Shloka 29

Matsya Purana — The Ravi-Śayana

Devanagari script

नैतद्विशीलाय न दाम्भिकाय कुतर्कदुष्टाय विनिन्दकाय प्रकाशनीयं व्रतमिन्दुमौलेर् यश्चापि निन्दामधिकां विधत्ते //

Transliteration

naitadviśīlāya na dāmbhikāya kutarkaduṣṭāya vinindakāya prakāśanīyaṃ vratamindumauler yaścāpi nindāmadhikāṃ vidhatte //

Translation

This vow of Indumauli (Śiva) is not to be disclosed to one of bad conduct, nor to a hypocrite, nor to one corrupted by perverse reasoning, nor to a fault-finder; nor should it be revealed to anyone who promotes excessive disparagement (of others or of the vow).

Word by Word

• na: not

• etat: this

• viśīlāya: to one of bad conduct/character

• na: not

• dāmbhikāya: to a pretender, hypocrite

• kutarka-duṣṭāya: to one tainted by sophistry/evil reasoning

• vinindakāya: to a censorious person, fault-finder

• prakāśanīyam: to be made public/revealed

• vratam: vow, religious observance

• indumauler: of Indumauli (Śiva, 'moon-crested')

• yaḥ ca api: and whoever also

• nindām: blame, disparagement

• adhikām: excessive, increased

• vidhatte: causes, promotes, brings about.

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya instructing Vaivasvata Manu (didactic narration on dharma and vows)

Entities Mentioned

• Indumauli
• Shiva

Tags

• Vrata
• Dharma
• Shiva
• Ethics
• Secrecy

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharma—specifically, restricting the transmission of a Śiva-vrata to unfit recipients.

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

It teaches discernment and responsibility in religious instruction: a king or householder should uphold vows with integrity and avoid empowering hypocrites, slanderers, or sophists who would misuse sacred practices.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is eligibility and confidentiality: the Śiva-vrata (vow) should be taught only to morally qualified practitioners, protecting the sanctity and proper performance of the observance.