Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

सभायाममरा देव निकृष्टे ऽप्युपवेशिताः वेत्रहस्तैर् अजल्पन्तस् ततो ऽपहसितास्तु तैः //

Transliteration

sabhāyāmamarā deva nikṛṣṭe 'pyupaveśitāḥ vetrahastair ajalpantas tato 'pahasitāstu taiḥ //

Translation

O Deva, even the immortals, when made to sit in a lowly place in the assembly, fell silent with staffs in hand—and then they were mocked by those (present there).

Word by Word

• सभायाम् (sabhāyām): in the assembly/court

• अमराः (amarāḥ): the immortals, gods

• देव (deva): O Deva (vocative)

• निकृष्टे (nikṛṣṭe): in a low/mean place, inferior position

• अपि (api): even

• उपवेशिताः (upaveśitāḥ): having been seated/made to sit

• वेत्र-हस्तैः (vetra-hastaiḥ): with staffs in their hands

• अजल्पन्तः (ajalpantaḥ): not speaking, remaining silent

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereupon

• अपहसिताः (apahasitāḥ): laughed at, mocked, ridiculed

• तु (tu): and/indeed

• तैः (taiḥ): by them (those people)

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu) or the primary narrator continuing a rajadharma teaching sequence

Entities Mentioned

• Amarāḥ (Devas/Immortals)
• Sabhā (royal assembly)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Sabha-niti
• Court etiquette
• Honor and insult
• Speech restraint

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it illustrates social order and the consequences of dishonoring even exalted beings within an assembly.

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

It warns that improper seating and public humiliation in a royal court leads to silence, resentment, and ridicule—so a king must uphold dignity, correct protocol, and respectful hospitality (satkāra) to maintain harmony and authority.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the practical takeaway is “sabhā management” (court protocol)—arranging seating and conduct to prevent dishonor and disorder.