Matsya Purana — Dynastic Genealogies: Paurava–Anu Lines, Shloka 55

Devanagari script

भाव्यमर्थं तु तं ज्ञात्वा माहात्म्यात्तमुवाच सा विपर्ययं तु त्वं लब्ध्वा अनड्वानिव वर्तसे //

Transliteration

bhāvyamarthaṃ tu taṃ jñātvā māhātmyāttamuvāca sā viparyayaṃ tu tvaṃ labdhvā anaḍvāniva vartase //

Translation

Nalalaman niya ang bagay na nakatakdang mangyari, nagsalita siya sa kanya dahil sa kanyang kadakilaan: “Ngunit ikaw, nang mapasailalim sa baluktot na pagkaunawa, ay kumikilos na parang torong hindi pa napapaamo.”

Word by Word

• bhāvyam: what is to be / destined

• arthaṃ: matter, meaning, purpose

• tu: indeed

• tam: that

• jñātvā: having known

• māhātmyāt: due to greatness, out of reverence for merit

• tam: to him

• uvāca: said, spoke

• sā: she

• viparyayaṃ: inversion, wrong notion, perverse understanding

• tu: however

• tvam: you

• labdhvā: having obtained, having fallen into

• anaḍvān: a bull

• iva: like

• vartase: you behave, you conduct yourself

Speaker

• A female interlocutor in the narrative (speaker ‘sā’), addressing a male addressee

Tags

• Dharma
• Ethical counsel
• Right understanding
• Narrative dialogue
• Conduct

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya or cosmology directly; it focuses on discernment of what is destined (bhāvyam) and warns against viparyaya (mistaken understanding) that leads to uncontrolled conduct.

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

It emphasizes mental discipline and correct judgment: a ruler or householder should not act stubbornly or impulsively, but listen to wise counsel, recognize what is appropriate, and avoid viparyaya that produces reckless behavior.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vastu Shastra, temple architecture, or ritual procedure is mentioned; the takeaway is ethical—clarity of understanding is a prerequisite for correctly performing any dharmic or ritual duty.