Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga and Allied Tirthas

Devanagari script

इदं सत्यं विजानीयात् साधूनामात्मनश्च वै सुहृदश्च जपेत्कर्णे शिष्यस्यानुगतस्य च //

Transliteration

idaṃ satyaṃ vijānīyāt sādhūnāmātmanaśca vai suhṛdaśca japetkarṇe śiṣyasyānugatasya ca //

Translation

Know this to be true: for the welfare of the virtuous, for oneself, and for one’s well-wishing friend, one should whisper (this teaching) into the ear of a devoted disciple who follows the teacher’s guidance.

Word by Word

• idam: this

• satyam: truth / true

• vijānīyāt: one should know / understand

• sādhūnām: of the good / virtuous

• ātmanaḥ: of oneself

• ca: and

• vai: indeed

• suhṛdaḥ: of a friendly well-wisher

• ca: and

• japet: one should softly recite / whisper

• karṇe: in the ear

• śiṣyasya: of the disciple

• anugatasya: of one who follows (obedient, devoted)

• ca: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution typical to this discourse block)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu
• Shishya (disciple)
• Sadhu (virtuous person)

Tags

• Dharma
• Guru-Shishya
• Upadesha
• Mantra-Transmission
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it focuses on how sacred truth should be transmitted—privately and responsibly—to a qualified, devoted disciple.

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

It supports dharmic governance and household discipline by emphasizing prudent speech, safeguarding potent teachings, and sharing counsel only with trustworthy, obedient recipients—principles applicable to a king’s counsel and a householder’s ethical restraint.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-building rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is the method of transmission—japa/recitation given as karṇa-upadeśa (whispered instruction) to an anugata-śiṣya (obedient disciple).