Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

*अष्टक उवाच कतिस्विद् देवमुनयो मौनानि कति चाप्युत भवन्तीति तदाचक्ष्व श्रोतुम् इच्छामहे वयम् //

Transliteration

*aṣṭaka uvāca katisvid devamunayo maunāni kati cāpyuta bhavantīti tadācakṣva śrotum icchāmahe vayam //

Translation

Aṣṭaka said: “How many are the sacred sages among the gods, and how many are the observances of mauna (silence) as well? Please explain that to us—we wish to hear.”

Word by Word

• अष्टक (aṣṭaka): Aṣṭaka

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• कति (kati): how many

• स्वित् (svit): indeed/please tell

• देवमुनयः (devamunayaḥ): divine sages (deva-sages)

• मौनानि (maunāni): vows/observances of silence

• कति (kati): how many

• च (ca): and

• अपि (api): also

• उत (uta): moreover/indeed

• भवन्ति (bhavanti): are/occur

• इति (iti): thus

• तत् (tat): that

• आचक्ष्व (ācakṣva): explain/tell

• श्रोतुम् (śrotum): to hear

• इच्छामहे (icchāmahe): we desire/wish

• वयम् (vayam): we.

Speaker

• Aṣṭaka

Entities Mentioned

• Aṣṭaka
• Deva-munis (divine sages)
• Mauna (vow of silence)

Tags

• Dharma
• Tapas
• Vrata
• Sage-dialogue
• Mauna

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it frames a dharma-focused inquiry, asking for authoritative enumeration of divine sages and the types/number of mauna (silence) observances.

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

It points to vrata-dharma: even householders and rulers are guided to learn recognized disciplines like mauna from scriptural authorities, using restraint of speech as a means of self-control and ethical governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the ritual significance is the mention of mauna as a formal observance (vrata/tapas) whose varieties and authority are being requested.