Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — The Dialogue of Kacha and Devayani: Dharma

Devanagari script

आर्षं धर्मं ब्रुवाणो ऽहं देवयानि यथा त्वया शप्तुं नार्हो ऽस्मि कल्याणि कामतो ऽद्य च धर्मतः //

Transliteration

ārṣaṃ dharmaṃ bruvāṇo 'haṃ devayāni yathā tvayā śaptuṃ nārho 'smi kalyāṇi kāmato 'dya ca dharmataḥ //

Translation

O Devayānī, auspicious one, as I speak the dharma taught by the seers, I am not fit to curse you as you have cursed me—neither today out of personal desire nor even on grounds of righteousness.

Word by Word

• ārṣam: of the ṛṣis, seer-taught

• dharmam: dharma, righteous law

• bruvāṇaḥ: speaking, declaring

• aham: I

• devayāni: O Devayānī

• yathā: just as

• tvayā: by you

• śaptum: to curse

• na: not

• arhaḥ: fit, entitled

• asmi: am

• kalyāṇi: O auspicious lady

• kāmataḥ: from desire, from personal motive

• adya: today/now

• ca: and

• dharmataḥ: from dharma, as a matter of righteousness

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (as a dharma-speaking king/authority figure in the narrative)

Entities Mentioned

• Devayānī
• Ṛṣis (Ārṣa)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ethics
• Curse
• Self-restraint
• Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on ethical restraint—refusing to retaliate with a curse even when wronged.

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

It presents a key dharma principle: a leader or disciplined householder should not act from kāma (personal impulse) and should avoid retaliatory speech; righteousness includes self-control and measured response.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu/temple or ritual procedure is mentioned; the significance is moral-ritual in tone—maintaining purity of conduct by avoiding harmful speech like cursing.