Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayāga

Devanagari script

मातरं पितरं चैव ये निन्दन्ति नराधमाः न तेषामूर्ध्वगमनम् इदमाह प्रजापतिः //

Transliteration

mātaraṃ pitaraṃ caiva ye nindanti narādhamāḥ na teṣāmūrdhvagamanam idamāha prajāpatiḥ //

Translation

Those vilest of men who revile their mother and father do not attain the upward path (the higher realms). Thus has Prajāpati declared.

Word by Word

• mātaram: mother

• pitaram: father

• ca eva: and indeed

• ye: who

• nindanti: revile, censure

• narādhamāḥ: the lowest of men

• na: not

• teṣām: for them/their

• ūrdhva-gamanam: ascent to higher states/realms

• idam: this

• āha: said/declared

• prajāpatiḥ: Prajāpati (Lord of creatures, progenitor authority)

Speaker

• Prajāpati (as cited authority within the narration; conveyed by the Matsya Purana’s narrator)

Entities Mentioned

• Prajāpati
• Mother (Mātā)
• Father (Pitā)

Tags

• Dharma
• Sadācāra
• Householder duties
• Ethics
• Karmic consequences

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it teaches moral causality—dishonor toward parents blocks “ūrdhvagati,” the higher post-death course, emphasizing ethical law rather than cosmology.

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

It reinforces foundational dharma: reverence to parents is a core householder duty, and a king is expected to uphold such social ethics through education, example, and just governance that protects family-based virtues.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is ethical eligibility—proper conduct toward parents is treated as a prerequisite for auspicious spiritual progress and merit-bearing rites.