Shloka 44

Matsya Purana — Description of Gomedaka and Puṣkara Dvīpas; the Lokāloka Boundary; Ocean Tide...

Devanagari script

गोपायन्ते प्रजास्तत्र सर्वैः सहजपण्डितैः भोजनं चाप्रयत्नेन सदा स्वयमुपस्थितम् //

Transliteration

gopāyante prajāstatra sarvaiḥ sahajapaṇḍitaiḥ bhojanaṃ cāprayatnena sadā svayamupasthitam //

Translation

There, all people are safeguarded by those wise by nature; and food is ever at hand without exertion, as though it appears of its own accord.

Word by Word

• gopāyante: are protected/are safeguarded

• prajāḥ: the subjects/people

• tatra: there (in that realm)

• sarvaiḥ: by all

• sahaja-paṇḍitaiḥ: by naturally wise (innately learned) persons

• bhojanam: food/sustenance

• ca: and

• aprayatnena: without effort/without hardship

• sadā: always

• svayam: by itself/of its own accord

• upasthitam: present/available/at hand

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s discourse on ideal rule; framed teachings traditionally attributed to Lord Matsya’s instruction)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Ideal Kingdom
• Prosperity
• Social Welfare
• Protection of Subjects

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it describes an ideal, stable social order where protection and sustenance are naturally ensured through righteous governance and innate wisdom.

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

It reflects Rajadharma: a ruler’s foremost duty is the protection (gopālana) of subjects and the establishment of conditions where basic needs—especially food—are easily met; it also implies that society should be guided by the naturally wise, not merely the powerful.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the significance is indirect—prosperity and “food appearing without effort” is a hallmark of dharmic order, which elsewhere supports temple-building, charity, and yajña as sustainable civic life.