Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Dialogue of Aṣṭaka and Yayāti: Exhaustion of Merit

Devanagari script

पुण्यां योनिं पुण्यकृतो विशन्ति पापां योनिं पापकृतो व्रजन्ति कीटाः पतंगाश्च भवन्ति पापान् न मे विवक्षास्ति महानुभाव //

Transliteration

puṇyāṃ yoniṃ puṇyakṛto viśanti pāpāṃ yoniṃ pāpakṛto vrajanti kīṭāḥ pataṃgāśca bhavanti pāpān na me vivakṣāsti mahānubhāva //

Translation

Doers of merit enter a meritorious womb, while doers of sin go to a sinful womb. Because of sins, one becomes a worm or an insect. I do not wish to speak further of these matters, O great-souled one.

Word by Word

• puṇyām: meritorious, auspicious

• yonim: womb, mode of birth, species/embodiment

• puṇya-kṛtaḥ: those who perform merit

• viśanti: enter, attain

• pāpām: sinful, inauspicious

• pāpa-kṛtaḥ: those who perform sin

• vrajanti: go, proceed to

• kīṭāḥ: worms, grubs

• pataṅgāḥ: insects (lit. flying/creeping creatures)

• ca: and

• bhavanti: become

• pāpāt: from/owing to sin

• na: not

• me: by me, for me

• vivakṣā asti: there is a desire to speak

• mahānubhāva: O great-souled/noble one

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu
• Karma
• Punya
• Papa

Tags

• Dharma
• Karmaphala
• Rebirth
• Ethics
• Punya-Papa

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it explains karmic causality—how merit and sin determine one’s next embodiment (yoni), including lower births like insects.

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

It reinforces the Matsya Purana’s ethical framework: rulers and householders must cultivate puṇya through dharmic conduct (charity, restraint, protection of beings) and avoid pāpa, since actions directly shape future birth and status.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu/temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse; its significance is moral and soteriological—ritual and right conduct are implied as sources of puṇya that elevate one’s yoni.