Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Yayāti in Amarāvatī-like Splendor: Devayānī Installed

Devanagari script

पृष्टास्तु साक्ष्ये प्रवदन्ति चान्यथा भवन्ति मिथ्यावचना नरेन्द्र ते एकार्थतायां तु समाहितायां मिथ्या वदन्तं ह्य् अनृतं हिनस्ति //

Transliteration

pṛṣṭāstu sākṣye pravadanti cānyathā bhavanti mithyāvacanā narendra te ekārthatāyāṃ tu samāhitāyāṃ mithyā vadantaṃ hy anṛtaṃ hinasti //

Translation

When questioned for testimony, they speak otherwise and become utterers of falsehood, O king. But when the matter is single and clear, a man who speaks falsely is surely struck down by untruth itself.

Word by Word

• pṛṣṭāḥ: when questioned

• tu: indeed

• sākṣye: in testimony/as witnesses

• pravadanti: they speak/declare

• ca: and

• anyathā: otherwise/contrary to fact

• bhavanti: they become

• mithyā-vacanāḥ: speakers of falsehood

• narendra: O king

• te: those (people)

• ekārthatāyām: when the issue has one meaning/one clear point

• tu: however

• samāhitāyām: when it is settled/clearly ascertained

• mithyā: falsely

• vadantam: one who speaks

• hi: indeed

• anṛtam: untruth/falsehood

• hinasti: harms/strikes down/destroys.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu/kingly listener on dharma and judicial truth)

Entities Mentioned

• Narendra (the King)
• Sākṣin (witness, implied)
• Anṛta (falsehood, personified as a force)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Judicial ethics
• Truthfulness
• Witness testimony
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it teaches rajadharma—how false testimony violates dharma and brings self-destruction through untruth.

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

It warns that witnesses may lie when examined; therefore a king must uphold rigorous justice, encourage truthful testimony, and treat perjury as a grave adharma that ruins social order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu or ritual procedure is stated here; the significance is ethical and judicial—truth in speech (satya) as a foundational discipline for society.