Shloka 154

Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth

Devanagari script

तस्य कर्तुर्नियोगेन संसारो येन वर्धितः संसारस्य कुतो वृद्धिः सर्वे स्युर्यदतिग्रहाः //

Transliteration

tasya karturniyogena saṃsāro yena vardhitaḥ saṃsārasya kuto vṛddhiḥ sarve syuryadatigrahāḥ //

Translation

By the ordinance of that Doer (the supreme Agent), saṃsāra is said to “expand”. Yet how could saṃsāra truly grow? If it really increased, then all beings would end up in excess—overflowing beyond measure.

Word by Word

• tasya: of him/of that (supreme principle)

• kartuḥ: of the doer/agent

• niyogena: by command/ordinance

• saṃsāraḥ: worldly cycle/transmigration

• yena: by which/through whom

• vardhitaḥ: increased/expanded

• saṃsārasya: of saṃsāra

• kutaḥ: how/whence

• vṛddhiḥ: growth/increase

• sarve: all (beings)

• syuḥ: would become/would be

• yad: if

• atigrahāḥ: excessive/overabundant, beyond proper measure

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu; doctrinal exposition)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Saṃsāra
• Kartṛ (Supreme Agent)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Saṃsāra
• Causality
• Philosophy
• Pratisarga

FAQs

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

It implies that worldly ‘expansion’ is governed by divine ordinance and is not an unlimited, literal accumulation; the cycle operates within measure, consistent with periodic dissolution and re-manifestation rather than endless growth.

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

It cautions against imagining limitless acquisition or expansion; kings and householders should act with restraint and dharmic measure, recognizing that worldly increase is regulated and that excess (atigraha) leads to disorder.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; indirectly, it supports the Vāstu ideal of proportion and measure—avoiding ‘excess’—a principle echoed in Puranic temple planning and regulated rites.