Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

सामान्याद्वैकृताच्चैव दृष्टिभिन्नैः क्वचित्क्वचित् ब्राह्मणं कल्पसूत्राणि भाष्यविद्यास्तथैव च //

Transliteration

sāmānyādvaikṛtāccaiva dṛṣṭibhinnaiḥ kvacitkvacit brāhmaṇaṃ kalpasūtrāṇi bhāṣyavidyāstathaiva ca //

Translation

In some places, owing to differences of viewpoint, one finds teachings that diverge from what is general and from what is specialized; likewise there are the Brāhmaṇa texts, the Kalpa-sūtras, and the disciplines of commentary (bhāṣya) as well.

Word by Word

• sāmānyāt: from the general (common teaching)

• vaikṛtāt: from the specialized/modified (particularized teaching)

• ca eva: and indeed

• dṛṣṭi-bhinnaiḥ: by differences in viewpoint/interpretation

• kvacit kvacit: in some places, here and there

• brāhmaṇam: the Brāhmaṇa texts (Vedic prose explaining ritual)

• kalpa-sūtrāṇi: Kalpa-sūtras (ritual procedure manuals, including Śrauta/Smārta/Gṛhya)

• bhāṣya-vidyāḥ: the sciences/disciplines of bhāṣya (commentarial learning)

• tathā eva ca: likewise also.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) conveying the Matsya Purana’s teaching tradition (within the Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Brāhmaṇa
• Kalpa-sūtra
• Bhāṣya (commentary tradition)

Tags

• Vedic Literature
• Kalpa Sutras
• Hermeneutics
• Brahmanical Learning
• Shastra Classification

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it highlights how differing interpretive viewpoints lead to variant teachings and then lists key categories of Vedic and scholastic literature (Brāhmaṇas, Kalpa-sūtras, and commentarial disciplines).

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

It implies that dharma-practice should be grounded in recognized textual authorities—especially ritual procedure (Kalpa-sūtras) and explanatory traditions (Brāhmaṇas and bhāṣyas)—so a householder (and a king supporting public rites) follows regulated, text-based conduct rather than arbitrary opinion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The explicit significance is ritual: Kalpa-sūtras are procedural manuals governing sacrifices and domestic rites; the verse also legitimizes bhāṣya-based interpretation when ritual details vary by tradition or viewpoint.