Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — Tārakāsura’s Austerity and Boon; Mobilization for War; Bṛhaspati’s Fourfold P...

Devanagari script

रक्षितुं नैव शक्नोति चपलश्चपलाः श्रियः तच्छ्रुत्वा दानवाः सर्वे वाक्यं तस्यासुरस्य तु //

Transliteration

rakṣituṃ naiva śaknoti capalaścapalāḥ śriyaḥ tacchrutvā dānavāḥ sarve vākyaṃ tasyāsurasya tu //

Translation

The restless man cannot truly safeguard the restless fortunes of Śrī (prosperity). Hearing the words of that Asura, all the Dānavas listened and took heed.

Word by Word

• rakṣitum: to protect, to preserve

• na eva: not at all/indeed not

• śaknoti: is able

• capalaḥ: fickle, unsteady (person/mind)

• capalāḥ: fickle, inconstant (plural

• śriyaḥ: of Śrī—prosperity, royal fortune, auspicious splendor

• tat-śrutvā: having heard that

• dānavāḥ: the Dānavas (Daitya clan)

• sarve: all

• vākyam: the statement, speech

• tasya: of that

• asurasya: of the Asura

• tu: indeed/and (emphatic particle).

Speaker

• An unnamed Asura (addressing the Dānavas)

Entities Mentioned

• Śrī (Lakṣmī/royal fortune)
• Dānavas
• Asura

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Nīti
• Fortune
• Asura counsel
• Impermanence

FAQs

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

It does not speak directly about Pralaya; it teaches a moral principle: prosperity (Śrī) is inherently unstable, and an unsteady person cannot preserve what is already fickle.

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

It implies that steadiness (self-control, consistent policy, disciplined conduct) is essential for preserving wealth and royal fortune; a capricious ruler/householder loses prosperity because both the mind and fortune become unstable.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is ethical: auspicious prosperity is maintained through stability and restraint—qualities also valued in ritual discipline and orderly governance.