Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

संकल्पपञ्चमानां तु आश्रमाणां यथाविधि इह स्वर्गापवर्गार्थं प्रवृत्तिरिह मानुषे //

Transliteration

saṃkalpapañcamānāṃ tu āśramāṇāṃ yathāvidhi iha svargāpavargārthaṃ pravṛttiriha mānuṣe //

Translation

But as for the āśramas—reckoned as five by intention and inner resolve—when they are followed here according to proper rule, human endeavor in this very world proceeds for the sake of heaven and for apavarga (liberation).

Word by Word

• saṅkalpa: intention, resolve

• pañcamānām: as five (counted as the fifth category)

• tu: indeed/but

• āśramāṇām: of the stages of life/ascetic disciplines

• yathā-vidhi: according to prescribed rule

• iha: here (in this world)

• svarga: heaven

• apavarga: liberation/final release

• artham: for the purpose of

• pravṛttiḥ: right engagement/undertaking/active pursuit

• iha: here

• mānuṣe: in human life/among humans

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Ashramas
• Svarga
• Apavarga

Tags

• Ashrama Dharma
• Moksha
• Svarga
• Human Duties
• Varna-Ashrama

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it focuses on human spiritual discipline—how regulated life-stages (āśramas) guide a person toward svarga (heavenly merit) and apavarga (liberation).

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

It frames pravṛtti (right worldly engagement) as legitimate when done yathāvidhi—according to dharmic rules—so a householder (and by extension a king who embodies social dharma) should uphold prescribed duties to generate merit (svarga) while also supporting conditions conducive to liberation (apavarga).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is the emphasis on yathāvidhi—performing prescribed disciplines and rites in the proper manner within one’s āśrama to attain higher aims.