Matsya Purana — Pitṛ Worlds, Shloka 32

Devanagari script

अग्नीषोमयमानां तु कार्यमाप्यायनं बुधः अग्न्यभावे ऽपि विप्रस्य प्राणाव् अपि जले ऽथवा //

Transliteration

agnīṣomayamānāṃ tu kāryamāpyāyanaṃ budhaḥ agnyabhāve 'pi viprasya prāṇāv api jale 'thavā //

Translation

Für diejenigen jedoch, die das Agnīṣoma-Ritual vollziehen, schreiben die Weisen die Handlung des «āpyāyana» (rituelle Auffüllung/Stärkung) vor. Selbst wenn einem Brahmanen das Feuer fehlt, kann es mit Wasser als Ersatz ausgeführt werden, ja sogar indem man das Leben durch Wasser als Ersatzmittel erhält.

Word by Word

• agnīṣomayamānām: of those performing the Agnīṣoma sacrifice

• tu: indeed/but

• kāryam: should be done/is to be performed

• āpyāyanam: replenishment, strengthening, restorative rite (lit. causing to swell/increase)

• budhaḥ: the wise person/learned authority

• agny-abhāve: in the absence of fire

• api: even/also

• viprasya: of a brāhmaṇa (learned priest)

• prāṇān: vital breaths/life-force (here: sustaining life/ritual efficacy)

• api: even

• jale: in water/with water

• athavā: or alternatively.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, ritual-dharma discourse context)

Entities Mentioned

• Agni
• Soma
• Vipra (Brāhmaṇa)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual
• Śrauta
• Substitutions
• Agnīṣoma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on ritual pragmatics—how a prescribed rite (Agnīṣoma-related ‘āpyāyana’) may be maintained even when the usual medium (fire) is unavailable.

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

It reflects dharma as practical continuity: a householder or patron of rites should ensure prescribed observances are not abandoned due to obstacles; authorized substitutes (like water when fire is absent) preserve ritual duty and social-religious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it teaches the principle of substitution (pratinidhi) in Vedic practice—water can function as an alternative medium when fire-based performance is impossible, safeguarding the rite’s intended ‘strengthening/replenishment’ effect.