Shloka 36

Matsya Purana — Genealogy and Classification of Sacred Fires

Devanagari script

प्रायश्चित्तेष्वभीमानी हृतं हव्यं भुनक्ति यः अद्भुतस्य सुतो वीरो देवांशस्तु महान्स्मृतः //

Transliteration

prāyaścitteṣvabhīmānī hṛtaṃ havyaṃ bhunakti yaḥ adbhutasya suto vīro devāṃśastu mahānsmṛtaḥ //

Translation

He who, in rites of expiation (prāyaścitta), swollen with arrogance, consumes the consecrated havya that has been taken away (or misappropriated), is remembered as the heroic son of Adbhuta—indeed a great being, a portion of the gods.

Word by Word

• प्रायश्चित्तेषु (prāyaścitteṣu): in expiatory rites

• अभीमानी (abhīmānī): arrogant, conceited

• हृतम् (hṛtam): taken away, seized, misappropriated

• हव्यम् (havyam): sacrificial oblation/offerings meant for the gods

• भुनक्ति (bhunakti): eats, consumes

• यः (yaḥ): whoever

• अद्भुतस्य (adbhutasya): of Adbhuta (a named figure)

• सुतः (sutaḥ): son

• वीरः (vīraḥ): hero, valiant one

• देवांशः (devāṃśaḥ): a divine portion, part of the gods

• तु (tu): indeed, but/emphatic

• महान् (mahān): great

• स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ): is remembered/said to be

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on prāyaścitta and ritual discipline (standard Matsya Purana dialogue frame).

Entities Mentioned

• Adbhuta
• Deva (gods)

Tags

• Prāyaścitta
• Dharma
• Ritual purity
• Havya
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on dharma within prāyaścitta, warning against arrogant misuse/consumption of consecrated offerings (havya) during expiatory rites.

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

It reinforces the duty to protect ritual property and maintain integrity in religious acts—kings and householders must prevent misappropriation of offerings and curb pride that corrupts expiation and public religious trust.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is central: havya is reserved for deities/ritual procedure, and consuming it improperly—especially in prāyaścitta—undermines the rite’s intended purification and is treated as a serious breach of sacrificial discipline.