Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

चत्वारि कर्माणि भयंकराणि भयं प्रयच्छन्त्ययथाकृतानि मानाग्निहोत्रमुत मानमौनं मानेनाधीतमुत मानयज्ञः //

Transliteration

catvāri karmāṇi bhayaṃkarāṇi bhayaṃ prayacchantyayathākṛtāni mānāgnihotramuta mānamaunaṃ mānenādhītamuta mānayajñaḥ //

Translation

Four acts become dreadful and bring fear when performed wrongly: the fire-offering (agnihotra) done with pride, silence (mauna) observed with pride, study pursued with pride, and sacrifice (yajña) undertaken with pride.

Word by Word

• catvāri: four

• karmāṇi: acts/rites

• bhayaṅkarāṇi: fearsome/terrible

• bhayam: fear

• prayacchanti: they bestow/produce

• ayathā-kṛtāni: done improperly/not as prescribed

• māna: pride/arrogance

• agnihotram: Agnihotra fire-oblation

• uta: and/also

• maunam: silence/vow of silence

• adhītam: studied/recited learning (Veda)

• yajñaḥ: sacrifice/ritual offering

Speaker

• Likely Sūta (narrator) conveying Matsya Purāṇa’s dharma teaching (contextual attribution within a didactic passage)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual
• Agnihotra
• Yajna
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it teaches ethical ritual discipline—warning that pride corrupts sacred acts and leads to भय (fearful consequences).

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

It advises both rulers and householders that Vedic duties—Agnihotra, vows like silence, scriptural study, and yajña—must be done with humility and correct procedure; performing them for ego (māna) undermines dharma and invites social and spiritual downfall.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is central: Agnihotra and yajña must be performed according to vidhi (proper injunctions) and without pride; the verse frames “wrongly done” (ayathākṛta) rites as spiritually dangerous.