Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Conclusion of the Prayaga Mahatmya: Kingship Restored

Devanagari script

ऋषिभिः क्रतवः प्रोक्ता देवैश्चापि यथाक्रमम् न हि शक्या दरिद्रेण यज्ञाः प्राप्तुं महीपते //

Transliteration

ṛṣibhiḥ kratavaḥ proktā devaiścāpi yathākramam na hi śakyā daridreṇa yajñāḥ prāptuṃ mahīpate //

Translation

The ṛṣis have taught the sacrificial rites (yajñas), and the gods too have ordained them in proper sequence; yet, O king, one who is poor cannot truly undertake and bring to completion the performance of yajñas.

Word by Word

• ऋषिभिः (ṛṣibhiḥ): by the sages

• क्रतवः (kratavaḥ): sacrifices/solemn rites

• प्रोक्ता (proktāḥ): declared/taught

• देवैः (devaiḥ): by the gods

• च अपि (ca api): and also

• यथा-क्रमम् (yathākramam): in proper sequence/according to order

• न हि (na hi): indeed not

• शक्याः (śakyāḥ): possible/feasible

• दरिद्रेण (daridreṇa): by a poor man/for one lacking wealth

• यज्ञाः (yajñāḥ): yajñas/sacrificial offerings

• प्राप्तुम् (prāptum): to obtain/achieve/to accomplish

• महीपते (mahīpate): O lord of the earth (king).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu / the King (mahīpati) in instruction on dharma and ritual

Entities Mentioned

• Rishis
• Devas
• Yajña
• Mahīpati (King)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Yajna
• Dana
• RitualEconomy
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on dharma in the form of yajña-practice, stating that sacrifices are systematized by sages and gods, but require material means to execute.

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

It implies that a king must ensure prosperity and provide patronage (through protection, taxation used rightly, and gifts) so that householders and priests can actually perform yajñas; it also cautions that ritual duty depends on economic capacity, so supporting livelihoods becomes a dharmic responsibility.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it stresses that yajñas (and the kratavaḥ taught in ordered sequence) are practical disciplines requiring resources—fees, materials, offerings, and maintenance of the sacrificial system—highlighting the “ritual economy” behind Vedic procedure rather than temple architecture.