Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

यस्तु कामान्परित्यज्य त्यक्तकर्मा जितेन्द्रियः आतिष्ठेत मुनिर् मौनं स लोके सिद्धिमाप्नुयात् //

Transliteration

yastu kāmānparityajya tyaktakarmā jitendriyaḥ ātiṣṭheta munir maunaṃ sa loke siddhimāpnuyāt //

Translation

But he who, abandoning desires, having relinquished worldly action, and having mastered the senses, abides as a sage in the vow of silence (mauna)—he attains siddhi, spiritual accomplishment, in this very world.

Word by Word

• yaḥ tu: but he who

• kāmān: desires, sense-objects

• parityajya: having abandoned

• tyakta-karmā: one who has given up (worldly/ritual) actions

• jita-indriyaḥ: one who has conquered the senses

• ātiṣṭheta: should abide/should undertake firmly

• muniḥ: a sage

• maunam: silence, vow of silence (mauna)

• sa: he

• loke: in the world, in this life

• siddhim: perfection, accomplishment (spiritual attainment)

• āpnuyāt: would attain/obtains.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Muni
• Mauna
• Siddhi

Tags

• Dharma
• Renunciation
• Yoga
• Mauna
• Moksha

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it teaches inner dissolution of desire and sense-impulses—implying liberation is gained through renunciation and disciplined silence rather than cosmological events.

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

It frames an ideal of self-mastery: even a king or householder can apply it as restraint of desires and senses; full “tyakta-karmā” points to the renunciate stage, but its ethic supports righteous governance and disciplined living.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-building rule is stated here; the focus is ascetic practice (mauna) and inner discipline rather than ritual procedure or architectural prescription.