Shloka 31

Matsya Purana — Genealogy and Classification of Sacred Fires

Devanagari script

सहरक्षस्तु वै कामान् गृहे स वसते नृणाम् क्रव्यादग्निः सुतस्तस्य पुरुषान्यो ऽत्ति वै मृतान् //

Transliteration

saharakṣastu vai kāmān gṛhe sa vasate nṛṇām kravyādagniḥ sutastasya puruṣānyo 'tti vai mṛtān //

Translation

Along with the rākṣasa-spirit, desires indeed dwell in the houses of men. From him is born the fire called Kravyādāgni, which consumes the bodies of the dead.

Word by Word

sahatogether with

rakṣasa rākṣasa/demonic spirit

tuindeed/however

vaiindeed

kāmāndesires/objects of desire

gṛhein the house

saḥhe/that (presence)

vasatedwells/abides

nṛṇāmof men

kravyāda-agniḥthe ‘flesh-eating’ fire (cremation fire)

sutaḥson/offspring

tasyaof him/of that

puruṣānpersons/bodies (here: human bodies)

yaḥwho

attieats/consumes

vaiindeed

mṛtānthe dead

Speaker

Likely Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on dharma and ritual realities of household life and death rites)

Entities Mentioned

Rākṣasa (rakṣas)Kravyādāgni (cremation fire)

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic pralaya; it describes a micro-level reality of death and the consuming power of fire (Kravyādāgni) in human rites, highlighting mortality within worldly life.

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

It frames the house as a place where desire (kāma) and harmful influences may co-exist, implying the householder’s duty to regulate desire through dharma and to perform proper funerary rites, acknowledging death’s ritual consequences.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is central: Kravyādāgni denotes the cremation fire that consumes the dead, pointing to antyeṣṭi (funeral rites) and the sacred management of fire in dharmic practice rather than temple architecture.