Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

धर्मागतं प्राप्य धनं यजेत दद्यात्सदैवातिथीन्भोजयेच्च अनाददानश्च परैरदत्तं सैषा गृहस्थोपनिषत्पुराणी //

Transliteration

dharmāgataṃ prāpya dhanaṃ yajeta dadyātsadaivātithīnbhojayecca anādadānaśca parairadattaṃ saiṣā gṛhasthopaniṣatpurāṇī //

Translation

Having obtained wealth through righteous means, one should perform worship and sacrifice (yajña); one should always give in charity and feed guests. And one should not accept what has not been given by others—this is the ancient Purāṇic instruction for the householder.

Word by Word

• dharma-āgatam: obtained through dharma/righteous means

• prāpya: having attained

• dhanam: wealth

• yajeta: should worship/perform sacrifice

• dadyāt: should give (in charity)

• sadā eva: always

• atithīn: guests

• bhojayet ca: and should feed

• anādadānaḥ: not taking/one who does not accept

• paraiḥ: by others

• adattam: not given

• sā eṣā: this indeed

• gṛhastha-upaniṣat: instruction/secret teaching for the householder

• purāṇī: ancient, belonging to the Purāṇa tradition

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on dharma)

Entities Mentioned

• Atithi (guest)
• Gṛhastha (householder)

Tags

• Grihastha Dharma
• Charity
• Atithi-seva
• Righteous Wealth
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it teaches practical gṛhastha-dharma—how wealth should be earned and used through worship, charity, and hospitality.

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

It directly outlines the householder’s core duties: earn wealth by dharma, perform yajña/worship, give charity, serve guests, and avoid taking anything not freely given—principles that also apply to a king’s personal conduct and public ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is the emphasis on yajña/worship supported by dharmic wealth and strengthened by dāna (charity) and atithi-bhojana (feeding guests); no Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated in this verse.