Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

कथयिष्यति विश्वात्मा वासुदेवो जगद्गुरुः अशेषयज्ञफलदम् अशेषाघविनाशनम् //

Transliteration

kathayiṣyati viśvātmā vāsudevo jagadguruḥ aśeṣayajñaphaladam aśeṣāghavināśanam //

Translation

Vāsudeva—the Universal Self, the Guru of the world—will expound this: He bestows the fruits of all sacrifices and destroys every sin without remainder.

Word by Word

• कथयिष्यति (kathayiṣyati): will narrate / will expound

• विश्वात्मा (viśvātmā): the universal Self / soul of the cosmos

• वासुदेवः (vāsudevaḥ): Vāsudeva (Vishnu/Krishna)

• जगद्गुरुः (jagadguruḥ): teacher of the world

• अशेष (aśeṣa): without remainder / entire

• यज्ञ (yajña): sacrifice / ritual offering

• फल (phala): fruit / result

• दम् (dam): giving / bestowing

• अशेष (aśeṣa): completely

• अघ (agha): sin / evil

• विनाशनम् (vināśanam): destroyer / remover

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) introducing the authority of Vāsudeva as the forthcoming teacher in the discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Vāsudeva
• Vishnu (as Viśvātmā)
• Jagadguru (epithet)

Tags

• Vishnu
• Yajna-phala
• Sin-destruction
• Bhakti
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it presents Vāsudeva as the cosmic Self (viśvātmā), implying supreme sovereignty over cosmic cycles, including dissolution, while emphasizing His role as teacher and purifier.

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

It frames Vāsudeva as the giver of all yajña-results and remover of sin, encouraging kings and householders to align ritual duty (yajña) with devotion and ethical conduct, since ultimate merit and purification are attributed to Him.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it asserts that the efficacy and fruit of sacrifices ultimately come from Vāsudeva; no specific Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated, but it supports the principle that rites gain their true phala through divine sanction.