Shloka 70

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

Devanagari script

भवादिति व्यवस्यन्ति क्रूराः साम महात्मनाम् ऋजुतामार्यबुद्धित्वं दयानीतिव्यतिक्रमम् //

Transliteration

bhavāditi vyavasyanti krūrāḥ sāma mahātmanām ṛjutāmāryabuddhitvaṃ dayānītivyatikramam //

Translation

The cruel decide that the gentle, conciliatory approach (sāma) of great-souled men is mere timid softness; they take straightforwardness, noble discernment (ārya-buddhi), and compassionate policy to be a transgression of proper statecraft.

Word by Word

• krūrāḥ: the cruel, ruthless people

• vyavasyanti: decide, conclude

• bhavā iti: as mere ‘softness’/fearfulness (taking it so)

• sāma: conciliation, gentle diplomacy

• mahātmanām: of the great-souled/noble persons

• ṛjutām: straightforwardness, integrity

• ārya-buddhitvam: noble-minded intelligence, honorable judgment

• dayā: compassion, mercy

• nīti: policy, ethical governance, right conduct

• vyatikramam: violation, overstepping, transgression

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a Rajadharma/Nīti teaching context)

Entities Mentioned

• Mahātman (noble persons)
• Krūra (the cruel/wicked)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Niti
• Dharma
• Ethics
• Governance

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a nīti (ethical-political) observation describing how ruthless people misread the virtues of the noble—especially conciliation and compassion—as weakness.

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

It warns rulers (and leaders generally) not to abandon integrity, noble judgment, and compassionate policy merely because the cruel label these virtues as weakness; true nīti includes sāma (conciliation) guided by dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu/ritual rule is stated here; the teaching is ethical and political—about diplomacy (sāma), compassion (dayā), and the misinterpretations of the wicked.