Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

*अष्टक उवाच कथं तस्मिन्क्षीणपुण्या भवन्ति संमुह्यते मे ऽत्र मनो ऽतिमात्रम् किंविशिष्टाः कस्य धामोपयान्ति तद्वै ब्रूहि क्षेत्रवित्त्वं मतो मे //

Transliteration

*aṣṭaka uvāca kathaṃ tasminkṣīṇapuṇyā bhavanti saṃmuhyate me 'tra mano 'timātram kiṃviśiṣṭāḥ kasya dhāmopayānti tadvai brūhi kṣetravittvaṃ mato me //

Translation

Aṣṭaka said: “How do beings there become ‘exhausted of merit’ (kṣīṇa-puṇya)? My mind is greatly bewildered about this. What distinctive state do they attain, and to whose abode do they go? Tell me this indeed—for you are regarded by me as one who truly knows the sacred fields (kṣetra).”

Word by Word

• aṣṭaka uvāca: Aṣṭaka said

• katham: how

• tasmin: there/in that matter (in that realm/condition being discussed)

• kṣīṇa-puṇyāḥ: those whose merit has been used up

• bhavanti: become/come to be

• saṃmuhyate: is confused/is bewildered

• me: my

• atra: here/in this topic

• manaḥ: mind

• atimātram: exceedingly/greatly

• kiṃ-viśiṣṭāḥ: possessing what distinguishing feature/what special condition

• kasya: of whom/whose

• dhāma: abode/realm

• upayānti: they go/attain

• tat vai: that indeed

• brūhi: tell (me)

• kṣetra-vittvam: knowledge of sacred places/holy fields

• mataḥ: considered/regarded

• me: by me.

Speaker

• Aṣṭaka

Entities Mentioned

• Aṣṭaka
• Kṣetra (sacred field/place)
• Dhāma (abode/realm)

Tags

• Kshetra Mahatmya
• Karma
• Afterlife
• Punya
• Pilgrimage

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it focuses on post-mortem states—specifically the condition of beings who become kṣīṇa-puṇya (having spent their accumulated merit) and the destination (dhāma) they reach thereafter.

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

It underscores a core Matsya Purana ethic: merit is finite when based only on reward-seeking acts. A king or householder should pursue sustained dharma—charity, vows, ritual duty, and especially kṣetra-related practices (pilgrimage, worship)—with right understanding, not merely for temporary heavenly enjoyment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architectural rules are not mentioned in this verse; the ritual takeaway is the emphasis on kṣetra-vittva—authoritative knowledge of sacred places and their rites—implying that correct pilgrimage/worship procedures and understanding of holy sites are crucial to spiritual outcomes.