Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

*अष्टक उवाच किं स्वित्कृत्वा लभते तात संज्ञां मर्त्यः श्रेष्ठां तपसा विद्यया वा तन्मे पृष्टः शंस सर्वं यथावच् छुभांल्लोकान् येन गच्छेत्क्रमेण //

Transliteration

*aṣṭaka uvāca kiṃ svitkṛtvā labhate tāta saṃjñāṃ martyaḥ śreṣṭhāṃ tapasā vidyayā vā tanme pṛṣṭaḥ śaṃsa sarvaṃ yathāvac chubhāṃllokān yena gacchetkrameṇa //

Translation

Aṣṭaka said: “Dear father, by doing what does a mortal obtain the highest renown and standing—by austerity, or by sacred knowledge? Since I have asked you, tell me everything rightly, by which one may proceed step by step to the auspicious worlds.”

Word by Word

• अष्टक (aṣṭaka): Aṣṭaka

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• किं स्वित् (kiṃ svit): what indeed

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having done / by doing

• लभते (labhate): obtains

• तात (tāta): dear father

• संज्ञाम् (saṃjñām): name, reputation, recognized status

• मर्त्यः (martyaḥ): a mortal

• श्रेष्ठाम् (śreṣṭhām): highest, excellent

• तपसा (tapasā): by austerity/penance

• विद्यया (vidyayā): by knowledge/sacred learning

• वा (vā): or

• तत् (tat): that

• मे (me): to me

• पृष्टः (pṛṣṭaḥ): asked/inquired

• शंस (śaṃsa): tell, declare

• सर्वम् (sarvam): all

• यथावत् (yathāvat): correctly, in due manner

• शुभान् लोकान् (śubhān lokān): auspicious worlds/realms

• येन (yena): by which

• गच्छेत् (gacchet): one may go

• क्रमेण (krameṇa): gradually, step by step

Speaker

• Aṣṭaka

Entities Mentioned

• Aṣṭaka

Tags

• Dharma
• Tapas
• Vidya
• Svarga
• Merit

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on human effort—especially austerity (tapas) and knowledge (vidyā)—as means to attain higher status and auspicious realms.

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

It frames a core dharma-question relevant to all social roles: whether disciplined practice (tapas) or right knowledge (vidyā) is the primary means to prosperity of reputation and posthumous progress—guiding kings and householders toward merit-based, gradual spiritual advancement.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu/temple-architecture rule is stated here; the verse is an ethical-philosophical inquiry that can undergird ritual life by emphasizing correct method (yathāvat) and gradual progress (krameṇa) toward auspicious results.