Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Dialogue: Seniority

Devanagari script

नानाभावा बहवो जीवलोके दैवाधीना नष्टचेष्टाधिकाराः तत्तत्प्राप्य न विहन्येत धीरो दिष्टं बलीय इति मत्वात्मबुद्ध्या //

Transliteration

nānābhāvā bahavo jīvaloke daivādhīnā naṣṭaceṣṭādhikārāḥ tattatprāpya na vihanyeta dhīro diṣṭaṃ balīya iti matvātmabuddhyā //

Translation

In the world of living beings, many and varied conditions arise, dependent on destiny, and one’s power to act often seems curtailed. Meeting each such outcome, the steadfast should not be cast down, understanding with clear self-judgment that what is allotted (by fate) is the stronger force.

Word by Word

• नानाभावाः: many diverse states/conditions

• बहवः: numerous

• जीवलोके: in the world of living beings

• दैवाधीनाः: dependent on destiny/providence

• नष्ट-चेष्टा-अधिकाराः: those whose authority/power to act seems lost or constrained

• तत्-तत्-प्राप्य: having attained/encountered this or that result

• न विहन्येत: should not be struck down/overwhelmed

• धीरः: the wise/steadfast one

• दिष्टम्: what is ordained/allotted (fate)

• बलीयः: stronger/more powerful

• इति: thus

• मत्वा: having considered

• आत्मबुद्ध्या: by one’s own understanding/discernment

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, ethical counsel on endurance and fate)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Daiva (Destiny)
• Diṣṭa (the allotted portion)

Tags

• Dharma
• Nīti
• Daiva
• Puruṣakāra
• Stoic endurance

FAQs

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

This verse is not describing pralaya directly; it frames a Puranic ethical principle: worldly conditions fluctuate under daiva (ordained forces), so one should endure outcomes without collapse—an attitude also valued in calamities like pralaya.

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

It advises emotional steadiness and disciplined judgment: a king should not abandon governance in misfortune, and a householder should not fall into despair when results differ from effort—accepting outcomes while maintaining dharma-oriented conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific vastu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is mental discipline—useful for ritual life and temple/service duties—performing prescribed acts without being shaken by success or failure.