Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — The Slaying of Jambha and the Rise of Tāraka: Divine Battle Formations

Devanagari script

दुर्जनैर्लब्धरन्ध्रस्य पुरुषस्य कुतः क्रियाः शक्तेनोपेक्षितो नीचो मन्यते बलमात्मनः //

Transliteration

durjanairlabdharandhrasya puruṣasya kutaḥ kriyāḥ śaktenopekṣito nīco manyate balamātmanaḥ //

Translation

When wicked men have found a man’s vulnerable point, how can he perform his proper duties? If a strong man merely overlooks him, the base fellow imagines that he himself possesses strength.

Word by Word

• दुर्जनैः: by wicked people

• लब्ध-रन्ध्रस्य: of one whose ‘gap/weak point’ has been found

• पुरुषस्य: of a man

• कुतः: whence/how

• क्रियाः: actions, proper undertakings

• शक्तेन: by a strong (person)

• उपेक्षितः: overlooked, left unchecked

• नीचः: a low/base person

• मन्यते: thinks, imagines

• बलम्: strength, power

• आत्मनः: his own

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu in nīti/rajadharma-style counsel (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana’s didactic dialogue)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Niti
• Dharma
• Conduct
• Kingship

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is ethical counsel (nīti), focusing on how the wicked exploit weakness and how unchecked wrongdoing escalates.

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

It warns rulers and householders that allowing wrongdoers to go unchecked can embolden them; strength must be paired with timely restraint or punishment so dharma and social order are protected.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the takeaway is governance ethics—do not let negligence create ‘openings’ (randhra) that invite harm.