Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 40

Devanagari script

महार्थाः सिद्धसर्वार्था भवन्तः स्वल्पभाषिणः चाटुयुक्तमथो कर्म ह्य् अमरा बहु भाषत //

Transliteration

mahārthāḥ siddhasarvārthā bhavantaḥ svalpabhāṣiṇaḥ cāṭuyuktamatho karma hy amarā bahu bhāṣata //

Translation

Ceux qui parlent peu acquièrent une portée profonde et accomplissent tous les buts. Mais lorsque l’action se mêle à la flatterie, même les « immortels » finissent par parler abondamment.

Word by Word

• महार्थाः: of great import/weighty in meaning

• सिद्धसर्वार्थाः: those who have accomplished all purposes

• भवन्तः: become/come to be

• स्वल्पभाषिणः: speaking little/terse in speech

• चाटुयुक्तम्: joined with flattery/complimenting speech

• अथो: then/indeed

• कर्म: action/deed

• हि: for/indeed

• अमराः: the immortals (gods)/deathless ones

• बहु: much/a lot

• भाषत: speak/utter (are made to speak)

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu in rajadharma/niti (chapter-contextual attribution)

Entities Mentioned

• Amaras (Devas)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Niti
• Speech ethics
• Conduct
• Self-control

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a niti teaching emphasizing that restraint in speech leads to effective achievement, while flattery inflates talk and weakens purposeful action.

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

For a king (and ministers), it recommends measured speech and results-focused conduct; flattery-driven behavior creates excessive talk, political distortion, and loss of clear dharmic decision-making.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated; indirectly, it supports any discipline (including temple works) by valuing concise instruction and avoiding flattering speech that can corrupt execution.