Shloka 8
Matsya Purana — Yayāti–Aṣṭaka Dialogue: Seniority
दुःखे न तप्येत सुखे न हृष्येत् समेन वर्तेत सदैव धीरः दिष्टं बलीय इति मन्यमानो न संज्वरेन्नापि हृष्येत् कदाचित् //
duḥkhe na tapyeta sukhe na hṛṣyet samena varteta sadaiva dhīraḥ diṣṭaṃ balīya iti manyamāno na saṃjvarennāpi hṛṣyet kadācit //
In sorrow one should not burn with anguish; in happiness one should not exult. The steadfast should always conduct oneself evenly, considering destiny (diṣṭa) to be the stronger power—never fretting, and never rejoicing excessively, at any time.
FAQs
Nothing directly about pralaya is stated here; the verse is a nīti instruction emphasizing inner steadiness and acceptance of what is ordained (diṣṭa), which can be applied as a mindset even during cosmic upheavals.
It teaches emotional discipline: a king should not be destabilized by victory or defeat, and a householder should not be crushed by loss or inflated by gain—both should act with balance and clear judgment, treating destiny as a factor while maintaining steady conduct.
No specific Vāstu, temple-building, iconography, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the takeaway is ethical—cultivating equanimity, which supports disciplined performance of rites and responsibilities.