Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — The Kalyāṇa-Saptamī

Devanagari script

एकामपि प्रदद्याद्वा वित्तहीनो विमत्सरः न वित्तशाठ्यं कुर्वीत यतो मोहात्पतत्यधः //

Transliteration

ekāmapi pradadyādvā vittahīno vimatsaraḥ na vittaśāṭhyaṃ kurvīta yato mohātpatatyadhaḥ //

Translation

Even if he has little wealth, let him give at least something, free from envy. He should not practice deceit regarding money, for through such delusion one falls downward.

Word by Word

• ekām api: even one (coin/portion), even a single (gift)

• pradadyāt vā: should give, or let him give

• vittahīnaḥ: lacking wealth, poor

• vimatsaraḥ: free from jealousy/envy

• na: not

• vitta-śāṭhyam: deception/cheating in matters of wealth

• kurvīta: should do/practice

• yataḥ: because/for

• mohāt: from delusion, from moral confusion

• patati: falls

• adhaḥ: downward, into a lower state (moral/spiritual decline)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating Matsya Purāṇa’s dharma teaching in the discourse tradition)

Tags

• Dharma
• Dāna
• Ethics
• Non-deception
• Householder duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it teaches personal dharma—giving according to capacity and avoiding deceit, which prevents spiritual decline.

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

It frames a core duty of both rulers and householders: practice generosity even in limited means, remain free of envy, and uphold financial integrity—since dishonesty in wealth leads to moral downfall.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is ethical: charity (dāna) should be sincere and non-deceptive, forming the moral basis for any religious act.