Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayāga

Devanagari script

*मार्कण्डेय उवाच अश्रद्धेयं न वक्तव्यं प्रत्यक्षमपि यद्भवेत् नरस्याश्रद्दधानस्य पापोपहतचेतसः //

Transliteration

*mārkaṇḍeya uvāca aśraddheyaṃ na vaktavyaṃ pratyakṣamapi yadbhavet narasyāśraddadhānasya pāpopahatacetasaḥ //

Translation

Mārkaṇḍeya said: “One should not speak of a matter that will not be believed—even if it is directly evident—when addressing a man who lacks faith, whose mind has been struck and clouded by sin.”

Word by Word

• मार्कण्डेय उवाच: Mārkaṇḍeya said

• अश्रद्धेयम्: that which will not be believed / is uncredible to the listener

• न वक्तव्यम्: should not be spoken

• प्रत्यक्षम् अपि: even if directly perceived / plainly evident

• यद् भवेत्: whatever it may be

• नरस्य: of a man

• अश्रद्दधानस्य: of one who is faithless / who does not place trust

• पापोपहतचेतसः: whose consciousness/mind is afflicted, smitten, or impaired by sin

Speaker

• Markandeya

Entities Mentioned

• Markandeya

Tags

• Dharma
• Rajadharma
• Niti
• Speech Ethics
• Faith

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches nīti (ethical counsel): spiritual or factual truths should not be pressed upon a listener who is incapable of trust due to a sin-clouded mind.

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

It frames a practical rule of counsel: a king, minister, or householder should judge the recipient’s receptivity and integrity; advice—even true and evident—fails when given to the faithless, and can waste effort or provoke harm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu/ritual procedure is stated; indirectly, it implies that sacred instructions (including ritual and temple norms) should be taught only to qualified, receptive persons.