Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Yayati and Indra: Counsel on Forbearance and Right Speech

Devanagari script

नारुन्तुदः स्यान्न नृशंसवादी न हीनतः परम् अभ्याददीत ययास्य वाचा पर उद्विजेत न तां वदेद्रुशतीं पापलौल्याम् //

Transliteration

nāruntudaḥ syānna nṛśaṃsavādī na hīnataḥ param abhyādadīta yayāsya vācā para udvijeta na tāṃ vadedruśatīṃ pāpalaulyām //

Translation

Let one not be a stinger with words, nor a speaker of cruel speech. Let him not seize what belongs to another, especially from one who is weak. A person should not utter any speech by which another is distressed—nor speak harsh, cutting words born of sinful eagerness.

Word by Word

• na: not

• aruntudaḥ: one who wounds/torments (with words), a stinger

• syāt: should be

• na: not

• nṛśaṃsa-vādī: a cruel/merciless speaker

• na: not

• hīnataḥ: from one who is inferior/weak/helpless

• param: another’s (property)

• abhyādadīta: should take/seize

• yayā: by which

• asya: his

• vācā: speech

• paraḥ: another person

• udvijeta: would be agitated/distressed

• na: not

• tām: that (speech)

• vaded: one should speak

• ruśatīm: harsh, cutting, hurtful

• pāpa-lau lyām: arising from sinful greed/eagerness for wrongdoing

Speaker

• Likely Sūta (narrator) relaying Dharma-instruction within Matsya Purana’s ethical discourse; specific dialogue marker not provided in the input.

Tags

• Dharma
• Sadachara
• Ahimsa (Speech)
• Ethics
• Self-restraint

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches everyday dharma—especially non-harm through speech and non-exploitation of the weak.

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

It sets a core standard for governance and household life: do not injure others through cruel words, and do not take advantage of those who are weaker—an ethical baseline for just rule and disciplined living.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is mentioned here; the focus is moral restraint in speech and conduct.