Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

यमामयमये नैव शरीरे त्वं विराजसे दण्डस्यालम्बनेनेव ह्य् अकृच्छ्रस्तु पदे पदे //

Transliteration

yamāmayamaye naiva śarīre tvaṃ virājase daṇḍasyālambaneneva hy akṛcchrastu pade pade //

Translation

In this body afflicted by Yama’s misery, you do not truly shine; yet by taking support—like a staff for the weak—you become free from hardship at every step.

Word by Word

• यमामयमये (yamāmayamaye): in a body pervaded by Yama’s affliction / deathly suffering

• नैव (naiva): not at all

• शरीरे (śarīre): in the body

• त्वं (tvaṃ): you

• विराजसे (virājase): shine, flourish, appear resplendent

• दण्डस्य (daṇḍasya): of a staff

• आलम्बनेन (ālambanena): by support, by leaning upon

• इव (iva): like

• हि (hi): indeed

• अकृच्छ्रः (akṛcchraḥ): without difficulty, untroubled

• तु (tu): then, indeed

• पदे पदे (pade pade): at every step

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu in a didactic passage on overcoming Yama-related suffering

Entities Mentioned

• Yama

Tags

• Yama
• Death
• Dharma
• Spiritual practice
• Afterlife

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic dissolution; it focuses on individual mortality and Yama-associated suffering, emphasizing a “support” (spiritual aid) that helps one proceed unhindered.

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

It implies that worldly station alone does not make one “shine” in a death-bound body; a king or householder must adopt dharmic and spiritual supports (right conduct, charity, worship, discipline) to move through life—and death—without stumbling.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-building rule is stated; the key image is metaphorical—spiritual practice functions like a staff (daṇḍa) that supports one’s passage step by step.