Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Duties of the Four Āśramas and the Power of Mauna

Devanagari script

अनग्निरनिकेतश् चाप्य् अगोत्रचरणो मुनिः कौपीनाच्छादनं यावत् तावदिच्छेच्च चीवरम् //

Transliteration

anagniraniketaś cāpy agotracaraṇo muniḥ kaupīnācchādanaṃ yāvat tāvadicchecca cīvaram //

Translation

A sage should live without maintaining a sacrificial fire and without a fixed home; moving about without attachment to lineage or clan, he should desire only so much clothing as is needed for a loincloth (kaupīna) and mere covering—no more.

Word by Word

• anagniḥ: without (maintaining) fire

• aniketaḥ: without a fixed dwelling/house

• ca api: and also

• agotracaraṇaḥ: moving about without concern for gotra/lineage (unattached to clan identity)

• muniḥ: sage, silent ascetic

• kaupīna-ācchādanam: a loincloth and minimal covering

• yāvat: as much as, to the extent that

• tāvat: only that much

• icchet: should desire

• ca: and

• cīvaram: cloth/robe (ascetic garment)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Muni
• Kaupina
• Civara

Tags

• Dharma
• Sannyasa
• Asceticism
• Vairagya
• Conduct

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it teaches inner preparedness for impermanence—living without fixed supports (home, possessions), which aligns with a worldview where all conditioned things can pass away.

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

It contrasts royal/householder responsibilities with the renunciant ideal: kings and householders sustain fire rites and homes, while the muni models restraint and non-attachment—an ethical standard that rulers are urged to honor and protect.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it implies the muni does not maintain the domestic/sacrificial fire and does not establish a permanent residence—so temple/house construction and household ritual infrastructure are intentionally renounced in favor of wandering simplicity.