Matsya Purana — The Dialogue of Kacha and Devayani: Dharma, Shloka 15

Devanagari script

आपृच्छे त्वां गमिष्यामि शिवमस्त्वथ मे पथि अविरोधेन धर्मस्य स्मर्तव्यो ऽस्मि कथान्तरे अप्रमत्तोद्यता नित्यम् आराधय गुरुं मम //

Transliteration

āpṛcche tvāṃ gamiṣyāmi śivamastvatha me pathi avirodhena dharmasya smartavyo 'smi kathāntare apramattodyatā nityam ārādhaya guruṃ mama //

Translation

ഞാൻ നിന്നോട് വിടപറയുന്നു; ഇനി ഞാൻ പുറപ്പെടും. എന്റെ പഥത്തിൽ മംഗളം ഉണ്ടാകട്ടെ. ധർമ്മത്തിന് വിരോധമില്ലാതെ, മറ്റൊരു അവസരത്തിൽ എന്നെ സ്മരിക്കണം. എപ്പോഴും ജാഗ്രതയോടെയും പരിശ്രമത്തോടെയും ഇരുന്ന്, എന്റെ ഗുരുവിനെ നിരന്തരം ആരാധിക്കണം.

Word by Word

• āpṛcche: I take leave (I bid farewell)

• tvām: you

• gamiṣyāmi: I shall go/depart

• śivam astu: let there be auspiciousness

• atha: then/now

• me: my

• pathi: on the path/journey

• avirodhena: without opposition/without contradiction (i.e., without violating)

• dharmasya: of dharma/righteous duty

• smartavyaḥ asmi: I am to be remembered

• kathāntare: at another time/in another context (later in the discourse)

• apramatta: vigilant, not careless

• udyatā: active, diligent, ready in effort

• nityam: always/constantly

• ārādhaya: worship/revere/serve

• gurum: the guru/teacher

• mama: my.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Dharma
• Guru (teacher)

Tags

• Dharma
• Guru-bhakti
• Ethics
• Discipline
• Matsya-Manu Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it emphasizes disciplined dharma and remembrance of the divine teacher—virtues that preserve order and right conduct across times of change.

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

It instructs sustained vigilance (apramatta) and active responsibility (udyata), along with unwavering adherence to dharma—core duties for rulers and householders who must act without violating ethical law.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vastu or temple rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is continual reverence and service to the guru, a foundational principle that underlies correct performance of rites and traditional disciplines.