Shloka 158

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

Devanagari script

वाक्यमेतत्फलभ्रष्टं पुंसि ग्लानिकरं परम् कन्या हि कृपणा शोच्या पितुर्दुःखविवर्धिनी //

Transliteration

vākyametatphalabhraṣṭaṃ puṃsi glānikaraṃ param kanyā hi kṛpaṇā śocyā piturduḥkhavivardhinī //

Translation

Such a statement is devoid of wholesome fruit and brings profound dejection to a man; for a daughter, being helpless, is to be pitied, and she increases her father’s sorrow.

Word by Word

• वाक्यम् (vākyam): statement/speech

• एतत् (etat): this

• फलभ्रष्टम् (phalabhraṣṭam): devoid of beneficial outcome/fruitless

• पुंसि (puṃsi): for a man/in a man

• ग्लानिकरम् (glānikaram): causing dejection/fatigue

• परम् (param): exceedingly/supremely

• कन्या (kanyā): daughter/maiden

• हि (hi): indeed

• कृपणा (kṛpaṇā): helpless/poor/wretched (in plight)

• शोच्या (śocyā): deserving pity/to be lamented

• पितुः (pituḥ): of the father

• दुःखविवर्धिनी (duḥkhavivardhinī): increasing sorrow/grief.

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu in a didactic dialogue on social/householder norms

Entities Mentioned

• Kanyā (daughter)
• Pitu (father)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Grihastha-dharma
• Social ethics
• Family duty
• Marriage counsel

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is moral and social instruction, warning that certain harsh or dismissive statements are fruitless and cause grief within family life.

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

It frames responsible speech and compassionate duty: a householder (and by extension a king as guardian of society) should avoid counsel that yields no good and should protect dependents—here, emphasizing the father’s obligation to reduce, not amplify, familial suffering.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated; the takeaway is ethical—measured speech and care for dependents—rather than temple-building or rite-specific instruction.