Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Śukra Warns Vṛṣaparvan: The Ripening of Adharma and Devayānī’s Demand for Śar...

Devanagari script

अपापशीलं धर्मज्ञं शुश्रूषुं मद्गृहे रतम् वधादनर्हतस्तस्य वधाच्च दुहितुर्मम //

Transliteration

apāpaśīlaṃ dharmajñaṃ śuśrūṣuṃ madgṛhe ratam vadhādanarhatastasya vadhācca duhiturmama //

Translation

He is of blameless conduct, a knower of dharma, devoted to service, and attached to my household. He does not deserve to be slain; and by slaying him, my daughter too would be (as good as) slain.

Word by Word

• apāpa-śīlam: of sinless/blameless character

• dharma-jñam: one who knows dharma (righteous law)

• śuśrūṣum: devoted to service/obedient attendance

• mad-gṛhe: in my house/household

• ratam: attached, devoted, engaged

• vadhāt: from killing/by the act of killing

• anarhataḥ: of one undeserving (of death)

• tasya: of him

• vadhāt: by killing

• ca: and

• duhituḥ: of (my) daughter

• mama: my

Speaker

• A householder/father figure in the narrative (addressing an authority/decision-maker about an intended killing)

Tags

• Dharma
• Rajadharma
• Householder Duties
• Ahimsa
• Justice

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on dharma—specifically the injustice and moral consequence of killing an innocent, dharma-knowing person.

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

It frames a core Rajadharma principle: punishment must be proportionate and never directed at the undeserving. For householders, it emphasizes protecting those who serve faithfully and live righteously under one’s care.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the verse is ethical-legal in tone, stressing non-violence and just discernment rather than architectural rules.