Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

स्ववीर्यजीवी वृजिनान्निवृत्तो दाता परेभ्यो न परोपतापी तादृङ्मुनिः सिद्धिमुपैति मुख्यां वसन्न् अरण्ये नियताहारचेष्टः //

Transliteration

svavīryajīvī vṛjinānnivṛtto dātā parebhyo na paropatāpī tādṛṅmuniḥ siddhimupaiti mukhyāṃ vasann araṇye niyatāhāraceṣṭaḥ //

Translation

Living by his own strength, turning away from sinful gain, giving to others and never causing others harm—such a sage, dwelling in the forest with disciplined food and conduct, attains the highest accomplishment.

Word by Word

• sva-vīrya-jīvī: one who lives by his own effort/inner strength

• vṛjina: sin, wrongdoing

• annivṛttaḥ (nivṛttaḥ): withdrawn, refraining

• dātā: a giver, generous

• parebhyaḥ: to others

• na: not

• para-upatāpī: one who causes affliction to others

• tādṛk: such, of that kind

• muniḥ: sage

• siddhim: attainment, spiritual accomplishment

• upaiti: reaches, attains

• mukhyām: foremost, highest

• vasan: dwelling

• araṇye: in the forest

• niyata: regulated, disciplined

• āhāra: food/intake

• ceṣṭaḥ: activity, conduct.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Muni (sage)

Tags

• Dharma
• Tapas
• Ahimsa
• Dana
• Moksha

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it teaches personal dharma—how disciplined, non-harming conduct leads to the highest spiritual attainment.

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

It sets a universal ethical standard: avoid sinful livelihood, be generous, and do not oppress others—principles that a king should enforce in governance and a householder should practice in daily life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the emphasis is on inner discipline—regulated diet, restrained conduct, and non-violence as the ‘ritual’ of ascetic life.