Matsya Purana — Tārakāsura’s Austerity and Boon; Mobilization for War; Bṛhaspati’s Fourfold P..., Shloka 35

Devanagari script

लब्ध्वा जन्म न यः कश्चिद् घटयेत्पौरुषं नरः जन्म तस्य वृथा भूतम् अजन्मा तु विशिष्यते //

Transliteration

labdhvā janma na yaḥ kaścid ghaṭayetpauruṣaṃ naraḥ janma tasya vṛthā bhūtam ajanmā tu viśiṣyate //

Translation

ମାନବଜନ୍ମ ପାଇ ଯେ କେହି ପୌରୁଷ କରେନାହିଁ, ତାହାର ଜନ୍ମ ବ୍ୟର୍ଥ; ତାହାଠାରୁ ଅଜନ୍ମା (ଯିଏ ଜନ୍ମ ନେଇନାହିଁ) ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ବୋଲି ଗଣ୍ୟ।

Word by Word

• labdhvā: having obtained

• janma: birth (human birth)

• na: not

• yaḥ kaścit: whoever, anyone

• ghaṭayet: should undertake/bring about, accomplish

• pauruṣam: manly effort, personal endeavor

• naraḥ: a man/person

• janma tasya: his birth

• vṛthā bhūtam: becomes vain/futile

• ajanmā: one without birth (unborn

• tu: indeed/but

• viśiṣyate: is superior/excels.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, in a nīti/rajadharma-style discourse)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Niti
• Paurusha
• Karma
• Dharma

FAQs

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

It does not discuss pralaya directly; it teaches moral causality—human birth is meaningful only when used for purposeful effort aligned with dharma.

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

It frames duty as active endeavor: a king must govern decisively and a householder must practice discipline, charity, and righteousness—mere status or birth without effort is condemned as futile.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific vastu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is motivational—undertake prescribed works (including rituals and temple patronage) with sincere effort rather than inertia.