //

Transliteration

parivittirniyuktātmā pramattonmattadāruṇāḥ baiḍālī bakavṛttiśca dambhī devalakādayaḥ //

Translation

A man who marries before his elder brother (parivitti), one whose mind is bought over and who acts under another’s compulsion (niyuktātman), those who are heedless, mad, and cruel; the cat-like deceiver (baiḍālī), the crane-like hypocrite (bakavṛtti), the ostentatious pretender (dambhī), and those who live by temple-service for hire (devalaka) and the like—these are censured as base modes of conduct and livelihood.

Word by Word

• परिवित्तिः (parivittiḥ): one who weds before the elder brother (violating seniority)

• नियुक्तात्मा (niyuktātmā): one whose mind is bound/appointed by another, a suborned or compelled person

• प्रमत्त (pramatta): negligent, heedless

• उन्मत्त (unmatta): deranged, mad

• दारुणाः (dāruṇāḥ): cruel, harsh

• बैडाली (baiḍālī): cat-like deceiver, stealthy hypocrite

• बकवृत्तिः (bakavṛttiḥ): crane-like conduct—outwardly pious, inwardly predatory

• दम्भी (dambhī): arrogant showman, religious hypocrite

• देवलक (devalaka): one who makes a living as a hired temple-priest/temple-servant (mercenary ritualist)

• आदयः (ādayaḥ): and others of similar kind

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on dharma and censurable conduct)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Devalaka

Tags

• Dharma
• Bad conduct
• Hypocrisy
• Social ethics
• Livelihoods

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is an ethical catalogue identifying censured characters and hypocritical modes of life that undermine dharma in society.

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

It guides householders and rulers to avoid and restrain deceitful, cruel, or mercenary religious behavior—especially hypocrisy (bakavṛtti/baiḍālī) and socially disruptive acts (parivitti)—so that social order and moral authority remain intact.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is a warning against devalaka-style mercenary temple service and showy religiosity; it emphasizes purity of intention in worship rather than ritual performed as a livelihood-driven display.